Did you know that your geyser system is responsible for around 40% of your electricity usage at home? This is why a lot of homeowners in South Africa have switched to solar geysers. And if you haven’t really heard about them yet, or are interested in having one installed in your home, here’s everything you need to know about solar geysers.
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How It Works
See your geyser at home? It basically heats up the water you need so that it’s nice and warm (or hot, however you want it) the moment it comes out of your tap. Of course, all this is powered by electricity, pulling up your costs significantly.
As for solar geysers, it’s the same process – but through the use of the sun. Instead of using electricity to heat up your water for you, the system uses the powerful rays of the sun to heat up the water inside your pipes so that it’s the perfect temperature that you prefer. Everybody knows how abundant sunshine is in South Africa, so this actually makes it a very practical choice.
The Benefits of a Solar Geyser
Why are people starting to switch to solar geysers?
As mentioned earlier, electrical geysers account for 40% of every household’s energy consumption. This means that the moment you switch to solar, you also eradicate that 40%. It’s basically free hot water, delivered straight to your tap by mother nature.
Using solar energy to get hot water also means leaving little to no carbon footprint. That’s the best thing about solar geysers. It basically lets you help the environment while enjoying a few pleasures of your own.
Types of Solar Geyser Systems
There are different types of solar geyser systems, each with their own pros and cons.
Direct Solar Geyser
Using this system, you’ll have evacuated tubes that will transfer the heated water from the panels to the geyser itself. Basically, the water is heated when it passes into the panels. The panels should be strategically placed, preferably facing the north.
Indirect Solar Geyser
This system is perfect if you live in an area where water quality is less than satisfactory. Here, the water stays inside the inner tank. Anti-freeze will flow from the panel and into the outer tank, heating up the water within. Just like the direct system, the panels should be placed on a north-facing roof.
Split Solar Geyser
The geyser is placed inside the roof, while the solar panels stay on the roof. It is impossible to install on flat roofs, but if you have the roof space and can give access, it is also an effective geyser system.
Close Coupled Solar Geyser
Both the solar panel and the geyser are installed on the roof. Because the geyser is placed higher than the panels, there is also no need to install a pump.
Consult with a professional to find out what kind of solar geyser would fit your home. A solar geyser system may seem to cost more in terms of the initial installation. However, its long-term savings can cut a huge amount out of your expenses and help you divert more budget into more important things.
