How the units are calculated
Amount available for units = amount − fixed charges deducted from this purchase Units = money spent in each block ÷ that block’s price per kWh, starting from the units you have already bought this month
If your tariff has blocks, the calculator fills the block you are in first, then moves to the next block at the higher price. It also tells you how many units you can still buy before the price rises.
Verified tariffs used
| Supplier | Tariff | Price per kWh (incl. VAT) | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eskom Direct | Homelight 20A | R2.7030 | 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027 |
| Eskom Direct | Homelight 60A | R3.4361 | 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027 |
| City of Cape Town | Domestic | R4.14 (to 600 kWh), R4.94 above + R2.46/day | 2026/27 |
| City of Cape Town | Lifeline | R2.83 | 2026/27 |
Eskom-direct homes on Homepower or Homeflex tariffs, and homes supplied by other municipalities, should use the “enter your tariff” option.
Worked examples
R500 on Eskom Homelight 20A
Homelight 20A has a single rate of 270.30 c/kWh including VAT for 2026/27, so R500 buys about 185 kWh.
How your units are worked out
- Amount
- R500.00
- Block 1 at R2.703/kWh
- 185 kWh
- Units you get
- 185 kWh
R1 000 in Cape Town (Domestic), first purchase of the month
The Service and Wires charge for 30 days (R73.80) comes off first; the rest buys units at R4.14/kWh while you stay under 600 kWh for the month.
How your units are worked out
- Amount
- R1 000.00
- Less: fixed charges
- −R73.80
- Block 1 at R4.14/kWh
- 223.7 kWh
- Units you get
- 223.7 kWh
How much will 350 kWh cost on Homelight 60A?
At R3.4361 per kWh including VAT, 350 kWh costs about R1 202.64.
Breakdown
- Block 1: 350 kWh × R3.4361
- R1 202.64
- Total to spend
- R1 202.64
Frequently asked questions
Why do I get fewer units later in the month?
Many municipalities use inclining block tariffs — the first units you buy each calendar month are cheapest, and the price rises as your monthly total crosses each block. The blocks reset on the first of the month. Spreading purchases does not help; your monthly total decides the price.
Why does my first purchase of the month buy fewer units?
Some municipalities recover a fixed service, network or capacity charge from your prepaid purchases. Cape Town, for example, deducts a daily Service and Wires charge on Domestic tariffs for the days since your last purchase.
Where do I find my municipality’s tariff?
Municipalities publish approved electricity tariffs each year with their budget (usually effective from 1 July). Look for the residential prepaid tariff in the schedule on your municipality’s website, or check your token slip.
Why isn’t my municipality listed?
Balawise only lists tariffs it has checked against the supplier’s own published schedule. We could not yet verify City Power (Johannesburg), Tshwane or eThekwini rates for 2026/27, so you can enter your tariff in the meantime.
Do these rates include VAT?
Yes. All rates used are VAT inclusive, because that is what you pay when you buy a token.