{"id":12523,"date":"2025-06-30T18:47:36","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T16:47:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=12523"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:23:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:23:34","slug":"electricity-usage-tariff-increases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/electricity-usage-tariff-increases\/","title":{"rendered":"How\u202fto\u202fManage Household Electricity Usage as Municipal Tariff Increases Hit\u202f14\u202f%"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-july-2025-s-steep-municipal-tariff-hikes-don-t-have-to-torch-your-budget-here-s-a-step-by-step-plan-to-slash-your-power-bill-without-switching-off-the-lights\"><em>July\u202f2025\u2019s steep municipal tariff hikes don\u2019t have to torch your budget\u2014here\u2019s a step\u2011by\u2011step plan to slash your power bill without switching off the lights.<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-great-july-jolt\">The Great July Jolt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Managing Household Electricity:<\/strong> From 1 July 2025, more than a hundred South African municipalities are hiking electricity tariffs, some by almost 14\u202fper cent, four to five times the current inflation. Households already dreading winter heating costs now face a double whammy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2511682485\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-the-shock-increase\">Why the Shock Increase?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nersa.org.za\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa)<\/a> approved an 11.32\u202fper cent rise in Eskom\u2019s wholesale price earlier this year. Municipalities then applied their own mark\u2011ups, partly to cover mounting debts and line losses, pushing end\u2011user tariffs into double figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-municipal-tariff-increases-what-your-city-will-charge\">Municipal Tariff Increases: What Your City Will Charge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Municipality<\/th><th>2025\/26 Increase<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Buffalo City<\/td><td><strong>12.74\u202f%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>City of Cape Town<\/td><td><strong>12.80\u202f%<\/strong>*<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>eThekwini<\/td><td><strong>12.72\u202f%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tshwane<\/td><td><strong>10.20\u202f%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Johannesburg (City\u202fPower)<\/td><td><strong>12.41\u202f%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ekurhuleni<\/td><td><strong>13.40\u202f%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mangaung<\/td><td><strong>12.40\u202f%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nelson Mandela Bay<\/td><td><strong>12.80\u202f%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>*Cape\u202fTown\u2019s jump sits atop a contested 4.5\u202fper cent surcharge imposed last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/eskom-confirms-no-load-shedding\/\">Eskom Confirms No Load Shedding Planned for July<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1857364174\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-winter-s-double-barrel-squeeze\">Winter\u2019s Double\u2011Barrel Squeeze<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cold snaps mean longer geyser cycles, overnight heaters, and marathon soup\u2011making sessions, exactly when the new tariffs bite. Bills can balloon 20\u201330\u202fper cent in winter even before price hikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-enter-looksee-s-smart-save-journey\">Enter LookSee\u2019s Smart\u202fSave Journey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Standard Bank\u2019s LookSee platform now offers a free <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.looksee.co.za\/looksee\/home\/products-services\/smart-save\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Smart\u202fSave Journey<\/a><\/strong>: punch in your meter data and household profile, and it benchmarks you against homes in your suburb, then spits out a personalised action list. Think of it as a Fitbit for your fuse\u2011box, complete with an Energy Efficiency Score that shows how every tweak trims rands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-250798571\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-quick-fire-habit-tweaks-for-household-electricity-zero-cost-big-impact\">Quick\u2011Fire Habit Tweaks for Household Electricity (Zero\u2011Cost, Big Impact)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Shift the heavy hitters<\/strong><br>Run washing machines, dishwashers and pool pumps <strong>after 10\u202fpm<\/strong> when demand (and time\u2011of\u2011use rates) dip.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Geyser guerrilla tactics<\/strong><br>Drop the thermostat to <strong>55\u202f\u00b0C<\/strong>, insulate the tank with a R150 blanket, and install a timer so it heats just before morning showers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>LED every lamp<\/strong><br>Swapping a single 60\u202fW incandescent for a 9\u202fW LED saves \u00b1R200\/year. Multiply by every bulb.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fan over the heater<\/strong><br>A pedestal fan (50\u202fW) consumes a fraction of an oil heater (1,500\u202fW). Pair it with a warm jersey\u2014your granny and your wallet will approve.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vampire slayers<\/strong><br>TV boxes, chargers and consoles sip power 24\/7. A R120 smart plug kills the standby draw nightly.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tech-amp-tools-for-real-time-feedback\">Tech &amp; Tools for Real\u2011Time Feedback<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Smart plugs &amp; meters<\/strong>: Track appliance\u2011by\u2011appliance consumption on your phone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>LookSee app dashboard<\/strong>: Combines Smart\u202fSave data with municipal tariffs to forecast your next bill in rands, not guesswork.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Budget alerts<\/strong>: Set a monthly kWh cap\u2014cross it and you get a push notification before the bill lands.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1817822238\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-long-game-investments-that-pay-for-themselves\">Long\u2011Game Investments That Pay for Themselves<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Solution<\/th><th>Typical Cost (R)<\/th><th>Pay\u2011off Window*<\/th><th>Bonus<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Heat\u2011pump geyser<\/td><td>18\u202f000 \u2013\u202f25\u202f000<\/td><td>2\u20133\u202fyrs<\/td><td><strong>60\u202f%<\/strong> less geyser load<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ceiling insulation<\/td><td>7\u202f000 \u2013\u202f12\u202f000<\/td><td>2\u202fyrs<\/td><td>Warmer winters, cooler summers<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Solar PV + battery<\/td><td>95\u202f000 \u2013\u202f160\u202f000<\/td><td>5\u20137\u202fyrs<\/td><td>Load\u2011shedding immunity &amp; tariff dodge<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>*Pay\u2011off assumes current 14\u202f% tariff hike and 6\u202f% annual increases thereafter. Solar savings estimates backed by LookSee\u2019s Savings Guarantee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-water-energy-double-win\">Water\u2011Energy Double Win<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Heating water is your single biggest electricity expense. Low\u2011flow showerheads, fixing drips, and cold\u2011water laundry cycles cut both water and power bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3325977447\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-build-your-personal-energy-score\">Build Your Personal Energy Score<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Treat efficiency like a game, track weekly kWh, and celebrate milestones (maybe with a lights\u2011off, candle\u2011lit dinner?). Habits baked in this winter will keep paying dividends long after tariff talk fades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-spark\">Final Spark<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, a 14 \u202fper cent surge stings, but rands still obey physics: the fewer kilowatt\u2011hours you draw, the less you pay. Arm yourself with data, embrace a few gadget upgrades, and turn winter\u2019s tariff shock into an energy\u2011saving victory lap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also read: <a href=\"https:\/\/gauteng.news\/2025\/06\/23\/city-power-offers-free-50kwh-electricity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">City Power Offers Free 50kWh Electricity to Eligible Johannesburg Residents \u2013 Register Now<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How\u202fto\u202fManage Household Electricity Usage as Municipal Tariff Increases Hit\u202f14\u202f%<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":12536,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"How\u202fto\u202fManage Household Electricity Usage as Municipal Tariff Increases Hit\u202f14\u202f%","footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-12523","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-finance"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12523","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12523"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12523\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18060,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12523\/revisions\/18060"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12536"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12523"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12523"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12523"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}