Who among us hasn’t opened an electricity bill and felt a wave of regret or frustration? Those who haven’t experienced these feelings would be few and far between. With Eskom’s rates rising steadily over the past few years, it’s never been more important to understand where your money (and electricity) is going. 

But here’s the good news. You don’t need a professional to spot inefficiencies, because there are a few simple actions you can perform in order to identify the biggest energy guzzlers in your home. A quick DIY home energy audit, if you will. And with little to no cost at all, you could quite easily trim this bill right down.  

Follow these simple steps and take a (more accurate) look at why your lacy bill is sitting where it is right now.  

Step 1: Tackle The 10% – 20% 

Step 1 is all about your lighting, which makes up around 10% to 20% of your overall power bill. This approximation is true for the average South African household, so it’s likely to be true for your home.  

In this case, there are three actions you can take. Firstly, make the switch to LEDs, which use up to 80% less power and last much longer than incandescent bulbs. Next, make it a household habit to turn off lights when you leave a room. Lastly, opt for task lighting (the use of lamps) instead of lighting an entire room. This is handy when only one area is needed to be lit. 

Step 2: Review the 25% – 40% 

Right, let’s move onto the next sizable chunk of energy usage that accounts for a fair portion of your electricity bill – and that’s your appliances. In South Africa, the use of appliances accounts for about 25% to 40% of household energy use, depending on your lifestyle. 

A few tips to reduce this impact: 

• Service Your Fridge: If the sides are hot or it runs constantly, it might need a service or seal replacement. 

• Check Energy labels: A-rated appliances cost less to run. If you’re renting or replacing, it’s worth prioritising these. 

• Switch Off: Electronics still draw power even when in standby mode, so knock down that ‘phantom load’ by turning off TVs, microwaves, routers, and laptops at the wall. 

Step 3: Assess The 30% – 50% 

It’s time to assess your water heating, because as you might know, your geyser is a big offender. Generally speaking, geysers can use 30% to 50% of your electricity, making it a top priority for energy savings. 

Strategically, you could start by lowering the thermostat to 55–60°C. We have heard it said that you will barely notice the change, but your bill surely will. You could also go old school and install a geyser blanket if yours is older or not insulated. These cost around R500 or less and will pay for itself in two, maybe three months. 

Another popular strategy is to use a timer, so that your geyser only heats when you actually need it. 

Step 4: A 70% Heating Haircut 

Heating and cooling can quickly drive up your electricity use, particularly in winter or during heatwaves. There are the old standbys that you can do, like closing doors and curtains at night to keep heat in and sealing gaps around windows and doors with affordable weatherstripping. 

But most likely, the biggest change you can make is through the installation of ceiling insulation – provided this hasn’t already been done. A properly insulated ceiling can cut heating needs by up to 70%, so even if you do have insulation, it’s worth checking that everything is still working as it should be. 

Step 5: Review Your Cooking Habits 

We don’t have a percentage to share here, but it has to be said that your cooking habits can make a small but tangible difference to your electricity bill. According to some, boiling only the water you need (instead of a fully topped up kettle) could save R100s a year. Another popular suggestion is to batch cook and reheat instead of using the oven or stove multiple times a day. 

At the end of the day, all of these little checks can culminate in substantial monthly savings.  

Feeling Informed? 

Remember, a home energy audit isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being informed so that you can take control of this monthly expense. Even better? Many of these tips don’t require any spending at all. Just awareness, good habits, and the willingness to flip a switch (or five). 

We trust that this information will help you bring your electricity bill down to a manageable amount. If you’re looking for more practical advice, budget-friendly ideas, and planning tools, like a free Property Valuation Report, then please take a few minutes to explore AA Inform.