No-one is going to tell you that our electricity tariff increases are nothing to worry about! Eskom’s bulk tariff increase to local government of 28.9% has led to an increase of 24,6% on electricity prices, and that is going to hurt.
But there are ways to lessen the load – on your monthly bill, your worry list and on the country’s energy supply. The most significant action you can take to save electricity is to replace your geyser with a solar water heater, and save up to 40% of your energy bill.
[ad#Google Adsense 125×125 Blog Post]To help householders do this, Eskom has announced a substantial increase in the solar water heater cash-back rebate system (in some cases up to 120% of the previous subsidy), where buyers of such units can get cash back for a percentage of the total installation cost.
The amount of any particular Solar Water Heating (SWH) rebate is calculated according to the performance and reliability of each individual type of SWH system. The more reliable and effective the system is – according to compulsory tests carried out by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) – the more of a rebate you will receive.
It is your responsibility, as the customer, to claim back the rebate. When you buy a SWH, you will be given a claim form for the rebate. Your installer will then need to complete the relevant details on the claim form, and you will need to send the form to the auditors (whose details are on the claim form). Claims take eight weeks to process. The following details must be entered onto the claim form:
- A certified copy of your ID
- Proof of address (a copy of one of your utility bills, such as your telephone account)
- A copy of your electricity bill and/or pre-paid meter number
- Bank account details (as the rebate is paid directly back into your bank account)
Once you have an installed SWH, you can expect to save up to at least 40% on your monthly electricity bill – perhaps even more. The average payback period for a good quality system is about seven to ten years, and considering that a SWH works for more than 20 years, you’re looking at free water heating for a long, long time.
Visit Eskom’s Demand Side Management website for details of accredited and tested SWH systems and suppliers in your area. Demand Side Management (DSM) is the art of managing the use of electricity, keeping electricity supply flowing smoothly and constantly, and avoiding massive ‘peaks’ and ‘dips’ in supply and demand.
The Eskom Solar Water Heating Programme is driven by National Government, which has set a target for renewable energy to contribute 10 000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of final energy consumption by 2013. Solar water heating could contribute up to 23% of this target. Eskom is supporting this drive through the large-scale introduction of solar water heating, as it is one of the most effective renewable energy sources available.
Eskom’s DSM site includes a calculator residential electricity use, details of accredited energy service companies (ESCOs), and lists of providers of SWH and geyser insulation.
For more information, telephone Eskom’s solar help desk on 011 800 4744.
Three steps to claiming your rebate from Eskom:
- Your supplier/installer will give you the claim form, with their details filled in
- Complete your details and attach the required documents (original invoice, copy of ID and copy of utility bill and/or electricity bill as proof of residence)
- Post the claim to facilitating auditors, Deloitte, in the self addressed envelope provided or drop the envelope off in a designated drop box within six months of installation
You will receive an SMS notification when the auditors receive your application, when your application is processed and queued for electronic payment or if your application is incomplete. Payment of the rebate is made within eight weeks from date of receipt.
