Written By: Jemosop Faith

Every month, South Africans wait nervously for their electricity bills  and each time, the numbers seem more shocking than before. As Eskom adjusts tariffs and load-shedding disrupts daily life, understanding your actual power usage has never been more important.

And yet, most South Africans don’t actually know how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) they consume in a month, let alone how to cut back.

In this report, we break it down from urban vs. rural usage to updated Eskom tariffs, and how to track and reduce consumption intelligently. Because this is no longer just a budgeting issue. It’s a survival strategy.

Average Monthly Electricity Usage in South Africa

The first step is understanding what “normal” usage even looks like.

Note: Prices vary depending on prepaid vs municipal billing and tariff zones.

Urban vs. Rural: Who Uses More Power?

It might seem logical to assume urban households use more electricity due to higher appliance ownership  but it’s not that simple.

Urban Usage:

• Higher appliance density: TVs, heaters, dishwashers, Wi-Fi routers, geysers.

• Security systems and electric gates.

• Air conditioning in upper-middle-class homes.

Rural Usage:

• Often limited to basic lighting, fridges, and cooking.

• But… off-grid homes rely on gas or wood, which skews formal data.

• Small-scale solar is becoming more popular.

Conclusion: Urban households consume more on paper, but rural energy needs are underreported due to informal setups.

Read Also: Nersa Approves Drastic Cut to Power Supply to Fix Grid Overload

Tools to Track Your Electricity Usage

Knowing your average monthly kWh usage is one thing. But tracking your real-time use is how you gain control. Here’s how:

Eskom’s Home Electricity Calculator

Use their online tool to:

• Estimate kWh by appliance.

• View expected costs.

• Identify energy hogs.

Smart Plugs + Meters

Devices like Ellies Energy Monitor or TP-Link Smart Plugs let you:

• Monitor live usage per appliance.

• Schedule shutdowns during peak hours.

• Spot “phantom load” devices draining power silently.

Mobile Apps

• Load Shedding Notifier: Tracks schedules and suggests energy-saving windows.

• HomeWizard Energy SA: For homes with smart meters.

Tips to Reduce Electricity Bills Updated for 2025

Based on Eskom’s 2025 tariff of R2.85/kWh ($0.15) (average across urban municipalities):

Here are the top energy drains and how to cut them fast:

1. Geyser (30–40% of total usage)

• Install a timer: Saves up to R400/month.

• Drop the thermostat to 55–60°C.

• Consider a solar geyser (payback in 4 years).

2. Heaters & Aircon (15–20%)

• Use electric blankets, not room heaters.

• Seal windows to retain warmth.

• Use fans in summer – 80% less energy than aircon.

3. Fridges & Freezers (10–15%)

• Keep coils clean and defrost regularly.

• Don’t overfill – airflow matters.

• Replace with A+++ energy-rated models.

4. Lighting (5–10%)

• Replace ALL bulbs with LEDs.

• Use motion-sensor lights for security.

5. Standby Appliances (5–10%)

• TV, Wi-Fi, microwave clocks = R150+ monthly drain.

• Use smart plugs to auto-switch off at night.

Bonus Tip:
If you work from home, electricity costs can be tax-deductible. Speak to a tax advisor about home office rebates.

Where Your Power Goes