"I Have 3": Oil-Filled Heater Test Reveals R840 Monthly Cost as SA Electricity Prices Surge
- Johannesburg content creator Wes Reddy tested a 2000-watt oil filled heater to see how much it costs South Africans to run daily
- Reddy found the heater costs around R7 per hour at the current electricity rate of R3.50 per unit
- South Africans in the comments were not surprised, with many saying the heaters are simply not worth the electricity bill
- Briefly News writer Gloria Masia spoke to Sithole Electrical Contractors, who shared expert advice on choosing and safely using heaters during South Africa’s winter months
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Source: Facebook
A Johannesburg content creator put a popular home heater to the test. Wes Reddy, who regularly shares electricity tips and tricks, ran a full performance review of a 2000-watt oil filled heater so his followers would not have to find out the hard way.
Reddy placed a temperature sensor one metre from the heater and monitored the room over 30 minutes. The result? The room temperature climbed by only about 3 degrees. The heater also took a considerable amount of time before it began to make any noticeable difference.
What the electricity bill actually looks like
At South Africa's current rate of R3.50 per unit of electricity, running the heater costs roughly R7 per hour. Over a four-hour stretch, that adds up to R28. For anyone using it daily, the monthly bill lands at around R840 — a significant expense at a time when electricity costs are already climbing.
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Eskom increased tariffs for direct customers from April 2026, while municipal customers faced an average 9.01% hike from July 2026. City Power in Johannesburg implemented an 8.63% increase. Over the longer term, electricity prices have risen by 987% since 2007, compared to general inflation of 150% over the same period.
Reddy stamped his verdict clearly: the heater uses a lot of electricity, takes too long to warm a room, and at 2000 watts, ranks among the more expensive options available. "For me, this one isn't a favourite," he said.
Sithole Electrical Contractors told Briefly News writer Gloria Masia that oil-filled heaters are among the safest options for households, while ceramic fan heaters can also work well in smaller spaces when used correctly.
“Oil-filled radiators are generally among the safest options because they do not have exposed heating elements and continue providing warmth after being switched off. For smaller spaces, modern ceramic fan heaters with thermostats can also be energy-efficient, as they heat a room quickly and cycle off once the desired temperature is reached.”
The electrical contractors also warned that the way people use their heaters can have a major impact on both their electricity bills and household safety.
“Some of the most common mistakes include running heaters continuously instead of using the thermostat or timer functions, heating empty rooms or leaving heaters on overnight unnecessarily, and plugging high-power heaters into extension leads or multi-plugs that are not rated for the load. This can cause overheating and increase the risk of electrical fires.”
Sithole Electrical Contractors encouraged South Africans to focus on retaining heat in their homes before relying heavily on electric heaters, especially as electricity costs continue to rise.
“The most cost-effective approach is to reduce heat loss before increasing heating. Keep doors and windows closed, seal drafts where possible, and use curtains to retain heat. Dress in warm layers and use blankets to reduce reliance on electric heaters. If a heater is needed, only heat the room that is being occupied and switch it off when leaving.”
Mzansi agrees the heater is not worth it
South Africans in the comments section had plenty to say in the comments section of the Facebook page:
@Donny MacAskill said:
"I have 3 in my garage and they staying there 🤣🤣🤣 Voetsek Oil Heaters!! 🤣🤣🤣"
@Dharmesh Amrathlal suggested:
"3 panel gas heater is best, it heats the room quickly then drop it to 1 panel. It has safety functions also."
@Debra Daniels asked:
"Does it depend on the size of heater? Ours is a 6 Finn. Will it use less electricity?"
Watch Wes Reddy's full heater test here:
More on SA electricity and energy costs
- Briefly News recently reported on Exxaro's new R1.7 billion solar plant in Limpopo, built to save its Grootegeluk mine R100 million a year in electricity costs.
- An Eskom engineer died after suffering a fatal electric shock while on duty at a substation in Gariep Dam.
- A Cape Town man's rant about the abandoned Athlone Power Station struck a chord, with Mzansi joking the city would rather build a data centre than help the community.
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Source: Briefly News
