Skip to content 
Introduction
Installing a solar geyser has gained popularity over recent years, especially in South Africa, where we are continuously hit with load shedding. These geysers are a great way to heat water for cooking, bathing, and laundry. They’re also a good option for heating hot tubs, pools, and spas. In this article, we discuss the various factors you need to consider before making a purchase.
How do they work?
Solar Geysers work by collecting free solar energy from the sun, and it does this by using collectors. This is a process that utilises the way water rises when it is warm. Placing the panels on top of the roof makes this the most efficient.
As water circulates through the flat panel on your roof, it rises into the tank where it gets stored until used. While this is happening, the cooler tank water moves down and back into the panels. This creates a natural and continuous circulation of heating the water.
What types can you get?
There are two main types of solar geyser you can buy depending on your budget and needs. Passive geysers will work with no electricity and use mirrors to reflect sunlight onto the tubes that are filled with water. And Active systems will require a battery to provide backup. These systems need to use a pump to circulate the water through the tubes.
Considerations before buying one
You need to plan where you want to put the geyser. The key components of the system will be your solar panels or collectors, pumps, controllers, connecting pipes and insulated storage tanks. Decide on a suitable spot on your roof that gets at least 10 hours of direct sun during the day.
Then you need to consider whether you will want to use your geyser just during the winter months or all year round. Depending on your family, you must choose what size will be most suitable for you.
Solar Geyser Costs
The upfront costs of the installation can be high because a solar water heater is more complex than your traditional electric geyser. Remember, when you install your solar geyser, you will need to remove or even change your old geyser. There will be pipes needed to connect the panels to the solar geyser.
So, although the installation makes solar heating an expensive option, it will offset this cost over the life of the geyser. The geyser will require regular maintenance because of exposure to the elements, however, this happens less than you would think. Budget for every 3 to 4 years, unless you have hard water, in which case every 2nd year.
Replacement and Maintenance
Maintaining your system is necessary to keep it efficient. Elements and parts deteriorate, and various issues can and will develop. Electronic components can break down, so you will need to monitor the performance you are getting out of the system.
Some problems that you can expect will be your metal parts corroding, especially if you are coastal. There will also be a build-up of sediment, leaking fluids, freezing, an insufficient supply of hot water and general wear and tear. Panels will need to be cleaned regularly, and you will want to install insulation around them to keep them from freezing during winter.
Apart from the above, your batteries will degrade. They are not designed to work at full capacity for long. Depending on the system you have chosen, a good quality battery should last 10 years or longer, but with constant charging and discharging it will lose its capacity over time to store the power you need. These batteries are not cheap, so it is a cost that you will need to keep in mind for the future.
Other costs
Solar Geyser Compliance Certificate
A certified installer has to fit your solar geyser, so choose the correct plumbing company, such as ourselves, to do the complete installation for you. The cost depends on a variety of factors, but as it is a regulation, you will need the certificate of compliance issued.
Insurance
Don’t forget to cost the price of covering your new solar installation against accidental damage. A surge-protection device should have been installed with your system, but that will not be enough to cover you from theft, fire or severe weather. It is worth looking at absorbing this extra monthly cost so that it does not leave you with a large repair or replacement bill.
Solar Geyser Service Plan
Some companies will offer you a service plan, usually with the installation. This is like a car service plan. This plan covers monitoring how your system is performing, and any repairs. It also goes towards the cleaning of the solar panels and any system inspections which need to be carried out.
Benefits of a Solar Geyser
In conclusion, it is worth knowing that thanks to the abundance of sunshine in South Africa all year round, installing a solar geyser can be one of the best long-term investments you can make for your home. You will save up to 90% on your water heating costs, while still providing you with a reliable source of hot water.
Lastly, you will sleep easy at night, knowing you have done your bit towards reducing the carbon footprint.
