Hot Water, Explained

That's it. That's the number. One eight-minute shower in 2026 costs a South African household roughly R10.00 — water and electricity combined. Doesn't sound like much. Keep reading

Water heating is the single biggest energy consumer in South African households, accounting for 40% of total household energy use (ref). That makes it an obvious target for cutting your electricity bill.

Eskom tariffs increased by an eye-watering 18.7% in 2023 and again by a painful 12.7% in 2024. This compares to CPI (Consumer Price Index) increases of 5.9% and 4.9% over the same two-year period.

With the rapid increases in the price of electricity and water over the past decade, the question is: what does a shower or bath cost in South Africa in 2024? Most South Africans know electricity prices have skyrocketed — a 937% increase between 2007 and 2024. But water prices have been climbing even faster over the same period.

We first published this analysis in 2021. With updated data through 2024, the trend has not improved: residential water and electricity tariffs have continued to outpace inflation by a wide margin.

Your geyser is usually the biggest electricity user in your home. Here’s what it costs per month in South Africa, what changes the number, and the simplest ways to cut it without changing your lifestyle.