GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality will be implementing an average electricity price increase of 8% and various electricity tariff structure changes from 1 July. 

These changes can impact what you pay for electricity and how you use electricity in your home or business in future.

According to a statement issued last week, consumers who on average purchase 400kWh or less per month would benefit from being placed on a 20 amp capacity. 

"This is done to protect our indigent consumers, small domestic as well as small commercial consumers from paying fixed charges," reads the statement.

"The annual historical monthly average consumption will be used to determine the consumers who can be placed on 20 amp capacity. These consumers will be required to do some load management in order to maximise the benefit of being on a 20 amp capacity."

The statement sets out the implications as follows:

What can you do with 20 amp capacity?

The load management will require that a consumer does not operate appliances, exceeding a total load of 4 600W at the same time. This means that the consumer could easily switch on all lights, radios, TVs with decoder, fridge, freezer, fan, computer, all types of chargers and toaster at the same time. 

Consumers will need to start managing the switching on of their appliances which generate heat. Don't try and run them all at the same time as you will exceed the 4 600W. 

The heat-generating appliances are tumble dryers, washing machines, dishwashers, heaters, kettles, stoves, geysers, air-conditioner, hair dryers, underfloor heating and a number of others not listed here.

Through load management, the consumers using an average of 400kWh or less per month can easily continue with not much impact and be protected against paying fixed charges. 

Consumers who will be unable to manage their load within the 20 amp capacity, will have an option to choose a higher capacity and be subjected to the applicable fixed charges.

Further information on understanding the potential electricity cost and management of loads, and how to make a decision about the capacity you can choose, will be provided. Keep an eye on our social media and the municipal website for further details.

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