Eskom direct tariffs and municipal schedules are not interchangeable. Confirm the residential product, connection category and applicable dates. A national increase percentage does not give the full unit and fixed-charge formula for every household.
Separate purchases from consumption
For prepaid electricity, money paid during a calendar month is not automatically the cost of electricity consumed in that month. Keep the purchase date, units received, meter or account adjustments and any fixed charges together. Use a matched usage period for bill comparisons.
Inspect fixed charges and tax
A product can include energy charges alongside service, network or other fixed components. Check whether prices are stated including or excluding VAT. The comparison tool can model documented energy and fixed amounts, but a subtotal excluding a tariff component must remain labelled as incomplete.
No numeric tariff presets are imported for this market yet. Start with a current bill or written supplier quote. A country guide is not a live rate feed.
Questions, answered.
Can I use an Eskom rate for a municipal bill?
Only if the applicable municipal documentation actually uses that schedule. Start with the supplier and tariff printed on the account.
Why can a prepaid purchase differ from my usage cost?
A purchase and a consumption period can occur at different times and include account-specific deductions or charges. Reconcile the purchase and meter records first.
Independent HAUSE research and calculation tools. Imported prices are a curated sample, not every supplier or a guaranteed eligible offer. Last source review: 2026-10-26. Methodology and limits →