Solar-Powered Luxury: Free Pool Heating, No Electricity Fees, and FREE EV Charging at Congo Breeze

Congo Breeze is one of the only vacation rentals in Cape Coral, Florida powered by a rooftop solar panel system — and guests feel the difference from the moment they arrive. There are no pool heating fees, no electricity surcharges, and no bill for running the air conditioning, spa, or appliances at full capacity. A complimentary Level 2 EV charging station with a Tesla adapter is available in the garage. It is all included in your nightly rate. What other Cape Coral rentals charge as expensive add-ons, Congo Breeze offers as standard — because our solar investment means we do not have to pass those costs on to you.

Recognized as One of America's Most EV-Friendly Vacation Rentals

Congo Breeze has received national media recognition as one of the coolest and most EV-friendly vacation rentals in the country. The feature highlighted its rooftop solar system and complimentary Level 2 EV charging, a rare combination in vacation rentals.


Hosts Mike and Patti Bartel added this infrastructure to reduce the property’s environmental impact and give guests the benefit of free electricity and free EV charging.

Video by Andy Slye

How the Solar Panel System at Congo Breeze Benefits You

Congo Breeze uses rooftop solar panels to generate electricity year-round in sunny Cape Coral. The system helps offset the home’s power use, including the pool heater, spa heater, air conditioning, appliances, smart TVs, and EV charger. Guests can enjoy the home with no surprise utility charges at checkout.

Covered backyard pool with spa, brick patio, lounge area, and screened enclosure

Free Heated Saltwater Pool — Included Year-Round


The Congo Breeze pool is a resort-style heated saltwater pool with an attached spa. Both the pool and the spa are heated and available to guests throughout their entire stay at no additional charge.

  • Pool heating is often an added fee at Cape Coral vacation rentals, usually around $30 to $50 per day. That can add $200 to $350 to a one-week stay, and the fee is sometimes not disclosed until after booking.
  • Some rentals do not offer pool heating at all, especially during cooler months from October through April.
  • Congo Breeze never charges a separate pool heating fee.The saltwater system is gentler on skin and eyes, which is a plus for guests with sensitive skin or young children.
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Aerial view of a house with dark solar panels, a screened pool enclosure, and a green lawn.

No Electricity Fees or Surcharges — Ever


Congo Breeze does not charge guests for electricity usage, and there is no weekly allotment or post-checkout utility bill. The home’s solar panel system helps offset energy needs, so guests can enjoy a comfortable stay without worrying about extra power costs.

  • No weekly electricity limit
  • No overage charges
  • No post-checkout electricity bill
  • Guests can use the air conditioning at their preferred temperature
  • Pool heater and spa use are included
  • Washer and dryers can be used without concern
  • Guests can charge devices and cook in the full kitchen
  • TVs can be used throughout the home
  • Solar power helps reduce the home’s reliance on grid electricity
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Pool, Spa, and Utility Savings at Congo Breeze

What to Expect From the Congo Breeze Pool and Spa

  • Heated saltwater pool, available year-round

  • Attached heated spa

  • Resort-style lanai with covered outdoor seating

  • Outdoor shower on the lanai


  • 65-inch Smart TV on the lanai, audible from the pool


  • Pool and spa heating included — no daily fee, no request required


  • Pool maintenance handled by the hosts — no action needed from guests

The Real Cost of Electricity Fees at Other Cape Coral Rentals

A typical one-week stay at a Cape Coral vacation rental with electricity monitoring and pool heating fees could look like this:



  • Pool heating fee: $35/day × 7 days = $245

  • Electricity overage: estimated $75–$150 in summer months

  • Total hidden costs added to your stay: $320–$395

At Congo Breeze, both of those line items are $0

Complimentary Level 2 EV Charging Station

Congo Breeze includes a ChargePoint Level 2 EV charger in the attached garage at no extra charge for guests. It comes with a Tesla adapter and is compatible with all Level 1 and Level 2 EVs, including Tesla, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Rivian R1T and R1S, Chevrolet Bolt, Hyundai Ioniq, Kia EV6, BMW i-series, and other Level 2-compatible vehicles.


A Level 2 charger typically adds about 25 to 40 miles of range per hour, so most guests can charge overnight. The charger is also networked through the ChargePoint app, allowing sessions to be monitored and started if desired.

EV Charger Details at a Glance

  • Charger type: Level 2 (240V)
  • Brand: ChargePoint
  • Location: Attached garage
  • Tesla adapter: Included
  • Cost to guests: Complimentary — no charge
  • App: Optional ChargePoint app for monitoring
  • Compatibility: All Level 1 and Level 2 compatible electric vehicles

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is the pool heated at Congo Breeze and is there an extra fee?

    Congo Breeze includes free pool heating as part of every stay. The resort-style heated saltwater pool and spa on the lanai are available at no additional charge, year-round. 


    This is a significant advantage over many Cape Coral vacation rentals that either don't offer heated pools or charge $30–$50 per day extra for pool heat.


    The saltwater pool is gentler on skin and eyes than traditionally chlorinated pools and is maintained to comfortable swim temperatures throughout Florida's winter and spring shoulder seasons.

  • Does Congo Breeze charge guests for electricity use?

    No. Congo Breeze does not charge guests for electricity consumption. There are no weekly allotments, no overage rates, and no post-checkout utility bills. The property's rooftop solar panel system offsets the home's energy consumption, which allows the hosts to provide unlimited use of all systems — including the pool heater, spa, air conditioning, appliances, EV charger, and entertainment systems — without passing electricity costs on to guests.

  • What type of EV charger does Congo Breeze have?

    Congo Breeze has a ChargePoint Level 2 (240V) EV charging station located in the attached garage. It is compatible with all Level 1 and Level 2 electric vehicles and includes a Tesla adapter. Charging is complimentary for all guests. A Level 2 charger typically delivers 25–40 miles of range per hour, so most guests can fully charge their vehicle overnight.

  • Is Congo Breeze an eco-friendly vacation rental?

    Yes. Congo Breeze is powered by a rooftop photovoltaic solar panel system, which reduces the property's reliance on grid electricity and lowers its carbon footprint. The combination of solar energy production and complementary EV charging makes Congo Breeze one of the most environmentally responsible luxury vacation rentals in Cape Coral, Florida. The property has been featured in national media as one of the most EV-friendly vacation rentals in the country.

  • Does the saltwater pool require any setup or fee to use?

    No. The heated saltwater pool and spa are fully operational for guests upon check-in. No setup, request, or daily fee is required. The pool uses a saltwater chlorination system, which is gentler on skin and eyes than traditional chlorine pools. Pool maintenance and chemical balancing are handled entirely by the hosts; guests simply enjoy the pool.