The Gas Works News Blog

The cost of electricity in South Africa has become impossible to ignore. Tariff increases, inconsistent supply, and constant load shedding have forced many households to rethink how they power their homes. For a growing number of people, gas is no longer just an alternative—it’s a practical response to rising costs and unreliable infrastructure.

But switching to gas comes with questions. Not just about installation costs, but about long-term value. Is it cheaper to cook with gas or electricity? What does it cost to run a gas geyser? And is the upfront investment worth it?

The answer depends on how you use energy, what you value in your home, and whether you’re looking for short-term relief or long-term savings.

Here's what to know before you make the switch.

Is Gas Cheaper Than Electricity in South Africa?

On the surface, gas is almost always cheaper to run than electricity—especially when it comes to cooking and heating water. While exact savings depend on how much energy your household uses and what appliances you run, gas generally wins in two key areas: cost per unit and efficiency.

Let’s break it down:

• Electricity tariffs continue to rise every year, with annual increases often outpacing inflation. In many areas, households are now paying over R2.50 per kWh.
• LP gas, on the other hand, averages between R30 and R35 per kilogram depending on location and supplier. And because gas delivers instant, direct heat, it’s often used more efficiently than electricity.

Here’s a simple comparison:

• Boiling a kettle - An electric kettle may use up to 2,000 watts per boil, while a gas stove brings the same amount of water to temperature using less overall energy—and in less time.
• Heating water for a shower - A traditional electric geyser keeps water hot all day, even when not in use. A gas geyser only uses energy when you open the tap, making it far more efficient in households with irregular schedules.

What this means in practice is that gas not only costs less per unit—it also gives you more control over when and how that energy is used.

How Much Does It Cost to Switch to Gas?

The cost of switching to gas depends on how much of your home you want to convert. For some, it’s as simple as installing a gas hob. For others, it may involve running gas lines to multiple points, fitting a gas geyser, or replacing electric appliances entirely.

But no matter the setup, what you’re really paying for is independence from the grid—and in many cases, a faster return on investment than people expect.

Here’s where most of the cost goes:

• The appliance itself (hob, geyser, fireplace, etc.)
• Installation by a registered gas installer
• Safety components like regulators, copper piping, brackets, and proper ventilation
• Certificate of Compliance (CoC), which is legally required and confirms the work meets national safety standards

While the upfront spend may feel higher than buying a new plug-in electric appliance, gas tends to pay for itself over time—especially in households where electricity usage is already high or unpredictable due to load shedding.

What makes the switch worthwhile isn’t just the potential to save each month—it’s the consistency gas brings to your daily life. You heat water when you want to. You cook even when the lights are off. You don’t pay extra just to keep systems running in the background.

Which Is Cheaper to Cook With—Gas or Electric?

Cooking is one of the easiest places to feel the difference between gas and electric—not just in cost, but in control. With gas, heat is immediate. You use exactly what you need, when you need it. And when the flame goes off, so does the consumption.

Electric cooking, by contrast, takes longer to heat up and cool down. Energy continues to be drawn even after you’ve removed the pot. That might seem minor on a single meal, but over time, the inefficiency adds up.

Here’s what makes gas more economical for cooking:

• Instant heat means less time spent on the stove and no wasted energy in preheating coils or waiting for plates to cool.
• Heat control is more precise, so you’re less likely to overcook or leave burners running unnecessarily.
• No idle draw—when the flame’s off, the usage stops. Electric hobs, even modern ones, often cycle or maintain heat longer than needed.

Over weeks and months, this adds up to measurable savings—especially in larger households or homes where cooking happens daily.

Beyond cost, many people also prefer gas for the cooking experience itself: fast response, better temperature control, and fewer limitations during load shedding.

The Hidden Ways Gas Saves You Money

The savings from gas don’t always show up on your monthly utility bill. Often, they come from what you avoid paying for down the line.

Here’s how gas quietly keeps costs down:

• Fewer appliance failures - Gas appliances have fewer moving parts and no elements to burn out. That means less risk of breakdowns—and longer gaps between repairs or replacements.
• Less pressure on your inverter or generator - Switching high-consumption appliances like geysers or stoves to gas dramatically reduces the load on your backup systems. That means smaller batteries, less fuel, and longer lifespans for your solar or generator setup.
• No standby power drain - Electric geysers and certain stoves draw power constantly—even when you’re not using them. Gas doesn’t. You only use what you burn, when you burn it.
• Lower risk of electrical damage during load shedding - Fridges, microwaves, and TVs are the usual victims of power surges. But heavy-load appliances like stoves and geysers are just as vulnerable. Gas keeps them off the circuit entirely.
• Better insurance outcomes when your system is compliant - A properly installed and certified gas system reduces your liability in the event of a claim. It’s one less reason for your insurer to reject a payout.

These are the kinds of costs that don’t get mentioned when comparing tariffs—but they add up. Over a few years, the difference can be significant.

Why More South Africans Are Still Switching to Gas

Even with the recent break from load shedding, most households know better than to assume it’s over for good. Years of blackouts, rising electricity costs, and strained infrastructure have changed the way South Africans think about power—for good.

Gas offers something that’s hard to put a price on: consistency.

People are moving to gas not just to cut costs, but to avoid being caught off guard again. It’s a way to cook dinner without checking the load shedding schedule. To have hot water without relying on a geyser that runs all day. To run a household that isn’t thrown off every time the lights flicker.

There’s also a growing awareness that energy independence isn’t extreme—it’s practical. Especially when the solutions are already proven, safe, and widely adopted.

More and more homeowners are taking this step, not out of panic, but out of preference. Because the best time to make your home more resilient isn’t in a crisis—it’s when things are still working.

The Gas Works – Professional Gas Installations in Cape Town

Switching to gas is one of the most practical upgrades a household can make—but only when it’s installed safely, legally, and with care.

At The Gas Works, we don’t just fit appliances. We build reliable systems that meet national safety standards and stand up to daily use. Whether you're installing a gas hob, upgrading to a gas geyser, or planning a full conversion, we handle every part of the process—from design and installation to pressure testing and certification.

Our team of gas installers is fully registered, and every installation is issued with a valid Certificate of Compliance. No shortcuts. No guesswork. Just work we’re proud to stand behind.

If you're ready to make the switch, we're ready to do it properly. 

Contact us to find out more.