Eskom prices: prepaid versus credit metering

This sucks. I'm supplied by PEC Metering, which is a reseller. Our complex power is measured by a bulk meter. Which means, I don't get charged in blocks. I get charged a flat rate of R1.83 per unit (i.e. the highest block). I only use about 360 units a month. So my 360 units cost me R658 a month.
Nersa has been working on the regulation which would see bulk metered customers being charged using the same inclining block tariffs individually metered people pay since 2009, and naturally, little to no progress has been made. If it were to be implemented today, I would pay R385 a month. Pretty big difference.
 
CoJ Post Paid vs Pre-Paid

City Power (CoJ) (Excl VAT)
60A Post Paid:
  • 0-500: R0.9063/kWh
  • 501-1000: R1.0401/kWh
  • 1001-2000: R1.1168/kWh
  • 2,001-3000: R1.1783/kWh
  • 3,001+kWh: R1.2361/kWh
Service Charge 60A: R276.47
Network Charge: R93.85
DSM: 4c/kWh

Pre-Paid:
  • 0-500: R 0.9426/kWh
  • 501-1000: R1.0709/kWh
  • 1001-2000: R1.1499/kWh
  • 2,001-3000: R1.2990/kWh
  • 3,001+kWh: R1.4077/kWh
Service Charge 60A: - none
Network Charge: - none
DSM 4c/kWh for usage over 500kWh (Shows as Arrears Amount on FNB Banking)

All ex VAT.

Due to the Service Charge, Network Charge
Pre-Paid is cheaper up to about 5000kWh per month (About R7,100 inc VAT)

Tips for pre-paid:
Highly recommended to change from post-paid to pre-paid.
For pre-paid only load once per month, on the same day - to make use of lowest rate.
Load an initial 2000 kWh when you get the meter.
Draw down for 30 days, and top up back to 2000kWh.

If you are indigent (Proof required) - you can also apply for 100kWh Free Basic Electricity (FBE).
You can buy pre-paid using FNB Online Banking (not sure about other banks)

EDIT: Just checked my last prepaid purchase and the DSM seems to be 1c/kWh although CoJ documents indicate 2c up to 2013 and from 2014 it rose to 4c.
 
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For pre-paid only load once per month, on the same day - to make use of lowest rate.
Click to expand...

Can you explain this perhaps? I am on prepaid. Load R250 at a time and that lasts about 8 - 9 days I think. Should I then rather load R937 once per month? How is this going to work out cheaper? I am still going to fall in the second block regardless and not pay the R0.9426/kWh rate surely?
 
Ockie said:
Can you explain this perhaps? I am on prepaid. Load R250 at a time and that lasts about 8 - 9 days I think. Should I then rather load R937 once per month? How is this going to work out cheaper? I am still going to fall in the second block regardless and not pay the R0.9426/kWh rate surely?
Click to expand...

You are doing it right. The trick is to have as few units as possible left on the meter at the end of the month.
 
Maybe then I shouldn't complain about Eskom - post paid:

Network Access Charge @ R3.80 per day
Energy Charge ( 0 - 600 kWh) 600 kWh @ R0.8865 /kWh
Energy Charge (> 600kWh) 410 kWh @ R1.3997 /kWh
Click to expand...
 
recre8 said:
This sucks. I'm supplied by PEC Metering, which is a reseller. Our complex power is measured by a bulk meter. Which means, I don't get charged in blocks. I get charged a flat rate of R1.83 per unit (i.e. the highest block). I only use about 360 units a month. So my 360 units cost me R658 a month.
Nersa has been working on the regulation which would see bulk metered customers being charged using the same inclining block tariffs individually metered people pay since 2009, and naturally, little to no progress has been made. If it were to be implemented today, I would pay R385 a month. Pretty big difference.
Click to expand...

In the exact same boat as you. Except we pay about R2-R3 per unit in Bloemfontein in winter. Yes we have different rates for summer and winter. Cannot understand how the guy up the street who lives in a house pays half what I do for the same usage. Simply not fair. is anyone willing to sort out the problem. No. Middle class don't strike and burn ****. We have to work.
 
system32 said:
City Power (CoJ) (Excl VAT)
60A Post Paid:
  • 0-500: R0.9063/kWh
  • 501-1000: R1.0401/kWh
  • 1001-2000: R1.1168/kWh
  • 2,001-3000: R1.1783/kWh
  • 3,001+kWh: R1.2361/kWh
Service Charge 60A: R276.47
Network Charge: R93.85
DSM: 4c/kWh

Pre-Paid:
  • 0-500: R 0.9426/kWh
  • 501-1000: R1.0709/kWh
  • 1001-2000: R1.1499/kWh
  • 2,001-3000: R1.2990/kWh
  • 3,001+kWh: R1.4077/kWh
Service Charge 60A: - none
Network Charge: - none
DSM 4c/kWh for usage over 500kWh (Shows as Arrears Amount on FNB Banking)

All ex VAT.

