Will switching off geysers prevent loadshedding?

[gbyleveldt]

Sure - but if you are letting the geyser get cold I'd probably force it up (and make sure it maintains that temp)

I hear you, but the geyser gets over 55C twice a day. It takes a lot longer than that for any disease to incubate. It's a balance between efficiency and possible risk, hence most experts suggest the 55C number. But to each his own

 

[gbyleveldt]

because to boil water from room temperature takes more energy than to maintain its current temperature. It's moot though, because unless you have a geyser from the 50's, a normal modern geyser does a great job at insulation, which is why these blankets for them is a scam (go and put your hand against your geyser in the roof, it's cold = really well insulated).
Again, it's HOW you make that heat that counts the most.

You quite right. I just had the geyser replaced a few weeks ago. The 10yo geyser had a blanket, we didn't bother fitting it for the replacement as the 'blanket' is already part of the geyser (it's around 40mm thicker than the older geyser) and it pretty much tells you on the geyser not to bother with a blanket because of it's a+ rating.

 

[wingnut771]

because to boil water from room temperature takes more energy than to maintain its current temperature. It's moot though, because unless you have a geyser from the 50's, a normal modern geyser does a great job at insulation, which is why these blankets for them is a scam (go and put your hand against your geyser in the roof, it's cold = really well insulated).
Again, it's HOW you make that heat that counts the most.

Nobody is boiling water. What's the difference with heating a geyser to 60 that's been off all day so temp has dropped to 50 vs leaving it on at 60? You're heating 10 degrees vs maintaining temp over time.

Anyway, I'm leaving it on now as I'm more concerned about the lower temps causing bacterial growth.

 

[Benedict A55h0le]

In the summer I switch on the geyser 1 hour every 3 days, in the winter I switch it on an hour every day before shower. I think it wastes a lot more energy if it is left on, I can see a big difference in the bill.

The water contains chlorine and is replaced almost daily, bacterial growth is not a concern I think.

 

[wingnut771]

In the summer I switch on the geyser 1 hour every 3 days, in the winter I switch it on an hour every day before shower. I think it wastes a lot more energy if it is left on, I can see a big difference in the bill.

The water contains chlorine and is replaced almost daily, bacterial growth is not a concern I think.

I have noticed a swampy smell sometimes indicating it.

edit: what temp is it set to?

 

[Nerfherder]

Nobody is boiling water. What's the difference with heating a geyser to 60 that's been off all day so temp has dropped to 50 vs leaving it on at 60? You're heating 10 degrees vs maintaining temp over time.

Anyway, I'm leaving it on now as I'm more concerned about the lower temps causing bacterial growth.

Be more concerned about the seals failing.

 

[Nerfherder]

I hear you, but the geyser gets over 55C twice a day. It takes a lot longer than that for any disease to incubate. It's a balance between efficiency and possible risk, hence most experts suggest the 55C number. But to each his own

any ?

When you sterilize a babies bottle you need to take it to over 70deg.
Luckily there is no milk in your geyser but don't think you are killing "most"

The most efficient thing is too keep it on.

 

[chuckles_the_cnt]

I have noticed a swampy smell sometimes indicating it.

edit: what temp is it set to?

swampy smell, how old is the unit? you may have calcium (and other mineral) deposits built up over time. it's the same water as coming from your cold water taps, but it's a bit more stagnant albeit hot or tepid, depending on your temp settings.

also dont drink water from the hot water faucet, did you not learn that as a kid? gross.

 

[gbyleveldt]

any ?

When you sterilize a babies bottle you need to take it to over 70deg.
Luckily there is no milk in your geyser but don't think you are killing "most"

The most efficient thing is too keep it on.

Haha, I should've said any disease you're likely to find in your water supply. Obviously it's impossible to safeguard yourself against "any" - you need to draw the line somewhere. Again, I'm not here to change anyone's mind - it's your right, no check that, your responsibility to take whatever means you must to keep you and yours safe. I quoted scientifically backed data above, but there's exceptions to even that worst case

 

[wingnut771]

swampy smell, how old is the unit? you may have calcium (and other mineral) deposits built up over time. it's the same water as coming from your cold water taps, but it's a bit more stagnant albeit hot or tepid, depending on your temp settings.

also dont drink water from the hot water faucet, did you not learn that as a kid? gross.

