A prepaid electricity meter lets you pay for electricity before you use it. You buy electricity through your banking app or an approved vendor, receive a unique token, and enter it on your meter's keypad to add units. Because you only pay for what you need, prepaid electricity makes it easier to control household spending, and there's a way to load your token even during an outage. This guide covers why Cosmopolitan homes use prepaid electricity, how to buy and load it, where to buy it in your municipality, and what to do if you run into common issues.
At Cosmopolitan Projects, we believe owning a home should also make it easier to manage your monthly expenses, which is why many of our developments include prepaid utilities.
Budgeting can be difficult when monthly bills vary. A prepaid system removes much of that uncertainty because you decide when and how much electricity to buy, rather than waiting for an unexpectedly high account at month-end.
Prepaid electricity is particularly helpful for:
Your prepaid electricity meter measures usage and deducts units as you consume power. Instead of a monthly account, you buy electricity in advance and load the unique token you receive into the meter.
Many newer homes include smart prepaid electricity meters, which offer improved communication and more reliable performance than older models. The process of buying and loading electricity is simple once you know the basics, whether you have a standard or smart meter.
You'll also receive a homeowner handover pack with the details you need for your prepaid electricity and water meters, including your meter number when you receive the keys to your new home. Keep this number somewhere safe; you'll need it every time you top up.
The easiest option is through your banking app:
You can also register on electricity.co.za, or contact their support line on 010 600 0400 (Monday to Sunday, 08:00–20:00) or [email protected].
Buying options vary slightly by municipality. Here's where residents in each area can top up, in addition to their banking app:
Once you've bought your token, loading it only takes a few minutes:
If your home has an inverter: plug your electricity meter into a wall socket that connects directly to the municipal grid, not one wired through your inverter. The meter won't function on inverter-backed sockets. A kitchen socket you'd also use for the kettle is usually a good, permanent spot for the keypad.
Reloading a meter that's run out completely takes more effort than a routine top-up, so it's worth topping up before your units run out rather than after. See the section below if you do run out and the power goes off.
It may have entered sleep mode to save power. Press any button on the keypad to wake the screen. Contact your municipality if the display stays blank after a few attempts.
Most meters beep when your remaining credit is low. It's a reminder to top up before you run out.
Double-check that you've entered every digit correctly, that you're using the right token for your meter, and that the meter number matches the one used at purchase. Contact your municipality if it still doesn't work, since they're responsible for maintaining prepaid meters.
Your keypad's Customer Interface Unit (CIU) needs to be plugged into a grid-connected outlet to recharge. It communicates with the electrical cables to link your token to your meter, which is why recharging fails on solar-only connections.
Your prepaid electricity meter remains the property of your local municipality. If you experience technical faults, display errors, or equipment failures, your municipality needs to send a qualified technician to inspect, repair, or replace it.
Never attempt to tamper with a prepaid electricity meter. Tampering is illegal and dangerous: it can result in electric shock, meter damage, inaccurate readings, interrupted supply, and significant fines.
Have an urgent electrical problem at your new Cosmo property? See our Cosmopolitan Home Repair and Emergencies guide. For general prevention, see our Electrical Safety Tips guide.
A prepaid electricity meter lets you buy electricity before you use it. As you consume power, your available units decrease until you buy and load another token.
Through your banking app, online banking, participating retailers, or approved municipal vendors. The options available depend on your municipality.
Enter your token into the meter's keypad after purchase and press Enter to load your units.
Modern meters that offer improved communication, more reliable readings, and enhanced functionality compared to older models.
No. Prepaid electricity meters must be installed and managed by authorised providers or your municipality.
Your local municipality is responsible for repairing or replacing prepaid electricity meters when technical faults occur.
Yes, in most cases. Once power is restored after an outage, insert batteries into your keypad and plug the CIU into a mains-powered wall socket to recharge. If that isn't possible, a nearby neighbour's socket can be used as a temporary workaround.
Because you only pay for what you need, it helps you monitor spending, avoid unexpected bills, and manage your monthly household budget with more confidence.
Owning a home isn't just about having a place to live. It's about building a secure future for yourself and your family. At Cosmopolitan Projects, we're committed to making homeownership more accessible through quality, affordable homes designed for South African families.
Features like prepaid utilities give homeowners greater control over their monthly expenses, making it easier to budget, plan ahead, and enjoy the benefits of owning your own home, whether you live in one of our houses, apartments, or rental properties.