Electricity Cost Calculator

How much does electricity cost per kWh in South Africa in 2026?

The Eskom Homelight Prepaid tariff is 271 cents per kWh (R2.71/kWh) effective 1 April 2026, after NERSA approved an 8.76% increase. Municipality customers (City Power, Cape Town, eThekwini, Tshwane) pay different rates — typically 15–30% higher — as municipalities add their own distribution markup on top of Eskom's bulk supply price.

How much does it cost to run a geyser per month in South Africa?

A typical 150-litre electric geyser uses about 2–3 kWh per hour of heating. At 271c/kWh, running a geyser for 2 hours per day costs roughly R33/month. A geyser accounts for 30–40% of a typical household's electricity bill. Installing a geyser timer or solar geyser blanket can cut geyser electricity use by 40–60%.

How much does a bar heater or fan heater cost to run per month?

A 2,000W bar or fan heater running for 3 hours per day costs approximately R49/month at 271c/kWh. For 8 hours per day (e.g. all day in winter), the cost rises to R132/month. Electric heaters are among the most expensive appliances to run — a good blanket or heat pump is significantly more cost-effective.

How much electricity does a fridge use per month in South Africa?

A modern fridge/freezer uses around 150W but runs continuously — about 3.6 kWh per day or 110 kWh per month, costing roughly R30/month at 271c/kWh. Older, larger, or poorly insulated fridges can use 2–3× more. Keep the fridge well-stocked and ensure door seals are intact to minimise consumption.

What uses the most electricity in a South African home?

The biggest electricity consumers in a typical South African home are: 1) Electric geyser (30–40% of the bill), 2) Electric stove/oven, 3) Tumble dryer, 4) Space heaters in winter, 5) Air conditioner in summer. Lighting, TVs, and laptops are relatively minor — replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs has already been done in most homes.

How can I reduce my electricity bill in South Africa?

The highest-impact changes are: (1) Install a geyser timer — restrict heating to 2× daily. (2) Use a microwave or air fryer instead of a full stove/oven. (3) Avoid tumble dryers — line-dry laundry. (4) Replace heaters with a heat pump or well-insulated room. (5) Consider a solar geyser or PV system — payback is typically 5–8 years at current Eskom rates.