While in the shower. I was away for 2 weeks with the geyser off so maybe it was that.

 

[chuckles_the_cnt]

While in the shower. I was away for 2 weeks with the geyser off so maybe it was that.

could've been yeah, if they stank stays after the water runs hot - then you'd need to relook the thing

 

[Polymathic]

The geyser is very well insulated and in the ceiling under a north facing tiled roof.

It also needs to angled facing Scorpio on the inlet end and Juipter on the the other end. Also your pipes need to run perpendicular to the meridian.

 

[Geoff.D]

I hear you, but the geyser gets over 55C twice a day. It takes a lot longer than that for any disease to incubate. It's a balance between efficiency and possible risk, hence most experts suggest the 55C number. But to each his own

The regulations say 65 degrees NOT 55 degrees. And you have to maintain that temperature for at least an hour every 24 hours. Well, some of the regulations. And no, the CDC is the last bunch I will trust on anything,.

 

[CB40]

If everybody does it could help.

Escum can get fcked,not switching off something I pay for.

 

[gbyleveldt]

The regulations say 65 degrees NOT 55 degrees. And you have to maintain that temperature for at least an hour every 24 hours. Well, some of the regulations. And no, the CDC is the last bunch I will trust on anything,.

Any other regulatory links I can follow that’ll help me understand better?

 

[TedLasso]

I have had power meters on my geysers for three years. I tried every thing.

Here's the lesson :-
Turning it one for 2-3 hours ( better if it's just before you need it) and then off saves a **** load of electricity.

Our current timer pattern
3-5pm :- super hot for kids bath. In summer , the water is still hot the next morning.

In winter :- 40 mins 5-5:40am to boost it. Sometimes I don't do it to see what the wife says, she doesn't complain, but anyway it's boosted.

This uses about 5-6kwh a day. Leaving it on whole day (even when we not there using it) - 9-12kwh . They geyser is A+, I still have a blanket on it and all pipes insulated too.

If my heat pump was working properly, it only used about 4-5kwh a day to keep the water hot. It was configured to turn on at peak of day and run until night.

My geysers and heat pump managed by home automation rules, so they do it all automatically and also never turn on when house is in vacation mode

I really need to get someone to check my heat pump again. Ironically it got fscked up in its behaviour a few weeks after a qualified ITS plumber serviced it.

 

[xumwun]

Escum can get fcked,not switching off something I pay for.

Well they'll switch it off for you then.

 

[thehuman]

I have had power meters on my geysers for three years. I tried every thing.

Here's the lesson :-
Turning it one for 2-3 hours ( better if it's just before you need it) and then off saves a **** load of electricity.

Our current timer pattern
3-5pm :- super hot for kids bath. In summer , the water is still hot the next morning.

In winter :- 40 mins 5-5:40am to boost it. Sometimes I don't do it to see what the wife says, she doesn't complain, but anyway it's boosted.

This uses about 5-6kwh a day. Leaving it on whole day (even when we not there using it) - 9-12kwh . They geyser is A+, I still have a blanket on it and all pipes insulated too.

If my heat pump was working properly, it only used about 4-5kwh a day to keep the water hot. It was configured to turn on at peak of day and run until night.

My geysers and heat pump managed by home automation rules, so they do it all automatically and also never turn on when house is in vacation mode

I really need to get someone to check my heat pump again. Ironically it got fscked up in its behaviour a few weeks after a qualified ITS plumber serviced it.

Only question is do water in geyser get hot enough to prevent legionairs

 

[CB40]

Well they'll switch it off for you then.

No they can't..I don't have a RR

 

[wingnut771]

Hmmm, that I'm not sure about. I suppose it could make sense as an empty freezer needs to maintain cold air without any mass, where a full freezer has solid frozen mass inside. I never tested it myself so I'm just speculating.

Okay I've done the tests.

Results are it makes fokkal difference between a full and empty fridge. Same kWh per day. Only thing that made any difference was thermostat setting.