How long can I run my electric geyser with this budget?

How it works

Understand the estimate

A 3 kW element uses 3 kWh when heating continuously for one hour. The estimated running cost is power multiplied by hours multiplied by the rate per kWh.

Make it more accurate

Count only the hours when the element is heating. A geyser can keep water warm while the element is off.

The starting figures are examples. Replace them with the rates or prices that apply to you.

The element does not heat all day

A geyser thermostat switches the heating element on and off. Its rated kilowatts do not mean it runs at full power for every hour the cylinder is on. Actual use depends on hot water drawn, incoming water temperature, cylinder insulation, pipe losses and thermostat settings.

Example: If a 3 kW element runs for one hour, it uses 3 kWh. At an illustrative R3/kWh that is R9. Your R300 budget would cover about 33 hours of continuous heating, but not necessarily 33 days of hot-water use.

Before relying on the estimate

Use the time the element actually spends heating. Leaving the geyser switched on does not mean the element runs continuously.

For more detail, read our calculation and editorial standards. Use your own bill, receipt or quote for current prices. These tools do not fetch live rates.