Six ways to save on your electricity bill

South African residents urged to implement electricity tips as price hike comes into effect.

By Angelique Ruzicka, editor, Justmoney

This month consumers were hit by a 31 cent a litre hike in the price of petrol and those buying electricity directly through municipalities saw an average price rise of around 8% in the cost of electricity (see below).

MyPrepaid – an online prepaid service for purchasing electricity, airtime and data – said that consumers will have to take heed and apply the basic principles of saving electricity to avoid paying more.

Domenico Deidda, director of myPrepaid says, “As of 2015, we can expect electricity price increases generally in line with inflation which means that, if you have not already incorporated electricity saving tips at home or even in your business, there is no better time to do so than now.”

Follow these tips to save on electricity:

1. Insulating your home will help you save on electricity. Heat can escape from your roof, gaps around doors and large windows without curtains. If you retain the heat in your home you will need less electricity to keep warm this winter.

2. Installing a heat pump allows you to save up to 67% on the cost of heating your water and can be easily installed.

3. If your clothes are not too dirty, skipping the pre-wash cycle on your washing machine will reduce the amount of electricity used when doing your washing.

4. When cooking, use a pot with a thick base and cook with the lid on the pot – this method will retain heat and will also allow for the stove top to be turned off a few minutes before your food is ready. Also, remember to match the size of your pot to the correct stove plate size as this will too save on your electricity spend.

5. Ensure that the seal on your fridge door closes correctly. Don’t keep the door of the fridge open for longer than is necessary.

6. Buy an induction stove: It uses 50% less power than a conventional one and is a worthwhile and cost saving investment.

The unfortunate reality for consumers is that electricity prices will continue to soar. “This is a troubling picture,” says Deidda. “Taking practical steps to being energy efficient is quite simply the only solution to the current electricity crisis we as South African’s find ourselves in.”

The tariff increase for 2014/15 as approved by Nersa on 19 November 2013 were implemented 1 April 2014 for Eskom direct customers and on 1 July 2014 for municipalities as follows:

Tariff Category	Average percentage Increase
Local authority (effective 1 July 2014)	8.06%
Non-local authority (effective 1 April 2014)	8.00%
Urban tariffs	8.00%
Rural tariffs	8.00%
Homelight 20A · Homelight 20A - first block · Homelight 20A – second block	5.85% 5.6% 7.6%
Homelight 60A	8.00%
All Homepower	8.00%
Overall average	8.00%

Source: Eskom.

Six ways to save on your electricity bill

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