Geyser replacement in a flat roof

Mike Hoxbig said:
It would lose a bit to the elements being outdoors, you'll just have to heat it a bit longer and/or more frequently. The evac geyser you posted would be outdoors anyway would it not?
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Very little loss. I have a constant drain of around 30w-35w on my non-essentials. When the geyser is actually used, yes but once its heated up, a proper geyser, sealed correctly has minimal to no loss.

Of course this is Durban, we get cold here :p
 
newby_investor said:
Are you being facetious or does such a thing exist? I've never heard of a copper geyser.

The geyser is an off-white colour, definitely not copper. It's not ancient but not too new either. Old enough to have rusted (almost) through on the bottom. That being said, rust suggests it's definitely not copper.

I'm currently 90% headed towards the solar geyser option, I just need to make sure that there will still be enough space on my roof for the panels which are going to come later.
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Copper is VERY old.
 
newby_investor said:
Are you being facetious or does such a thing exist? I've never heard of a copper geyser.

The geyser is an off-white colour, definitely not copper. It's not ancient but not too new either. Old enough to have rusted (almost) through on the bottom. That being said, rust suggests it's definitely not copper.

I'm currently 90% headed towards the solar geyser option, I just need to make sure that there will still be enough space on my roof for the panels which are going to come later.
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It was a mild joke. My parents-in-law had one and it lasted 40 years, the plumber happily took it away at no extra cost - I think they were robbed though.

Its highly unlikely you would have one - but always good to check. They stopped using copper a long time ago.
 
Kosmik said:
Very little loss. I have a constant drain of around 30w-35w on my non-essentials. When the geyser is actually used, yes but once its heated up, a proper geyser, sealed correctly has minimal to no loss.

Of course this is Durban, we get cold here :p
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I've never seen a geyser that has a constant drain like that. Mine is either 4kW or zero.

Edit: Durban? Hah. You guys don't know what cold is.
 
Nerfherder said:
It was a mild joke. My parents-in-law had one and it lasted 40 years, the plumber happily took it away at no extra cost - I think they were robbed though.

Its highly unlikely you would have one - but always good to check. They stopped using copper a long time ago.
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Yeah, the house was built in the early 90s so it's not likely, based on what you describe.
 
newby_investor said:
Are you being facetious or does such a thing exist? I've never heard of a copper geyser.

The geyser is an off-white colour, definitely not copper. It's not ancient but not too new either. Old enough to have rusted (almost) through on the bottom. That being said, rust suggests it's definitely not copper.

I'm currently 90% headed towards the solar geyser option, I just need to make sure that there will still be enough space on my roof for the panels which are going to come later.
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If you're planning on installing solar PV then you're going to be regret if you put up a solar geyser. Rather put a normal geyser and put the extra funds towards more panels / bigger inverter. That's far better use of the money.
 
Speedster said:
If you're planning on installing solar PV then you're going to be regret if you put up a solar geyser. Rather put a normal geyser and put the extra funds towards more panels / bigger inverter. That's far better use of the money.
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I don't disagree with you in the general case and that was going to be my plan had my geyser not started leaking. But if I don't want to open up my roof or rip out my ceiling, then I might be somewhat out of options.

Mounting the geyser on the roof is an interesting one that I'll still look into but I'll have to weigh up the costs of both options.
 
Speedster said:
If you're planning on installing solar PV then you're going to be regret if you put up a solar geyser. Rather put a normal geyser and put the extra funds towards more panels / bigger inverter. That's far better use of the money.
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Usually I would agree... in this case its slightly different as its a new external geyser. If you are going to have it on the outside you might as well have a solar geyser.

There is also the option of getting a geyser that can connect directly to panels - mine can.
 
Nerfherder said:
Usually I would agree... in this case its slightly different as its a new external geyser. If you are going to have it on the outside you might as well have a solar geyser.
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Precisely.
Nerfherder said:
There is also the option of getting a geyser that can connect directly to panels - mine can.
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Is that like these geyserwise kits with a DC element? Or something else specific?

www.sustainable.co.za

Geyserwise Offgrid PV Solar Water Heating Kit

The off-grid system is 900W and includes the following components: Up to 1000W of PV panels (usually 3 x Renewsys 275W Poly Solar Panel or Renewsys 340W Poly Solar Panel. Please choose option above). 1 x 900W DC element. 1 x Geyserwise ECO MPPT. 1 x Element connector cable to connect element to...
www.sustainable.co.za www.sustainable.co.za
 
newby_investor said:
I don't disagree with you in the general case and that was going to be my plan had my geyser not started leaking. But if I don't want to open up my roof or rip out my ceiling, then I might be somewhat out of options.

Mounting the geyser on the roof is an interesting one that I'll still look into but I'll have to weigh up the costs of both options.
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If you were going to get a solar geyser, where would you put the panels for it?

So just put a normal geyser where the solar geyser would have went, and save the space for your actual PV panels when you do get it, is the point he's making...
 
newby_investor said:
Precisely.

Is that like these geyserwise kits with a DC element? Or something else specific?

www.sustainable.co.za

Geyserwise Offgrid PV Solar Water Heating Kit

The off-grid system is 900W and includes the following components: Up to 1000W of PV panels (usually 3 x Renewsys 275W Poly Solar Panel or Renewsys 340W Poly Solar Panel. Please choose option above). 1 x 900W DC element. 1 x Geyserwise ECO MPPT. 1 x Element connector cable to connect element to...
www.sustainable.co.za www.sustainable.co.za
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yes, you get a kit for it. I just haven't done that yet. Looking at the price I'm getting tempted !
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
If you were going to get a solar geyser, where would you put the panels for it?

So just put a normal geyser where the solar geyser would have went, and save the space for your actual PV panels when you do get it, is the point he's making...
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The space, and the funds. A new 150l solar geyser is probably in the region of R20k.
 
Anyone know a reputable solar geyser installer in Cape Town (southern suburbs specifically) that I could ask for a quote?
 
Just mount it outside. I have 2 x 200L geysers right above my bed in the ceiling. Fsck knows why.
Fsckall space to work there. If they go they can rust in peace where they are and I will install new ones outside.
 
W@P said:
Just mount it outside. I have 2 x 200L geysers right above my bed in the ceiling. Fsck knows why.
Fsckall space to work there. If they go they can rust in peace where they are and I will install new ones outside.
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Hope you're not in bed when they finally decide to burst.
 
So I used to have a flat roof, but luckily my geyser was housed in the roof cavity of a short passage between my garage and kitchen. When it had to be replaced, the plumber was full of excuses, simply because it was a tight fit, not because it was not possible. Eventually it was replaced in the same space.

However, having said that, many neighbours had their geysers on the outside, seems to be the quickest solution. I am not a fan of it, for 2 reasons: Aesthetics and Heat-Loss. But if thats your only option, then so be it.

It does make maintenance easier, and leaks are less catastrophic.

Is it not possible to re-route the plumbing to a garage or outside room? If you have either of those and they are close enough.

Seems one way or another you will have to take out the ceiling/roof to resolve this.

Good luck!
 
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