Solar Geyser - Why not?

A

ahmedy

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Hi Guys
Please steer me in the right direction, I have a small household and considering a solar geyser because currently this is my only major power consumer. Is there any reason not to go with a solar geyser?

I do not as yet want to invest hundreds of thousands on solar panels, inverters and batteries when I may not live in my current house for over 20 years for the costs to pay off

Currently we switch the geyser on for about 2 hours a day and I am really wanting to have hot water for longer without the added cost

I have heard of heat pumps but would need some explanation on how that would benefit of that would also be drawing electricity to be used, I could be wrong and probably am and this my reason for asking this group
 
How long are you going to stay on in your house?

No use spending R20 000 on a solar geyser or R25 000 on a heatpump if your plan to leave in 5 years. The saving is going to be less than the money spend over the period
 
Yeah, I think being here more than 5 years is possible. In terms of solar or heat pump, would I be able to have hot water for a longer period and cost relative to the number of people in my family currently using the shower compare to current electric geyser which is on for only 2 hours and thus only available hot water for about 4 hours or so in winter?
 
I opted for a heat pump (ITS to say)and I am glad I did. Already started seeing the reduction in monthly consumption. Only uses about 0.9 kwh and it heats up my water is less then 60 min. You can set it by timer but I dont see a need for that.
 
Canggu said:
I opted for a heat pump (ITS to say)and I am glad I did. Already started seeing the reduction in monthly consumption. Only uses about 0.9 kwh and it heats up my water is less then 60 min. You can set it by timer but I dont see a need for that.
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Interesting, For that 0.9 kWh, how long is the water hot and how many people are able to have a comfortable shower? Is that 0.9 kWh the total usage for a hour ?
 
I will say this, they work decently well. BUT if you plan on ever going with a solar system DO NOT get a solar geyser.
 
ahmedy said:
...current electric geyser which is on for only 2 hours and thus only available hot water for about 4 hours or so in winter?
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That seems a bit high. Assuming a 3kW element and 2 hours full, that's 6kWh. That should be enough to heat about 120L fully and that should stay warm without usage for 24 hours or more... So for it to be cold after 4 hours either:
1. You're using all the hot water every day
2. There's a leak/overflow/broken pressure valve
3. Big standing losses -- is it outside? Is it wet? Is it very old? Maybe pipes run outside or aren't insulated?
 
Snyper564 said:
I will say this, they work decently well. BUT if you plan on ever going with a solar system DO NOT get a solar geyser.
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Can you explain a bit? I have a battery and inverter but nowhere really to put solar panels without a major headache, so rather than going full solar we decided to convert our two geysers to solar with a view to adding solar to charge the batteries some stage in the future. Paid last week, will be installed next week hopefully.
 
Spizz said:
Can you explain a bit? I have a battery and inverter but nowhere really to put solar panels without a major headache, so rather than going full solar we decided to convert our two geysers to solar with a view to adding solar to charge the batteries some stage in the future. Paid last week, will be installed next week hopefully.
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Sure this is my setup.

I paid R30k to pop those solar geysers in a year before I went solar (happened sooner than expected)

That R30k cost more than my entire solar array and would benefit the whole house.

I specifically said if you going full solar DONT get the solar geyser. As you cant in your case the solar geyser is fine.

1660199149113.png
 
Snyper564 said:
Sure this is my setup.

I paid R30k to pop those solar geysers in a year before I went solar (happened sooner than expected)

That R30k cost more than my entire solar array and would benefit the whole house.

I specifically said if you going full solar DONT get the solar geyser. As you cant in your case the solar geyser is fine.

View attachment 1362793
Click to expand...

Ah, from the price perspective. Gotcha. I reckon I'm on the same path as you though, paid about 30k just now for the geysers to be converted as I have some big decisions on location of a solar array. Old house aesthetics, huge palm tree etc. At least with the geysers converted it gives me some time to make a plan (and save) for next year hopefully.
 
