Utilities

 

Electricity

UTE is the electric company. You can walk in (and take a number to wait) to transfer service to your name or set up new service.

There is a helpful website and mobile app.

You can pay your UTE bill online with a local card (not foreign) or you can pay in person with cash at Abitab (there’s also a small Abitab inside the main Devoto).

Choosing a Tariff Level

Most people can save money on their UTE electric bill by switching from the default single tariff and choosing a peak time window.

If you pay UTE for electricity and haven’t looked at your tariff recently, you’re probably on the default “Tarifa Residencial Simple” (single rate, same price all day).

UTE offers time-based tariffs that let you pay much less for electricity most of the day, as long as you avoid heavy usage during one 4-hour weekday peak window.

Those tariffs levels are:

–Doble Horario (2 prices: expensive + cheap)

–Triple Horario (3 prices: expensive + medium + very cheap)

You don’t need to use less electricity; you just need to shift some usage outside the peak window.

How the peak window works:

You choose 4 consecutive hours, Monday–Friday, between 5:00 pm and 11:00 pm

Electricity is most expensive only during those 4 hours. All other times are cheaper.

Weekends and holidays have no peak penalty.

Most people find it easiest to choose the latest window (7:00–11:00 pm) so they can still cook, shower, and run appliances earlier in the evening at the cheaper rate.

Doble vs Triple (in plain English):

Doble Horario

Cheap electricity most of the day

Expensive electricity only during your 4-hour peak window

Simple and easy for most households

Triple Horario

Cheapest electricity overnight (midnight–7 am)

Medium price during daytime/evening

Most expensive during the same 4-hour peak window

Best for heavy users who run appliances overnight

Most people start with Doble because it’s simpler and still saves money.

How to check or change this your tariff and time:

Open the UTE app

  • Look for Tarifa / Horario Punta
  • If you’re on Simple, switch to Doble or Triple
  • Choose your 4-hour peak window
  • Save and wait for confirmation

Bottom line:

If you’re willing to avoid heavy electricity use during one 4-hour weekday window, you can probably lower your UTE bill without changing how much power you use overall.

Water Company

OSE is the water company.

You can pay your OSE bill online with a local card (not foreign) or you can pay in person with cash at Abitab (there’s also a small Abitab inside the main Devoto).

Wi-Fi

Antel is the local wi-fi company. You can walk in (and take a number to wait) to transfer service to your name or set up new service. You can pay your bill online with most local or foreign cards.

Mobile Phone Service

Antel is the primary mobile carrier in Piriápolis. You can walk in (and take a number to wait) to transfer service to your name or set up new service. You can pay your bill online with most local or foreign cards.