“How Much WiFi Costs You Monthly”: Johannesburg Man Shares Electricity Saving Tips on a WiFi Router

• A Johannesburg electrical expert revealed the shocking monthly cost of keeping your WiFi router running 24/7
• The calculation showed that standard routers consume specific units per month, translating to a surprising amount
• South Africans were divided in the comments, with some questioning the figures while others appreciated the advice
• Briefly News spoke to financial expert Fulufhelani Mashapha about the potential financial benefits South African households could gain

A Johannesburg electrical expert has left South Africans counting their costs after breaking down exactly how much money WiFi routers drain from electricity bills every month.

Content creator @wes.reddy.9, who works at Bidvest Electrical and previously at East Coast Radio, shared the eye-opening calculation in a viral TikTok video posted mid-July with the caption:

"How much your Wi-Fi router really costs you monthly 💸 (And how to cut that cost!)"

In the video, the electrical specialist explained that a standard internet WiFi router uses 18 watts of power per hour. He worked through the maths, showing viewers that multiplying this by 24 hours a day for 30 days per month, then dividing by 1,000 for kilowatt hours, results in 12.96 kilowatt hours monthly. At four rand per unit, this totals R51.84 per month just for keeping the router running non-stop.

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The electrical expert offered a straightforward solution for those wanting to reduce their WiFi costs and extend their router's lifespan. He suggested switching the router off every night when going to bed and turning it back on in the morning, acknowledging that while R51.84 monthly isn't a lot, every saving helps during tough economic times.

The video quickly gained traction, accumulating over 1,500 reactions as viewers shared their thoughts and questioned the calculations.

Briefly News spoke to financial expert Fulufhelani Mashapha about how South African households could save money by applying electricity-saving tips for their Wi-Fi routers. She said:

"The biggest impact of implementing electricity-saving measures, such as optimizing Wi‑Fi router usage, is the reduction in electricity consumption and, consequently, lower electricity bills-particularly during winter when the unit cost of electricity is higher."

Mzansi reacts to electricity costs

@Lilly Blu asked about other appliances:

"What about my snake's heatpad?"

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@Kumar Perumal raised practical concerns:

"If I switch it off during the night, how will my alarm signal to the control room work, and how will my cell phone receive messages in case of an emergency?"

@Gerard van Rooi wanted more information:

"What energy does gaming use, 2 PS units?"

@Leon Janse van Rensburg appreciated the content:

"Thank you for all the information."

@Ranginie Chetty defended her choice:

"No, then when I wake up at 2 am in the morning, no WiFi. Nope, I don't take sugar in my tea and coffee. I save almost R100 per month."

@Ryan Devraj questioned the figures:

"It doesn't draw 18W, no way in hell!"

Eskom tariffs add pressure

According to Eskom, the power utility implemented new tariffs in 2025 with a 12.74% annual average increase approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on 11 March 2025. The tariff changes include simplified pricing for low-consumption households, with residential Homelight customers no longer paying higher rates for consumption above 350kWh.

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The new tariff structure aims to align more closely with the actual costs of supplying electricity, introducing a stronger user-pays principle. Energy charges are now unbundled into separate components, including legacy costs per kilowatt-hour and generation capacity charges, making it easier for consumers to understand their electricity expenses.

Watch the Facebook reel below:

Here are some electricity-saving tips tailored for South African households, based on official guidance from the South African government and Eskom:

1. Switch off all lights and appliances at the wall when not in use. Even devices left on standby can use up to 10% of your electricity bill.
2. Use energy-efficient bulbs like CFLs or LEDs, as they use much less electricity and last longer.
3. Save geyser energy by lowering the thermostat to around 60 degrees Celsius and switching it off during peak times, between 5 and 9 in the evening.
4. Only boil the amount of water you need. Larger kettles use more electricity.
5. When cooking, always match your pot size to the stove plate. Using a small pot on a large plate wastes electricity.

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3 Other stories about electricity costs

• Briefly News recently reported on a woman who compared her R300 electricity units from 2014 versus 2025, but the shocking difference she discovered had South Africans calling for government intervention.
• A man's detailed breakdown of electric blanket power usage impressed many viewers, though his final calculation for staying warm all night surprised everyone with how affordable it actually was.
• A frustrated woman completely stopped using her geyser after R1,000 electricity lasted only 10 days, but her brilliant alternative solution had Mzansi amazed at her creativity.

Updated by Hilary Sekgota, Human Interest HOD at Briefly News.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News