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Prepaid and credit meters<h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​The benefits of prepaid</h2> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note">​​​</i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Prepaid meters must be updated</h4><p> The current electricity metering software for all prepaid meters in South Africa is due to expire in 2024. We will be rolling-out the meter updates in phases according to <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/general/prepaid-electricity-meter-update-project" target="_blank">a schedule</a>.</p></div></div></span> <p>If you use a prepaid meter, you have more control over your electricity bill because you can monitor your usage.​</p> <span> <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/Electricity%20Energy%20-%20Prepaid%20And%20Energy%20Metres%201%20-%20Inline%20Graphic.jpg" alt="" style="width:712px;" /></figure></span> <p>Depending on your average monthly usage and your property value, prepaid customers can also benefit from free monthly electricity allocation. See our section on <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-electricity-services/the-cost-of-electricity">the cost of electricity</a> for more information on how you are charged.</p>​ ​ <div class="mobile-scroll"> ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ <table> <caption> <strong>Here are the main differences between the two</strong></caption> <thead><tr><th>​Credit me​ter</th><th>Prepayment meter​</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>​​​​Meter is located on or near your property.</li><li>Regular readings are taken by the City.</li><li>You’ll receive a monthly account from the Municipality and pay in arrears.</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>​A prepayment meter is usually installed on the pavement, with a display in the house.</li><li>​Electricity is bought in advance. You therefore won’t need meter readings or receive accounts.</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div>​​​​​​​​​​ <h4> Reasons to go prepaid: </h4><ul><li>You won’t sit with a huge bill at the end of the month.</li><li>You can track how much electricity your household or business uses, down to the minute.</li><li>You can control how much you spend on electricity.</li><li>It’s ideal for communal renting or leasing. No more bill disputes!</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Change to prepaid​​​​​</h2><p>Changing from a credit meter is made easy. Find out how to <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/Electricity/Apply-for-a-prepaid-electricity-meter">apply for a prepaid meter</a>.</p><h4> What happens when I change over?</h4><p>If you have a credit meter and you want to move to a prepaid meter, a cut-off reading is taken on your credit meter when the new prepaid meter is installed in your home or property.​</p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Buy electricity</h2> <p> You can buy electricity from a number of online vendors or retail outlets. <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Pay/Municipal-accounts/Electricity/Buy-electricity">Find out how to buy electricity</a>.<br></p> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​Reading credit meters​​</h2></span> <p>Our meter readers visit your property once a month or at least once every three months. You can identify them by their uniform. They always carry official City of Cape Town identification.​</p> <span> <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/Electricity%20Energy%20-%20Prepaid%20And%20Energy%20Metres%202%20-%20Inline%20Graphic.jpg" alt="" style="width:712px;" /></figure></span> <p>Where access to the meter cannot be safely obtained, your bill will reflect an estimated amount based on your average monthly usage. It is therefore important that you help them do their job well.</p><p>You can also submit your own meter reading via our ​e-Services portal or by email to <em> <a href="mailto:accounts@capetown.gov.za">accounts@capetown.gov.za</a></em>. You can also call us on <em> <a> 0860 103 089</a></em>.</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading white-copy yellow bg-darker-grey"><div class="graphic"> <i class="info citycard">​​</i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Pay/Municipal-accounts/Electricity/pay-your-rates-and-services-account">Pay your bill</a></p></div></div></span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Stolen or damaged prepaid meters</h2><h4>Private property</h4><p> We are not responsible for stolen or damaged meters on private property, if your meter has been stolen you will need to <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/Electricity/Apply-for-a-prepaid-electricity-meter">apply for a new meter</a>.</p><ul><li>You will be responsible for covering all related costs for the replacement of the meter.</li><li>If you have insurance, you can contact them to find out if they can cover some or all of the costs.</li></ul><h4>City-owned property</h4><p>If you are renting a property from us and your meter has been stolen/vandalised, you can follow the process below to have it replaced:</p><ul><li>Go to your nearest police station and open a case so that you can get a case number. </li><li> Contact our Call Centre on <em> <a>0860 103 089</a></em> and give the Call Centre Agent the case number.</li></ul><p>Once we have received the case number, we will log a request and schedule a meter replacement.</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note">​​​</i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p> Your complaint will be sent to our vendors who will receive it within 24 hours. Completion of the installation will depend on the severity and complexity of the damage. The technician will explain everything to you once he has assessed the situation.</p></div></div></span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Move your meter to a different location</h2><p>If you need to move your meter to another area of your home, you must follow the process below: </p><ul><li>Apply for a disconnection/reconnection </li><li>Once your application has been processed, an inspector will be sent out to remove the face off the meter and disconnect it.</li><li>You will need to contact a qualified private electrician to move the meter. The electrician must submit a compliance certificate at the municipal office after completing the work.</li><li>An inspector will come back to your property and check your meter after it has been moved. If the inspector is happy with the work, the electricity will be reconnected.</li></ul><p>Find out how to <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/Electricity/Apply-for-an-electricity-connection">apply for an electricity connection/disconnection</a>.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">​Contact us</h2><p> <em>Telephone: <br><a> 0860 103 089</a><br><br>Email: <br><a title="title" href="mailto:accounts@capetown.gov.za">accounts@capetown.gov.za</a></em> </p><p>You can <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Report/Municipal-services-and-maintenance/Submit-a-service-request/Submit%20a%20service%20request%20online">report a fault online</a>. <br></p> <br>GP0|#48a412e9-b1d7-4890-a915-c0ca8e27a126;L0|#048a412e9-b1d7-4890-a915-c0ca8e27a126|Prepaid and credit meters;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#9a52d66f-57c1-4cb8-b297-6994dd682ede;GPP|#99fac000-f3ac-4774-9ffd-e5e59a130e21;GPP|#e88ff549-973f-4e3c-a46c-cfbe61bd6a24;GP0|#daeb79df-597d-43f4-a3ad-1f0fe0529d55;L0|#0daeb79df-597d-43f4-a3ad-1f0fe0529d55|Prepaid and credit meters;GPP|#034940d1-0e3a-4366-8246-c524fcee34b2;GPP|#a3964d56-b74d-4d64-95c1-ff381a88a277;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711Learn the difference between a credit meter and a prepayment meter, and understand how meter readings are taken.0

 

 

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