FAQ — Casa de Luz - Alegria - Amor

Utilities

Water:

Casa de Luz has a 75-foot deep water well that provides water for the entire property and the pool, with city water as back-up. We have the water quality tested periodically, and so far the results have always been well within safety limits (better than city water ,which is also safe). Nevertheless, we recommend to use bottled water for drinking and for cooking, but we always use tap-water for tooth-brushing and hygiene purposes. 

The well water is pumped into the 1000-liter (280 gal) cold water tank located above the upper bathroom. This process is fully automatic.  In rare circumstances it is conceivable that something breaks down in the water system.  Such a situation is first noticed when the cold tap water runs dry, or when no water comes out of the faucets outside in the perimeter wall. You will then still have a substantial amount of of hot water (perhaps 150 gal) to get by with for a while, but alarming the Manager as soon as reasonable would be advised. As an immediate remedy, the Manager will come and switch the system over to regular city water supply, while the well problem is being tended to. 

Amor and Alegria do not have a well but are fed by regular city water, supplied via a tank located in the roof of the big residence above. Hot water is only available in the bathroom from the electric heating element in the shower head. While the tap water is considered safe, we recommend to use bottled water for drinking and for cooking, but we always use tap-water for tooth-brushing and hygiene purposes. 

Electricity:

Electric power supply is at 220V, 50 Hz. If you have a high-wattage gadget that is made for 110V, it will burn out the moment you connect it to an outlet, even though the plug might fit perfectly into the outlet.  BE AWARE!!!  Your U.S. American hair dryer, curling iron, or similar item will be rubbish the moment you plug it in -- except if it has one of those electronic power adapters that automatically switch to whatever voltage they see. To ascertain this, simply look at the fine print on the device. If it says something like "100 - 240V; 50/60 Hz," you are OK to plug it in, else keep it in your suitcase. In Casa de Luz (but not in Alegria or Amor) we do have a couple of 220V --> 110 V step-down transformers, but they are only good for up to 300 Watts, which is likely less than the wattage required by your hair dryer or curling iron, and if you plug it in, you will then blow the fuse of the transformer ... :).

The stability of the electricity network in Abadiania leaves much to be desired. Electric power outages do occasionally occur in Abadiania, but they are usually of short duration, mostly just a few minutes.

In Casa de Luz (but not in Alegria or Amor), in order to protect sensitive electronic equipment from power surges, we installed a battery back-up device that produces stable 110V to a power strip located on a small bench in the dining area. The Internet modem, router, and telephone are plugged into that power strip.  It is OK to also plug your laptop or iPhone charger into that outlet strip, but do not use it for any 110V devices that use more power, such as a hair dryer or curling iron.  

Gas:

The kitchen range is powered by bottled gas (propane). One bottle may last as long as a year or longer under average use conditions. We do supply those bottles, but should it run empty during your stay, we would need to be notified. Someone will then come and install a new bottle on short notice.

Sewer:

Like most private homes in the area, Casa de Luz has its own septic tank. It functions exceedingly well and free of maintenance. Alegria and Amor have a common septic tank located underneath their common laundry area. As is customary in essentially all of South America, no paper products or other manufactured products may be flushed down the toilet. We ask our guests to please cooperate.  

TV:

We have no TV and no TV subscription on our premises. You may wish to use your laptop for streaming. Our free Internet use is unlimited but may be marginal for sophisticated streaming.

Internet:

Our internet is free and limitless, but speeds a low and bandwidth problems are not uncommon during peak hours.

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