Save Electricity at Home in South Africa: The Appliances That Cost the Most

Electricity bills hurt because they are hard to see. You do not know which appliance caused what.

To save electricity, a few changes on the biggest users do most of the work, so start there.

Which appliances use the most electricity?

Here is a hypothetical month at R3 per kWh. Your tariff and appliances will differ, so check the label on yours and your municipal bill.

The geyser and heaters dominate the bill in most homes. A kettle looks small, but it adds up when it is boiled again and again.

Your meter or prepaid history shows which days cost most. Switch off one big item for a week and watch the difference.

How do you save electricity on the geyser?

• Lower the thermostat to about 60 degrees Celsius. Hotter is wasteful.
• Use a timer so it heats at set times only.
• Fit a geyser blanket to keep heat in.
• Insulate the hot water pipes.
• Fix leaks. A dripping hot tap wastes energy and water.
• Shorten showers.

If a timer cut the geyser’s running time by a third, the hypothetical bill above falls by about R270 a month.

How do you cut heating costs and save electricity?

• Use blankets, layers and warm clothing first.
• Heat one room only, and close the door.
• Seal gaps around doors and windows.
• Use curtains to hold heat in.

See winter budget for more ideas.

How do you cook with less energy?

Put lids on pots, match the pot to the plate and cook in batches. A slow cooker or pressure cooker uses less than an oven. Avoid opening the oven door, which lets the heat out.

Quick wins to save electricity every day

• Switch to LED bulbs.
• Switch off lights and unplug chargers and TVs on standby.
• Dry washing in the sun.
• Keep the fridge door shut and its coils clean.
• Wash with cold water where you can.

Write your meter reading each week for a month. Seeing the numbers makes it easier to find what costs the most.

How do you manage prepaid electricity?

Buy in smaller amounts through the month so you do not run out and spend the last money on a large purchase. Keep a small emergency amount for the end of the month.

Some municipalities offer free or discounted basic amounts to qualifying households. Ask yours, and read the tariff information on the Eskom website if you are an Eskom customer.

What if you cannot pay your bill?

Contact your municipality or utility before disconnection and ask about an arrangement. See what to do when you cannot pay your debts.

Avoid borrowing for electricity unless it is an emergency. A first one-month R1,000 loan can cost about R309 at the legal maximums. See emergency loans.

What about solar and gas?

Solar and gas can reduce bills, but the upfront cost is high. Compare quotes, check what the system will cover and avoid borrowing for it unless you have worked out the payback. See cost of living.

How can you find the biggest way to save electricity in a week?

You do not need special equipment. A simple test with your meter shows where the units go. If you have a prepaid meter, you can read the units remaining at the same time each day. If you have a credit meter, read the dial.

In this hypothetical example, the geyser accounts for about 5 kWh a day, which is about 150 kWh a month, or R450 at R3 per kWh. The standby test saves 1 kWh a day, about R90 a month. Your own readings will differ.

The aim is to see which change matters most, so that you start there.

What does switching to LED bulbs save?

Lighting is a small cost per bulb but adds up across a house. Here is a hypothetical comparison for ten bulbs, each used five hours a day, at R3 per kWh.

The saving pays for the bulbs within months. Replace the ones you use most first, such as the kitchen and lounge. LEDs also last longer, so you buy fewer of them over time.

Check the packaging for watts and lumens, and choose a brightness that suits the room.

How much does standby power cost?

Devices that sit on standby use a small amount all day and night. Here is a hypothetical example: ten devices, each using 5 watts on standby, for 24 hours a day.

R108 a month is R1,296 a year for nothing. Plug TVs, decoders, game consoles and chargers into a power strip with a switch, and turn it off when you leave or go to bed. It takes seconds and requires no spending.

Does your municipality’s tariff change the advice?

Some municipalities charge more per unit as you use more, in blocks. If yours does, cutting a heavy user saves at the higher rate, so the saving may be bigger than the simple sum.

Ask your municipality or look at your bill for the tariff, and see which block you fall into. The same is true for prepaid meters, where the unit price can change as you buy more in a month. Check, and plan your purchases accordingly.

Is solar or gas worth it if you want to save electricity? A payback example

A bigger investment needs a clear calculation. Here is a hypothetical example. A system costs R15,000 and saves about R400 a month on your bill.

If you borrow to pay for it, the interest extends the payback. Get at least two quotes, check what the system will cover and look at the warranty.

A cheaper first step, such as a geyser timer, may deliver most of the saving for a fraction of the cost. Use these steps to save electricity before spending on large equipment.

Frequently asked questions