Due to the Service Charge, Network Charge
Pre-Paid is cheaper up to about 5000kWh per month (About R7,100 inc VAT)

Tips for pre-paid:
Highly recommended to change from post-paid to pre-paid.
For pre-paid only load once per month, on the same day - to make use of lowest rate.
Load an initial 2000 kWh when you get the meter.
Draw down for 30 days, and top up back to 2000kWh.

If you are indigent (Proof required) - you can also apply for 100kWh Free Basic Electricity (FBE).
You can buy pre-paid using FNB Online Banking (not sure about other banks)
Click to expand...

Thank you, very helpful
 
ambroseg1 said:
In the exact same boat as you. Except we pay about R2-R3 per unit in Bloemfontein in winter. Yes we have different rates for summer and winter. Cannot understand how the guy up the street who lives in a house pays half what I do for the same usage. Simply not fair. is anyone willing to sort out the problem. No. Middle class don't strike and burn ****. We have to work.
Click to expand...

Move to Soweto and walk around black face like those students...
 
Mister 44 said:
You are doing it right. The trick is to have as few units as possible left on the meter at the end of the month.

Ockie said:
Can you explain this perhaps? I am on prepaid. Load R250 at a time and that lasts about 8 - 9 days I think. Should I then rather load R937 once per month? How is this going to work out cheaper? I am still going to fall in the second block regardless and not pay the R0.9426/kWh rate surely?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Q1. How many kWh (units) do you get for R250?
Q2. Do you always get the same kWh (units) for your R250?

I'm not sure how CoJ determine whether a 2nd,3rd,4th purchase falls in the same month.
In 2012/2013, CoJ were cheating and not applying the "telescopic" rules correctly.
CoJ used the average 6 month consumption as your base tier.
They were instructed by Nersa to apply the tiers correctly which they have been doing.

I'm not sure how CoJ determine what a month is.
Just to be safe, I only purchase on the 25th of each month.

On the 25th of each month I purchase:
R537 which gives 499.7kWh (R1.075/kWh inc VAT = R0.9426/kWh excl VAT)
R150 which gives 121.9kWh (R1.2208/kWh inc VAT + R1.21 DSM [1c/kWh] = R1.0709/kWh + R1.21DSM)
Total: R687 inc VAT for 621.6kWh
 
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Ockie said:
Can you explain this perhaps? I am on prepaid. Load R250 at a time and that lasts about 8 - 9 days I think. Should I then rather load R937 once per month? How is this going to work out cheaper? I am still going to fall in the second block regardless and not pay the R0.9426/kWh rate surely?
Click to expand...
You will only start benefiting after the 2nd month when 30 days have passed.
You have to get an initial balance that will last at least a full month.
This initial balance will be at tier 2 or 3. :-(

If you purchase once a month, you are guaranteed the first 500kWh at R0.9426/kWh (R536.97 inc VAT).
For R937 you will get:
[email protected] = R471.02 + VAT = R536.97
[email protected] = R384.04 + VAT = R396.77
R536.97+R396.77+R3.25(DSM) = R936.98 for 835kWh
 
ambroseg1 said:
In the exact same boat as you. Except we pay about R2-R3 per unit in Bloemfontein in winter. Yes we have different rates for summer and winter. Cannot understand how the guy up the street who lives in a house pays half what I do for the same usage. Simply not fair. is anyone willing to sort out the problem. No. Middle class don't strike and burn ****. We have to work.
Click to expand...

It's just as unfair as how municipal rates are based on the value of your house, which to me seems incredibly unfair. Why should you pay more for the same service just because your house is worth more?
 
The reticulation in lower income areas is rated at a lower current that suburban areas (20A vs 60/80A) this has an effect on the price of the hardware used.
 
deweyzeph said:
It's just as unfair as how municipal rates are based on the value of your house, which to me seems incredibly unfair. Why should you pay more for the same service just because your house is worth more?
Click to expand...

Same reason rich people are taxed more.

Someone has to pay for an empty R2 million flight.
 
Ockie said:
Now I am confused again. Does the new month and your tariff not reset on the 1st of every month?
Click to expand...
AFAIK, it's 30 days apart and not related to the 1st.
If anyone knows better I'd be happy to hear.
CoJ don't explain how the system works.
 
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