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Managing Electricity Usage This Winter: Smart Tips to Beat Rising Costs

By MidCity Utilities (Pty) Ltd

As winter sets in and temperatures drop, electricity usage naturally increases—especially for heating, lighting, and hot water.

With municipal tariff hikes taking effect from 1 July 2025, households across South Africa, including Tshwane and Johannesburg, will feel the pinch. But with a few smart strategies, you can reduce your energy consumption and limit the impact on your wallet. Electricity tariffs are rising by 12% in Tshwane and 12.74% in Johannesburg, well above the average inflation rate. Combined with colder weather, this means higher bills unless proactive steps are taken.

Top Energy-Saving Tips for Winter

1. Use Heaters Wisely

  • Limit use to rooms that are occupied.
  • Set thermostats to a comfortable but efficient level (around 20°C).
  • Seal gaps around doors and windows to retain heat.

2. Switch to Energy-Efficient Lighting

  • Replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs, which use up to 80% less energy.
  • Turn off lights when not in use, especially in unoccupied rooms.

3. Manage Geyser Usage

  • Set your geyser thermostat to 55–60°C.
  • Use a geyser blanket and insulate hot water pipes.
  • Consider installing a timer to heat water only during peak usage times.

4. Layer Up Instead of Turning Up

  • Dress warmly indoors and use blankets to reduce the need for heating.
  • Use electric blankets sparingly and switch them off once in bed.

5. Unplug Idle Appliances

  • Devices on standby still consume power. Unplug chargers, TVs, and kitchen appliances when not in use.

6. Cook Efficiently

  • Use microwaves, air fryers, or pressure cookers instead of ovens when possible.
  • Cook in batches and reheat meals to save energy.

7. Monitor Your Usage

  • Appoint MidCity Utilities and install a smart meter.
  • Already a client?  Use the MidCity Utilities App to track consumption.
  • Set a monthly electricity budget and stick to it.

Bonus Tip: Shift Usage to Off-Peak Hours

If you’re on a time-of-use tariff, try to run high-energy appliances like washing machines and dishwashers during off-peak hours (typically late evening or early morning).

Stay Warm, Stay Smart

By making small changes in your daily habits, you can significantly reduce your electricity usage and soften the blow of rising tariffs. Every kilowatt saved is money in your pocket—and a step toward a more energy-efficient home.

🔗 More energy-saving tips: MidCity Utilities – Energy Saving Tips (PDF)

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How can I purchase pre-paid electricity?

By making use of one of the following:

  • MidCity Utilities App

  • MidCity Utilities Website

  • Internet Banking

  • Unipin vouchers
  • Unipin vouchers can be purchased at registered retailers, garages and other suppliers.
  • When providing your pre-paid meter number to the cashier, the pre-paid purchase will transfer over to the meter automatically.

  • If you do not provide your meter number to the cashier and you receive the voucher slip, you must follow the steps as set out thereon.

  • Make sure you are using the correct meter number.
  • After registering with MidCity Utilities for pre-paid electricity, our Customer Care Personnel will SMS you your meter number.

  • When you register for the Mobile App or on our website, you will also be able to see your meter number.

  • Clients who also request to receive monthly statements, even though they are on pre-paid, will be able to see their meter number on their monthly statement.

  • Contact our Customer Care Personnel.
  • Log in to either our Mobile App or website.

  • SMS the word Balance (space) meter number to 37823. You will receive an SMS with your meter balance and predicted zero balance date.

  • Use your keypad, if you have one.
  • Yes. A low balance notification will be sent to the registered cell phone number that is loaded onto our system.

  • The low balance notification will be sent 48 hours before the calculated depletion date.

  • The depletion date received on the low balance notification, Mobile App or website is an estimation and depends on a client’s consumption habits and changes.

Mobile App or Website

  • The final step in the process on the Mobile App or website will indicate if the transaction was successful.

  • Transfer of credits to the meter can take approximately 10 minutes after the purchase is completed successfully.

  • On the Mobile App, website or SMS balance enquiry, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour to update the effective current balance after a purchase was made.

Internet Banking

  • Confirmation of transaction is provided by your banking service.

  • You will receive an SMS or email with the value of the token as well as the 20-digit code already loaded on your meter.

  • Purchases through Internet Banking can take approximately 30 minutes to transfer over to the meter.

  • On the Mobile App, website or SMS balance enquiry, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour to update the effective current balance after a purchase was made.

Unipin voucher

  • After following the process reflected on the voucher with your cell phone, you will receive confirmation and notification on your device.

  • Purchases through Unipin vouchers can take approximately 30 minutes to transfer over to the meter.

  • On the Mobile App, website or SMS balance enquiry, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour to update the effective current balance after a purchase was made.