Eskom tariff increase: Here’s how to prevent your electricity bill from skyrocketing

Although the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) granted Eskom smaller tariff increases than it requested, South Africans’ wallets will continue to haemorrhage.

On Thursday it was announced that Eskom will be increasing electricity costs by 12.7% from 1 April, as well as by another 5.36% and 6.19% in the following two financial years.

While it is less than the dreaded 36% touted in recent months, the increase will still have consumers paying a compound increase of 26.09% by 1 April 2027.

The deluge of applications, proposals, public engagements and hearings might distract electricity users to the fact that their bills are currently 33.78% higher than 24 months ago.  

ALSO READ: Power play? Nersa’s tariff hike sparks political fury

Ending decision paralysis over electricity costs

As households make greater sacrifices to meet basic overheads, the advice given to all ratepayers is to make their homes future proof.

The measures that will save on energy costs tomorrow need to start being put in place today by investing in the knowledge of successful implementation.

Standard Bank’s home efficiency platform LookSee has freed thousands of South Africans from decision paralysis by allowing them to dictate the energy-saving capacity of their homes.

Energy costs will continue to escalate, and by investing in LookSee’s solar and energy-efficient water heating solutions, homeowners are able to offset their long-term energy.

While load shedding may have originally been a big driver, solar power was never meant to be a safety net for infrastructural shortcomings.

“That is not what solar was created for. Solar has always been a way to reduce your reliance on the grid and save money on your electricity bills. Having access to backup power for unexpected power outages is an added benefit that South African households appreciate,” said Marc du Plessis, Executive Head at LookSee.

Personal tailoring of energy needs

The slow drip of monthly electricity bills soon fills a bucket, but LookSee’s solar solutions reverse that flow to ensure money is being put back into the household’s budget.  

“One of the special things we do with families is work with them throughout the process to ensure their specific needs are identified upfront and that they are supported post-installation to get their savings journey up to speed as soon as possible,” said Du Plessis.

This personal tailoring of a family’s needs takes into account the unique habits of each household, maximising their savings potential.

“We also include advanced optimisation software that does a lot of the background analysis and changes automatically as there are small setting changes that make a big difference to overall savings.”

Confident in their effectiveness in reducing long-term energy costs, LookSee is offering a personalised savings guarantee on all hybrid solar installations and a R2 000 cashback should the savings not materialise.

ALSO READ: Want to get the most out of your solar system? LookSee promises to cut down your bill with its new Savings Guarantee

Manageable cost solutions

Aware that it takes a large capital layout, LookSee is invested in guiding those considering converting to solar – from the quotation phase, to installation, through to post-installation support.

A 0.25% interest rate cut announced by the South African Reserve Bank this week also tips the return of a solar conversion in the favour of the consumer, while Eskom’s tariff trajectory soars.

When cutting household costs, experts are unanimous in stating that it is the finer aspects of life that get the chop.

“A decreased loan rate will bring cost of investment down while servicing a loan will become far cheaper than accumulated energy costs over several financial years,” said Du Plessis.

“We are not here for short-term gain. We are here to convert homes to save money for households and to make a difference from a sustainability and climate impact perspective.”

Click here to get a solar quote and your personalised Savings Guarantee from LookSee.