Power: how much you'll pay

Johannesburg - The monthly electricity bill of an average South African household could go up from R150.48 at the beginning of 2008 to R765.90 in 2012 - an increase of 409%.

These calculations are based on the lowest variables of fees charged since 2008, as well as the most conservative estimate of probable price increases from now until 2012.

According to Eskom, the average suburban home uses about 760 kWh in summer (used for the mentioned calculation) and 970 kWh in winter. Before the power utility was granted a 27.5% price increase in July 2008, it charged customers between 19.8c (used for the calculation) and 25.24c per kWh.

The same consumer's electricity bill would have been hiked to R191.34 per month after the 2008 tariff increase, and again to R251.23 in 2009 (July's 31.5% increase).

Sake24 reported earlier this week that Eskom has applied for a 66% hike in 2010, but may also opt for 45% per year for three years.

Should average consumers' bills be hiked by 45% for the next three years, they will pay R364.28 in 2010, R528.21 in 2011 and R765.90 in 2012.

Power up your maths skills to save

Eskom said it is essential for households to know how much electricity every appliance consumes, so that they can save sensibly.

"Working out what every appliance uses and tracking its impact on your monthly bill is easy. The wattage is usually printed on the back of an appliance or is included in its packaging," Eskom said. "This figure tells you how much electricity the appliance uses in a month."

For instance, a 100W (or 0.1 kW) light bulb used for 60 hours a month means the total amount of electricity used is 6 kWh.

- Fin24.com