⚡ Built for South Africa • 2026 Eskom Tariffs

How Much Does Your Geyser Cost to Run?

Calculate exact costs for geysers, aircons, and 30+ appliances. See what's draining your wallet and what to switch off first. Free calculator with updated SA tariffs.

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Current tariff: R 3.32/kWh

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powersorted.co.za • Free SA Electricity Calculator

How to Cut Your Electricity Bill

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Geyser (Biggest Culprit)

  • Install a timer - Heat only 2-3 hours/day (morning + evening)
  • Turn down temp - 55-60°C is enough (not 70°C)
  • Insulate pipes - Reduces heat loss by 30%
  • Blanket it - Geyser blanket saves 10-15%
Save: R 300-500/month
❄️

Air Conditioning

  • Set to 23-24°C - Every degree lower = 10% more cost
  • Clean filters monthly - Dirty filters use 15% more power
  • Close doors/curtains - Keep cool air in
  • Use fans first - R 2/day vs R 40/day for aircon
Save: R 200-400/month
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Pool Pump

  • Run 4-6 hours max - Not 8+ hours
  • Use a timer - Automate off-peak running
  • Upgrade to variable speed - 70% savings vs single speed
  • Cover the pool - Reduces cleaning need
Save: R 150-300/month
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Kitchen Appliances

  • Kettle: Boil only what you need
  • Stove: Use lids - Heats 3x faster
  • Oven: Batch cook - One session instead of multiple
  • Fridge: Keep it full - Retains cold better
Save: R 100-200/month
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Lighting

  • Switch to LED - 80% less power than incandescent
  • Use daylight - Open curtains, turn off lights
  • Motion sensors - For bathrooms, passages
  • Dim where possible - Saves power + bulb life
Save: R 50-150/month
🧺

Laundry

  • Cold water wash - 90% of washing machine energy is heating water
  • Line dry - Tumble dryer is a power hog (R 8-12/load)
  • Full loads only - Don't waste on half loads
  • Spin cycle before drying - Removes more water
Save: R 150-250/month

🔋 Pro Tips

Phantom load: Appliances on standby still use power. Unplug TVs, decoders, phone chargers when not in use. Can save R 50-100/month.
Off-peak usage: If you have time-of-use billing, run dishwashers, washing machines, pool pumps between 22:00-06:00 (cheaper rates).
Solar geyser ROI: R 15k-25k upfront, saves R 300-500/month. Pays for itself in 3-5 years, then it's pure savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A standard 150L geyser (3-4kW) costs R390-520/month at 2026 Eskom rates (R3.32/kWh). That's R13-17 per day. A geyser timer can save R150-250/month by heating only when needed.

How much does an air conditioner cost per hour?

A 3.5kW split-unit aircon costs R11.62/hour (2026 Eskom tariffs). Running it 8 hours/day = R2,789/month. A fan uses only 75W and costs R0.25/hour - 46x cheaper than aircon.

What appliances use the most electricity?

Top 5: 1) Geyser (3-4kW, R390-520/month), 2) Aircon (3.5kW, R2,789/month if run 8h/day), 3) Pool pump (1.5kW, R358/month), 4) Tumble dryer (2.5kW, R8.30/load), 5) Oven (2.5kW, R8.30/hour). These 5 account for 60-80% of your bill.

What's the cheapest way to heat water?

Solar geyser: R200-300/month vs R390-520 for electric. Next best: geyser timer (saves R150-250/month), gas geyser (R250-350/month), or heat pump (R200-280/month = 60% saving vs electric).

How much does standby power cost?

Vampire power costs R50-150/month for average SA households. Common culprits: TV decoder (5-15W = R12-36/month), microwave clock (3W = R7/month), phone chargers (2-5W each). Switch off at the wall to save.

What's the difference between Eskom and municipality rates?

2026 rates: Eskom Direct R3.32/kWh, Cape Town R3.38/kWh, Johannesburg R3.45/kWh, eThekwini R3.29/kWh, Tshwane R3.42/kWh. Municipalities add 5-10% markup for infrastructure costs.

How can I reduce my electricity bill by 30-50%?

Top 5 savings: 1) Geyser timer (R150-250/month), 2) Replace aircon with fans (R2,500/month), 3) Gas cooking (R200-300/month), 4) Cold water laundry (R100/month), 5) LED lights (R80-120/month). Total: R3,000-4,000/month savings.

Is solar worth it in 2026?

Yes. Solar panels: 5-7 year payback at current tariffs. Solar geyser: 3-5 year payback. After payback = pure savings. Plus load shedding protection. With tariffs rising 12-15% annually, payback periods are shrinking.