Solar Geyser

[DaveM]

Has anyone ever tried using one of those Solar Geyser as I am thinking of maybe looking at getting one. I have no idea however how effective they are and how they work

 

[otherwise]

Has anyone ever tried using one of those Solar Geyser as I am thinking of maybe looking at getting one. I have no idea however how effective they are and how they work

Dave,
I had no idea what you were talking about so Googled "Solar Geyser" to find it's a modern equivalent to a system that I had on the roof 3 houses back. I can't talk about this brand but considering improvements being made in technology it almost certainly will be a good thing. We live on about the same latitude south so probably will get about the same amount of sun. Mine heated enough hot water for a family of four in spring, summer and autumn. It battled a bit in winter but was backed up with electricity and we had it connected to the off peak supply, I could manually bypass off peak if it ran cold and hot water was required quickly. It all depends on your SA fuel costs but in Australia to retro fit one to a house they tend to have a 5 year payback time but when fitting to a new build it's a very short time. Hope this helps.

 

[Rocky]

Don't know what they are

 

[otherwise]

Don't know what they are

Put one on your igloo.

http://solar-geyser.com/faq.html

 

[Rocky]

Put one on your igloo.

http://solar-geyser.com/faq.html

 

[DaveM]

Thanks Kevin yes we are very similar as far as our weather condition go. Why I am looking at this is our electricity is about to go up 22% as of next month. We are already paying a high price for power this side with the last increase being not that long ago. So I am now looking at ways of subsidizing my electricity bills in some way or other.

 

[Silli]

Dave. If you do it right you will save in the long term.

 

[otherwise]

Dave,
We had a real win with out solar service in as much as it was already on a 5 year old house when we purchased it in 1990. It served us without any problems until we sold and moved on in 2002. We are very close with our old next door neighbors from then and visit them at least every month so naturally we take note of changes to out old home. The solar system is still doing the job and we understand it hasn't had any servicing, it's about 21 years now.
This was taken during a bad bushfire period, if you look close you can see the system on the roof.

 

[Gromit]

Dave, rather go with a geyser heat pump - about the same cost outlay, Eskom rebate of about R3800 so initially out of pocket around R10 000 BUT FAR more efficient than solar and Eskom is recommending heat pump over solar due to it's efficiency.

 

[Gromit]

Forgot to add - we've done our homework on this and spoken to independent energy advisors who do not sell either product - they all recommend heat pump.

 

[otherwise]

Heat pumps are new to me so don't have anything to say other than I just did a quick search and found this interesting.
"Heat pumps achieve at least 80% of the savings possible with a comparable solar water heating system, but at far lower installation cost."
According to that they are only 80% as good as solar, this is the link.
http://www.savingpower.co.za/?q=con,49,Heat Pump vs Solar Water Heating Study
As stated, it's all new to me, I'm not pushing any system but have reported my personal solar history.

 

[Gromit]

Solar is as good as the sunshine you get - 3 days of no sun = no hot water and back to the electricity. Heat pump - 3 days no sunshine = full geyser of hot water.

 

[DaveM]

Dave,
The solar system is still doing the job and we understand it hasn't had any servicing, it's about 21 years now.
This was taken during a bad bushfire period, if you look close you can see the system on the roof.
View attachment 1886

That sure is good going for something like that

Dave, rather go with a geyser heat pump - about the same cost outlay, Eskom rebate of about R3800 so initially out of pocket around R10 000 BUT FAR more efficient than solar and Eskom is recommending heat pump over solar due to it's efficiency.

I was looking at a heat pump for my pool at one time but it was a bit much for what I then wanted it for. Thanks I will have a look at one for our hot water and see what they have.

About a year back I was also looking at getting wind and solar power to subsidies the power and got a quote. The quote ended up being more than what I paid for the house when I purchased it

 

[CarlS]

I have had homes with each of these systems. The solar heater was more efficient; but as Kevin said, it did need to be backed up with a conventional water heater. The heat pump technology was new when we had one and it was effective. But it only lasted about four years. However, the technology is much improved since then. Solar heaters have been around in Florida for over 60 years and they are much better today than they were back in the 1950's. The installation costs are high if it is not new construction.

 

[DaveM]

I just found these videos that give some great info on the systems

Solar Water Heating

 

[avion]

My dad's got solar installed and it's a bit hit and miss. You're relying on the sun, and some mornings you just don't have enough hot water.
You do get a rebate back from Eskom, however it takes many years to get your money back.

...

 

[DaveM]

I have just been looking at the rebate system and it does not seem worth the effort really

 

[avion]

Yeah its a hassle.

But I meant that even after the rebate it'll take years to recoup your expenditure.

Oooooh that's a big word for this time of the day. :>

 

[DaveM]

The problem is with the new tariffs coming in next month we are going to find it harder and harder to keep up :y8:

 

[The Seeker]

Toughen-up and take cold showers!!

Problem solved.