Electricity Cost Calculator
Calculate how much any appliance costs to run per month in South Africa. Select from common presets — geyser, stove, air conditioner, pool pump — or enter any wattage. Uses the current Eskom tariff of R2.80/kWh by default.
How to Use the Electricity Cost Calculator
- Select Appliance Preset: Choose from common SA appliances or select "Custom appliance" to enter any wattage.
- Wattage: The wattage auto-fills for presets. You can override with any value — check your appliance label or user manual.
- Hours Per Day: Enter how many hours per day the appliance typically runs.
- Eskom Tariff: The default R2.80/kWh is the 2026 Eskom Homelight rate. Check your latest electricity bill for your exact municipal rate.
The Extended Calculator below adds a whole-home appliance table and side-by-side comparison. The Professional Calculator includes TOU tariffs, load shedding generator costs, and a 5-year projection with tariff escalation.
How We Calculate Electricity Cost
Example: Electric Geyser Cost
3,000W Geyser — 2 hours/day — R2.80/kWh
kWh/day = (3,000 ÷ 1,000) × 2 = 6 kWh/day
Monthly kWh = 6 × 30 = 180 kWh/month
Monthly Cost = 180 × R2.80 = R504/month
Annual Cost = R504 × 12 = R6,048/year
Tip: A geyser blanket and timer can cut this cost by 20–30%.
2026 SA Electricity Tariff Reference
Approximate residential tariffs per kWh (incl. VAT)
Eskom Homelight: ~R2.80/kWh
City of Joburg (City Power): ~R2.90/kWh
City of Cape Town: ~R3.20/kWh
eThekwini (Durban): ~R2.75/kWh
Tshwane (Pretoria): ~R2.85/kWh
Note: Tariffs vary by consumption block. Check your municipal bill for the exact rate.
5-Year Cost Projection (12% annual escalation)
| Year | Annual Cost | Monthly Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | R 10364.63 | R 863.72 |
| 2027 | R 11608.38 | R 967.37 |
| 2028 | R 13001.39 | R 1083.45 |
| 2029 | R 14561.55 | R 1213.46 |
| 2030 | R 16308.94 | R 1359.08 |