How to Buy Electricity Online: A Comprehensive Guide
Buying prepaid electricity online is a popular option for many South African consumers, especially those who want to manage their electricity expenditures more effectively. Prepaid plans are also convenient because they are flexible without a long-term contract commitment.
So how to buy electricity online in South Africa? This guide will introduce prepaid plans and walk you through the steps of buying prepaid electricity online. You can also find useful tips for ensuring a smooth electricity purchasing experience!
What is Prepaid Electricity in South Africa?
Just like buying data plans for mobiles, consumers can use a prepaid system to pay for their electricity usage upfront in South Africa. That is to say, prepaid electricity is provided on a pay-as-you-go basis. Consumers can easily buy electricity units at supermarkets, pharmacies, service stations, major banks, ATMs, or through various online platforms.
So how does the prepaid electricity work in practice? Users will need to install prepaid meters in their homes for tracking electricity consumption. The electricity supply will be cut off automatically when you've used all your purchased units. But worry not, it will be restored once you top up.
Prepaid electricity is a practical and convenient system that allows users to have more control over their energy costs and avoid unexpected bills.
How to Buy Electricity Online in South Africa?
In South Africa, consumers can buy prepaid electricity online. This is quite convenient because you can purchase electricity using your computer or smartphone without visiting a physical store. Here’s how to buy city power electricity online in different ways.
1. Buy Electricity Online via Banks
You can buy prepaid electricity online with popular banks in South Africa, such as Standard Bank, Nedbank, etc. Here’s an example of buying electricity with online banking via Nedbank.
Step 1. Go to Nedbank’s online banking. Log in with your account. Click on Buy or claim free electricity.
Step 2. Pick your preferred electricity type. Prepaid or Free Basic Electricity. Enter the meter number for the Prepaid electricity option.
Step 3. Choose an account to pay for the electricity. Review your order and proceed to payment.
Step 4. You can download your token for prepaid electricity later.
2. Buy Electricity Online via Cellphone
You can also buy prepaid electricity online with your phone. Here’s how.
Step 1. Dial *120*001# and log in with your 5-digit cellphone banking PIN.
Step 2. Choose Electricity in the main menu. Accept the terms and proceed to “Buy electricity.”
Step 3. Choose the account for payment. Select the recipient or enter the meter number.
Step 4. Input the electricity units you want to buy. Review and proceed to payment. You will get the voucher code via SMS later.
3. Buy Electricity Online via Mobile App
The Nedbank Money app is also where you can buy electricity online hassle-free. Here are simple steps.
Step 1. Launch the Money app and log in. Head to Transact > Buy > Buy prepaid or claim free basic electricity.
Step 2. Choose the recipient and meter number. Enter the amount of electricity you want to buy and proceed.
Step 3. Review the details and tap on the Buy option to complete the payment. You will see your voucher number soon.
Tips for a Smooth Online Electricity Purchase Experience
With the specific guides above, it should be super easy to buy electricity online in South Africa. Before you purchase prepaid electricity online, here are a few tips that can ensure a secure and smooth buying experience.
Choose a Reliable Vendor
First off, make sure to use a trustworthy platform to buy electricity online. For instance, the official Electricity.co.za, SnapScan, and many banking apps are reliable, allowing you to purchase electricity online securely.
Compare the Price
It’s crucial to compare the pricing of different providers when you buy electricity online. For instance, some online vendors like Prepaid24 and Citiq Prepaid might have competitive prices, compared to the official outlets.
Buy at the Start
It’s recommended to buy prepaid electricity at the beginning of the month because it allows you to enjoy the lowest rate, especially in municipalities with Incline Block Tariffs (IBT) systems, where the rates are tiered based on consumption. Specifically, the price per unit is lower in the initial block (Block 1) and increases as usage rises within a given month.
If you do not want to move into higher tariff blocks, the only way is to save electricity at home. For instance, switching to energy-efficient appliances to lower your electricity usage.
There is also another solution to stay in that cheaper block. You can reduce your electricity consumption by using a solar generator. By pairing it with solar panels, you can use the electricity generated by the sun, reducing your reliance on the power grid and saving on electricity bills.
There are tons of solar system providers out there; the only problem is which one to use. With an extensive line-up of solar generators and reasonable solar panel prices, EcoFlow stands out as a smart choice for off-grid solar power solutions.
Buy Enough Amounts
Buy enough amounts of electricity that last for the entire month. Otherwise, you might have to pay more per unit because the rate increases at a later time in the month.
Monitor Your Consumption
Track your electricity usage to ensure you are using energy wisely. Monitoring your average consumption is also helpful for estimation before you buy electricity online next time.
It is worth noting that when you run out of prepaid units, the electricity will be cut off. This is the time you need a home backup power supply solution like a power station. When the blackout hits, it can keep your appliances running, from your television to your refrigerator to the dishwasher and more.
A reliable option to consider is the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Portable Power Station. With an expandable capacity of up to 25kWh and the ability to power 99% of home appliances, it’s a strong backup solution for prepaid electricity users who need dependable energy during unexpected outages.
Conclusion
Prepaid electricity plans allow consumers to control their energy usage and spend wisely. This guide introduced prepaid electricity in South Africa, how to buy electricity online, and tips for making a smooth purchase. If you want to avoid overspending on electricity, consider investing in EcoFlow’s solar power systems for your home. They can significantly reduce your reliance on the power grid and help you save on electricity costs in the long run.
FAQs
Can I purchase electricity online?
Yes. You can buy electricity online in Africa from a number of online vendors, banks, and mobile apps. Here are the specifics:
Online vendors: Electricity.co.za, Powertime, Ontec, Power24, Prepaid24, Contour Technology, and Flash Group.
Banks: Many South African banks allow you to buy prepaid electricity through online banking, apps, and cellphone banking.
Mobile apps: Apps like SnapScan, 1ForYou, and FNB let you buy prepaid electricity directly.
How much is R100 electricity unit?
Based on the average rate, R3.91/kWh for the Domestic Tariff to R4.75/kWh for the Home User Tariff, R100 gives you roughly 21 to 25.5 kWh in South Africa. In addition, whether you're using electricity during peak or off-peak hours affects the consumption. Meanwhile, the amount differs depending on your providers (municipality or national).
How to buy electricity with EasyPay?
In South Africa, you can buy electricity with EasyPay by visiting its offline stores. You can also use its mobile app, EasyPay Everywhere USSD banking service, or EasyPay online banking services to buy electricity online. Just make sure that your meter is supported by EasyPay.