"It's That Cheap": SA Man Breaks Down the Surprising Monthly Electricity Cost of Running a Hairdryer
- A man breaks down the monthly cost of running a hairdryer to dispel common misconceptions about its electricity usage
- He calculates the cost based on moderate usage, providing a surprising perspective on the affordability of using a hairdryer
- The video sparks discussion among South Africans, with many sharing their thoughts on household energy use and costs
- Briefly News spoke to financial expert Fulufhelani Mashapha about how South African households could benefit financially from adopting electricity-saving measures
A man has gone viral online after breaking down the monthly cost of running a hairdryer, proving it is far cheaper than many people assume.
Source: TikTok
According to Meerkat.co.za, the state-owned electricity company Eskom raised average prices for direct consumers by 12.74% on April 1, 2025. They also reported that the municipalities, including Cape Town, experienced a comparable hike (11.32% for bulk purchases) beginning July 1, 2025. These hikes fit into a broader pattern of South Africa's electricity prices increasing.
Man breaks down monthly electricity cost of hairdryer
Taking to his social media account, Wes Reddy began by asking viewers:
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“Does your hairdryer break the bank on the electricity bill? Let’s find out.”
He explained in a video, which he shared on Facebook on 19 August 2025, that the average hairdryer uses around 2kWh of electricity per month when used moderately.
To make his calculations clear, he used his wife as an example, saying she fully dries her hair in just three minutes. For accuracy, he extended the drying time to five minutes per session. Based on the assumption of three washes per week, the total usage works out to 15 minutes weekly, or roughly one hour per month.
Wes Reddy then broke down the maths, saying one hour of usage equals 2kWh of electricity. At an average cost of R4 per kWh, that amounts to R8 per month. He emphasised that even if someone doubled their usage, it would still remain very affordable.
The content creator concluded by reassuring viewers that they need not worry about drying their hair often, saying:
“Go ahead, use the hairdryer, it does not break the bank.”
Wes Reddy's video has sparked discussion among South Africans, many of whom admitted they had never thought about the actual cost of using small household appliances. Some expressed relief at the breakdown, noting that they had always assumed hairdryers consumed significantly more electricity.
With load-shedding and rising utility costs dominating conversations in South Africa, the simple breakdown offered a refreshing perspective on managing household energy use and reminded many that not every appliance is as costly as it seems.
Take a look at the video.
Expert tips on how SA households can save on electricity
While speaking to Briefly News, financial expert Fulufhelani Mashapha how South African households could save on electricity by saying:
"Long-term savings can be achieved by actively looking for methods to increase efficiency, whether through the use of cost-effective appliances, energy-saving practices, or smart home technologies."
She added:
"Redirecting these savings can improve households' financial security and assist them in achieving other significant financial objectives."
SA voices their thoughts on the electricity issue
People in South Africa took to the comments section to share their thoughts on the man's insightful findings and the electricity issue in Mzansi.
Anusha Reddy said:
"Thank you for your videos. It's very helpful in understanding electricity consumption. Please share a video on hair straighteners, average use 10-15 mins?"
Brent De Luca wrote:
"We produce around 36Kwh per day from our solar system. Ladies, blow dry all you want."
Leah-Anne Hart added:
"Can you tell us what does use the most in our homes? We have changed from plasma TV’s to LED which we were told draws less power."
Juanita Elizabeth Odendaal Zietsman shared:
"It takes me 20 minutes to dry my hair, twice a week."
Source: TikTok
More stories on electricity by Briefly News
- A South African man has taken to social media to break down how prepaid metering systems work, offering clarity to tenants, landlords, and homeowners alike.
- A South African man has broken down the cost of running a Wi-Fi router for an entire month, and the numbers have sparked interest online.
- A South African man has sparked conversation online after breaking down the cost of using an electric blanket, showing just how affordable it can be to stay warm during winter.
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Source: Briefly News
Johana Mukandila (Human Interest Editor) Johana Tshidibi Mukandila has been a Human Interest Reporter at Briefly News since 2023. She has over four years of experience as a multimedia journalist. Johana holds a national diploma in journalism from the Cape Peninsula University Of Technology (2023). She has worked at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, PAICTA, BONA Magazine and Albella Music Production. She is currently furthering her education in journalism at the CPUT. She has passed a set of trainings from Google News Initiative. Reach her at johana.mukandila@briefly.co.za
Fulufhelani Mashapha (Author and Actuarial Analyst) Fulufhelani Mashapha is a qualified actuarial analyst and author of 'Mind Your Cents'. She is also a One Young World Ambassador and Personal Finance Youtuber focusing on budgets, debt, savings, insurance and investments.
