"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

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.

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, “Does your hairdryer break the bank on the electricity bill? Let’s find out.”

Read also

South African broke student shows off R400 grocery haul and its prices

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:

Read also

"It's ridiculous": Gent breaks down how prepaid metering works in South Africa, Mzansi chimes in

“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.

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?"

Read also

A video showed Shoprite meals that cost less and impressed many with their surprising affordability

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."

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.

Source: Briefly News