Spizz said:
Ah, from the price perspective. Gotcha. I reckon I'm on the same path as you though, paid about 30k just now for the geysers to be converted as I have some big decisions on location of a solar array. Old house aesthetics, huge palm tree etc. At least with the geysers converted it gives me some time to make a plan (and save) for next year hopefully.
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Those two dirt piles you see in the grass were my palm trees, cut them off. If you are even considering going solar. STOP the geyser installation now and put that money towards your array esp if you have the inverter and battery.

You will regret it. Like I did :(

It more than just pricing.

The geyser install is the price of an entire array that array powers my whole house. It simply makes no sense if you are even planning to go solar.
 
The Door said:
Get 3x 450w solar panels and a dual DC/AC element for your existing or any ordinary geyser.
Less plumbing to go wrong, geyser piping doesn't have to penetrate your roof, mount the geyser under cover and... Cheaper.

Solar geysers are expensive.
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Could you pls unpack a bit more. If i understand you correctly, your solar set up generates capacity to geyser without batteries because of replaced element and feeds whatever else it can during day. What about at night and can this work if geyser.on roof, not undercover?
 
Snyper564 said:
Those two dirt piles you see in the grass were my palm trees, cut them off. If you are even considering going solar. STOP the geyser installation now and put that money towards your array esp if you have the inverter and battery.

You will regret it. Like I did :(

It more than just pricing.

The geyser install is the price of an entire array that array powers my whole house. It simply makes no sense if you are even planning to go solar.
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I hear you. But even if I wanted to it's too late to stop, the galvanised frames are being made for the panels which will not go on the main roof. And the palm tree coming down is a huge no-no I'm afraid. It's massive and apart from my wife saying no chance, it's probably protected.
 
SureThing said:
Could you pls unpack a bit more. If i understand you correctly, your solar set up generates capacity to geyser without batteries because of replaced element and feeds whatever else it can during day. What about at night and can this work if geyser.on roof, not undercover?
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He is talking about this kit for the geyser. AC/DC Element for normal geyser, with panels and inverter to charge DC during the day, and AC (Normal) at night.

https://www.livestainable.co.za/pro...sion-kit-100l-including-panels-and-mountings/

1660201145780.png
 
Thanks for the info. Just to be clear, I want to go full solar. Then I should not be getting a solar geyser. I should rather buy more panels and use the solar system to heat my old geyser?
 
ahmedy said:
Hi Guys
Please steer me in the right direction, I have a small household and considering a solar geyser because currently this is my only major power consumer. Is there any reason not to go with a solar geyser?

I do not as yet want to invest hundreds of thousands on solar panels, inverters and batteries when I may not live in my current house for over 20 years for the costs to pay off

Currently we switch the geyser on for about 2 hours a day and I am really wanting to have hot water for longer without the added cost

I have heard of heat pumps but would need some explanation on how that would benefit of that would also be drawing electricity to be used, I could be wrong and probably am and this my reason for asking this group
Click to expand...
I asked a similar question in this thread:

Vacuum tube vs PV

So I can't see a thread that covers this but have seen this eluded to by some here and would like to know the argument for each. This is especially for my setup though so also interested in the different cases where one would be better than the other. My primary objective would be to save money...
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za

In terms of saving electricity and money, solar panels with an inverter are best. You use the solar panels to power your geyser and then when the geyser is hot the excess power supplements your normal power. You don't need batteries for this and they are the things that cost the most and will need to be replaced.
 
Nerfherder said:
In terms of saving electricity and money, solar panels with an inverter are best. You use the solar panels to power your geyser and then when the geyser is hot the excess power supplements your normal power. You don't need batteries for this and they are the things that cost the most and will need to be replaced.
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So I will rather buy more panels and feed my existing old geyser. This is interesting since the suppliers always state that you should 1st replace your old geyser with a solar geyser separate from the main solar system. But to me it makes sense that if there is space for panels rather just get more panels for the main system and let it feed the existing old geyser. I really like the idea of gas water heating as well, I want to buy a gas shower but I guess it is not necessary.
 
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