Prepaid Electricity Calculator South Africa (2026) — How Many Units for R100?

Use this free calculator to find out exactly how many prepaid electricity units (kWh) you will receive for any Rand amount, or calculate how much a specific number of units will cost. Based on the latest Eskom Homelight tariff rates for 2025/2026.

Eskom Prepaid Tariff Rates 2025/2026

The Eskom Homelight tariff is the standard rate for prepaid (pay-as-you-go) electricity customers supplied directly by Eskom. These rates are set annually by NERSA and include VAT and all applicable levies.

How Eskom Prepaid Electricity Works

Prepaid electricity, also known as pay-as-you-go, lets you purchase electricity tokens before you use them. When you buy prepaid electricity, you receive a 20-digit token number that you enter into your prepaid meter. The purchased units (measured in kilowatt-hours or kWh) are then loaded onto your meter and decrease as you use electricity.

Eskom uses an inclining block tariff (IBT) system for the Homelight prepaid tariff. This means the more electricity you use in a month, the higher the per-unit rate becomes. The meter resets at the beginning of each month, so your usage tier resets as well.

Your prepaid meter tracks total monthly consumption across all purchases. For example, if you buy R200 worth of electricity twice in a month, the second purchase may yield fewer units because your cumulative usage has moved into a higher tariff block.

How to Buy Prepaid Electricity

There are several convenient ways to purchase prepaid electricity in South Africa:

• Banking apps: Most South African banks (FNB, Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank, Capitec) allow you to buy prepaid electricity directly from their mobile app.
• USSD codes: Dial your bank's USSD code (e.g., *120*321# for FNB) and select the prepaid electricity option.
• Retail stores: Purchase at Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Checkers, Spar, and other participating retailers.
• Online platforms: Websites and apps like Flash, Kazang, and municipal online portals.
• Municipal offices: Visit your local Eskom or municipal office to purchase electricity directly.
• Vending machines: Available at some shopping centres and petrol stations.

You will need your prepaid meter number when purchasing. This is usually found on a sticker on the meter itself or on your previous purchase receipt.

Tips to Save Electricity and Make Your Units Last

With rising electricity costs, every unit counts. Here are practical tips to reduce your electricity consumption and stretch your prepaid units further:

1. Switch your geyser to a timer: Your geyser is the single biggest electricity consumer in most homes, using up to 40% of your electricity. Set it to heat water only during off-peak hours or for 2-3 hours per day.
2. Use LED bulbs: Replace all incandescent and CFL bulbs with LED alternatives. LEDs use up to 80% less electricity and last much longer.
3. Unplug appliances on standby: TVs, microwaves, and phone chargers still draw power when plugged in but not in use. Use a multi-plug with a switch to easily cut standby power.
4. Cook efficiently: Use lids on pots, match pot size to plate size, and consider using a gas stove or solar cooker for some meals.
5. Insulate your home: Ceiling insulation can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 40%. Use door snakes and seal gaps around windows.
6. Use cold water for laundry: Modern detergents work effectively in cold water. Only use hot water cycles when absolutely necessary.
7. Set your fridge to 4-5 degrees Celsius: Colder settings waste electricity. Keep the fridge well-stocked (full fridges are more efficient) and avoid placing it next to the stove or in direct sunlight.
8. Iron in bulk: Irons use a lot of electricity to heat up. Iron all your clothes in one session rather than heating the iron multiple times during the week.

Frequently Asked Questions