As usual, when Eskom crumbles a bit more, and we get some consistent load-shedding, folks scramble for alternative solutions.
And then sellers of such items resort to price-gouging.
I have seen solar geysers mentioned as a MASSIVE (hehe) electricity saving device; on a number of threads. So, when talking to the chap I'm looking at for installing an inverter system, I asked what his thoughts were about a solar geyser as well.
As posted on the load-shedding solutions thread, he called them a big scam. So, in essence, this is what he said:
You are constantly using power to run a small pump that pushes water from geyser to panel. At night, the element has to work harder to maintain warm water. And because it's outside, it is exposed to the weather and element has to work harder to maintain warm water. In essence the element has a much harder life as it is constantly switching on and off.
And then in winter you are going to have cloudy days etc. So a normal geyser is just as electricity efficient overall as a solar geyser.
Except a solar geyser costs a lot more.
So, any thoughts from others here? Especially those who have installed solar geysers.
And then sellers of such items resort to price-gouging.
I have seen solar geysers mentioned as a MASSIVE (hehe) electricity saving device; on a number of threads. So, when talking to the chap I'm looking at for installing an inverter system, I asked what his thoughts were about a solar geyser as well.
As posted on the load-shedding solutions thread, he called them a big scam. So, in essence, this is what he said:
You are constantly using power to run a small pump that pushes water from geyser to panel. At night, the element has to work harder to maintain warm water. And because it's outside, it is exposed to the weather and element has to work harder to maintain warm water. In essence the element has a much harder life as it is constantly switching on and off.
And then in winter you are going to have cloudy days etc. So a normal geyser is just as electricity efficient overall as a solar geyser.
Except a solar geyser costs a lot more.
So, any thoughts from others here? Especially those who have installed solar geysers.