By Derrick Masilela, Product Marketing Administrator

As we approach the halfway mark of the year, we’re preparing for ESKOM’s annual tariff increase. On 2 April 2024, ESKOM announced that they would be implementing a tariff hike starting 1 July 2024, along with municipal increases from the same date. This decision followed the determination of increases by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) in December 2023.

The new tariff increases are outlined as follows:

• Local authority tariff charges 12.72% as from 1 July 2024
• All tariff charges exempt the affordability subsidy charge: 12.74%.
• Affordability subsidy charges: 25.24%.

ESKOM stated, “There are no tariff structural changes for 2024/25, however, Eskom is considering a tariff restructuring submission to NERSA for implementation in 2025/26.”

So, what does this mean for our MidCity Utilities clients, and how can you avoid receiving an unreasonably high bill? In addition to the annual tariff increases taking effect on 1 July each year, clients may notice increased electricity bills, particularly during autumn and winter.

If you have a Smart Meter installed, it’s advisable to keep a record of daily consumption over a period or view your daily consumption on the MidCity Utilities App. This allows you to identify when increases in consumption started or if changes made have successfully reduced your consumption.

Let’s refresh our memories’ around useful tips to help reduce high bills:

1. Avoid leaving heaters and warm blankets on when not needed.
2. Use stoves and other electrical cooking equipment sparingly.
3. Geyser usage tends to increase during colder months due to longer showers and more bathwater usage.
4. Consider reducing the running time of water and pool pumps during autumn and winter.
5. Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use to prevent them from consuming electricity while idle.
6. Keep in mind that heating cold water to preferred temperatures during colder months requires more energy.
7. Consider installing energy-saving lights and equipment.

However, even with these measures in place, a higher electricity bill may still be expected. In such cases, consider the following:

• Is billing by the utilities service provider done on actual or estimated readings?
• Is the billing period/number of days between readings constant or does it vary?
•  If you have a conventional electricity meter, were the readings taken correctly and captured accurately on the billing system? Are photos of the meter available to confirm the meter reading, or can you confirm the readings yourself?
• Have you had any repairs or maintenance done at your house in the last month?
• Has any new equipment been installed at your house in the last month?
• Is the correct tariff being used for billing? Are there winter tariffs applicable for your region or municipality?
• Request that a meter test be done (Terms and Conditions often apply).

By following these steps, you can better manage your electricity consumption and mitigate the impact of tariff increases on your bills.

For more information click on the link below:

https://midcityutilities.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/MCU_Electricity-Bill-Brochure_20210524.pdfpdf

Source:

Eskom applies electricity tariff increase | SAnews