If you own a home in South Africa, chances are your geyser is the single biggest energy user under your roof. In fact, it’s estimated that geysers account for more than 40% of a household’s electricity usage. When you factor in the monthly electricity use, water bills, and the occasional repair, a geyser can easily cost a South African household over R20,000 per year.  

This is why energy-efficient geysers, solar heating, and timers are becoming more popular – not only do they cut costs, but they also ease strain on the power grid. 

Let’s break these costs down, to highlight where and how you can save on your geyser costs. 

Let’s Talk Electricity Costs 

A standard electric geyser has the power (pun intended) to account for around 30–50% of a household’s electricity bill. Generally speaking, it can cost you between R600 and R1,500 per month to run a 150 to 200 litre geyser. According to Savvy Plumbing, the average 150 L geyser costs between R630 and R756 per month to run, depending on your household’s water usage and your municipality’s electricity tariffs.  

Even if you employ ‘good habits,’ like using a geyser timer, insulating the cylinder, or switching to solar, the fact remains that keeping water hot is a major monthly expense. An expense that tends to increase during the winter months, when colder water takes longer to heat. 

Geyser Replacement Costs 

When a geyser bursts or needs replacing, the bill can be just as daunting. At this time (in 2025), the price for a new geyser unit comes in at around R4,000 or so all the way up to R15,000. The price will depend on the size and brand (Geysers Only). On top of this, you also need to account for the installation costs. According to sources, these professional installation costs usually ring in at around R2,500 up to R3,500. 

To put this into perspective, let’s say you invest in a 150 L steel geyser (R5,500), plus labour (R2,500), and then add a new pressure valve (R1,500). All told, this comes to R9,500 and that’s not a figure most people have laying around and waiting to be spent. 

Don’t Forget About Maintenance And Repairs 

Even without a burst, geysers need regular upkeep. While it seems like an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ expense, ignoring the maintenance costs could lead to a whopping bill later on. Think of it this way… a pressure valve replacement or minor repair can cost a few hundred rand, while major maintenance can reach a few thousand.  

Don’t forget and don’t skip routine checks on your geyser.  

Insurance And Cover 

Most homeowners’ insurance policies in South Africa cover geyser bursts, including resultant damage to walls, ceilings, and flooring. However, wear and tear is not covered. Knowing where your cover starts and stops can save you from nasty surprises. 

Feeling Informed? 

The question is… why does this matter? Well, between running costs and unexpected replacements, geysers are a financial reality every homeowner must budget for. This is why many people choose to protect themselves with home insurance that covers burst geysers and related damages. With the average replacement price running into thousands of rand, it’s easy to see why. 

There are a few solutions that you can explore, such as solar geysers. Solar geysers are an extremely useful way to save money on your electricity bill, reduce your carbon footprint, and enjoy hot water even when the power is out. That said, part of your research before you decide which solar geyser is right for you and book the installation is to review the costs. 

If you would like to find out more about solar geysers and the costs involved, just look here.