Electricity Bill (CoJ)

[Sinbad]

So the fact that they work through some kind of transformer makes no difference?

Depends on the wattage. If they are incandescent they are inefficient, no matter how many transformers are involved.
Transformers just drop voltage, not power.

 

[Slootvreter]

Depends on the wattage. If they are incandescent they are inefficient, no matter how many transformers are involved.
Transformers just drop voltage, not power.

I see. Thanks!

 

[supersunbird]

So the fact that they work through some kind of transformer makes no difference?

In fact, probably more electrical potential is lost throught heat in the transformation process making them even slightly less efficent than the 220v ones.

 

[froot]

So those downlighters do actually suck electricity?

I replaced 60 of our downlighters (12V 50W) with LED bulbs (4.5W)... I did calculate the power savings, I think it was in the region of R350-450pm.

 

[Nerfherder]

Check that it wasn't an estimation, they don't read the meter every month.

Will be corrected next time they do the reading

 

[egenis]

The "hackers" changed it!

 

[froot]

I think this was less than 2000kw - I'll double check. May need to get of those power meters too.

My townhouse is full title - so I get a bill as though it was a free standing house. I have to pay levies too, but only 630.00 or so.

EDIT - Only 702kwh. What are the odds they get meter readings wrong?

They've gotten the biggest digit on our meter wrong before. R21'000 bill tyvm

 

[Nevar]

My 800 units cost R1002.17 this month
Wish going off grid was more of an option already. also staying in a town house.

 

[killkom]

You need to be informed my advice to you is visit the city of joburg web site download the latest tariffs there are different tariffs so just because your neighbour is paying on a increased tariff depending what he uses like the first 500 KWH is R1 and the next 500 is another amount does not mean that you are on the same tariff. Your bill will more than likely not give you this information you have to ask the call centre.

Calculate your usage for yourself by reading the meter every month or every day to get a daily usage stat. make sure the council reads you meter every month none of this estimate rubbish if thats happening get pre paid.

Get the effergy monitor for you home from ellies at builders warehouse a great tool to figure out what you are using and where you can cut. Trust me its a eye opener how much some appliances use

Then once you have all this info go to the council and get them to fix you billing or change to a tariff that suits you better. its all about not paying any more than you need to isn't it.

I have a 400 sqm house with 3 phase electricity and 2 geysers and I manage to keep my usage below 800 KWH per month in winter and less than 700 in Summer

 

[killkom]

So the fact that they work through some kind of transformer makes no difference?

It depends on the transformer if you have a iron core type then putting a 5 watt LED bulb will use 45w instead of 50w with a halogen no real saving

Then you go and get and cheap electrical transformer the issue is with these is that most led's don't work with this type of transformer since they have a minimum draw of 20W before they will switch on so a LED only draws 5 or 6 watts so they won't even turn on

Putting more then one light on a transformer would solve this if it was not illegal

You can buy a transformer from lighting warehouse which does a 0 to 70w this will drive a LED but the transformer is R150.00 each

To maximise your savings a stop headaches just change to 220v the connector costs R20 and you will get maximum savings.

 

[dyanamo]

Your calculations are way off.
Joburg works on increasing telescoping tariffs. Your first 500 kWh per month are somewhere around R1.05, the next 500 costs more, and then after that even more.

Whoops meant to say before 400 units, R1 gets you 0.82 units or R1.22 a unit. There after the next 200 units, R1 gets you 0.73 units so R1.36 a unit. There after R1 gets you 0.6 units so R1.66 a unit or R300 for 180 units which is what I just spent.

 

[GreGorGy]

I've just noticed mine is around R1,000pm ... for a 2 bedroom townhouse with only myself living in it. There's no pool pump or anything ... does this seems right?! It sounds a little high for a single person!

Hey - be careful what you make us read. Now we can be charged with hacking.

 

[HelterSkelter]

Two bedroom, 2 bathroom place. Three people. Two big fish tanks running. Gas stove. Was just under R1000 this month. Could be less if I sort the geyser out, I think the element is covered in calcium.

 

[Dolby]

It says actual reading ... I'll have to read the meter.

The guys in the townhouses - sectional title to the 350.00 fee isn't included in the 1000.00 you mention?