XTend Ceramic Elements

Snyper564

Snyper564

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Hey guys so the geyser is a non issue summer - I have evac tubes (on a geyserwise) they fine for the evening in winter but the morning its cooled down substantially overnight. With new solar system installed the 3kw element will work but this appears to be a better option anyone use them? I am aware heatpumps are an option but was considering just running this for 30min in the morning for the extra temp bump.

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xtendelements.co.za

XTEND Elements • Energy Efficient - Long Life - Ceramic Elements

XTEND Elements save money every time you heat water. SABS tested to SANS-514. Ideal for hard water. 3 year product warranty.
xtendelements.co.za xtendelements.co.za
 
Last edited:
Snyper564 said:
Hey guys so the geyser is a non issue summer - I have evac tubes (on a geyserwise) they fine for the evening in winter but the morning its cooled down substantially overnight. With new solar system installed the 3kw element will work but this appears to be a better option anyone use them? I am aware heatpumps are an option but was considering just running this for 30min in the morning for the extra temp bump.

View attachment 1196914

xtendelements.co.za

XTEND Elements • Energy Efficient - Long Life - Ceramic Elements

XTEND Elements save money every time you heat water. SABS tested to SANS-514. Ideal for hard water. 3 year product warranty.
xtendelements.co.za xtendelements.co.za
Click to expand...
How does it save energy?
 
Has anyone used these elements? The manufacturer makes some pretty bold effeciency claims which I'm drawn to, but sceptical about. I'd be very interested in some independent opinions.
 
Speedster said:
Has anyone used these elements? The manufacturer makes some pretty bold effeciency claims which I'm drawn to, but sceptical about. I'd be very interested in some independent opinions.
Click to expand...
Don't you have too much power?
 
Speedster said:
Has anyone used these elements? The manufacturer makes some pretty bold effeciency claims which I'm drawn to, but sceptical about. I'd be very interested in some independent opinions.
Click to expand...
You really can't be much more efficient than a heating element submerged in water. Even if it wasn't efficient the energy "losses" would be heat?!

So, this is just a smaller element than normal - i.e. lower power. It will use less units in an hour, but it will also heat your water less. So the same as switching off your geyser more... The ceramic-ness just means it won't corrode like a metal element (maybe fail in some other way... Cracking maybe?)...

There really is nothing to see here.

Edit: just read the full thing... Okay if you have very hard water, there may be something to this. If you have bad problems with lime-scale buildup in your geyser.
 
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richjdavies said:
You really can't be much more efficient than a heating element submerged in water. Even if it wasn't efficient the energy "losses" would be heat?!

So, this is just a smaller element than normal - i.e. lower power. It will use less units in an hour, but it will also heat your water less. So the same as switching off your geyser more... The ceramic-ness just means it won't corrode like a metal element (maybe fail in some other way... Cracking maybe?)...

There really is nothing to see here.

Edit: just read the full thing... Okay if you have very hard water, there may be something to this. If you have bad problems with lime-scale buildup in your geyser.
Click to expand...
That is what my science brain tells me too. Their published tests tell a different story though. They reckon they can heat the same amount of water to the same temp with a lot less power.

xtendelements.co.za

Heat Up Test

This test determines the percentage energy saved when using an XTEND PTC Ceramic element compared to a standard resistive spiral element..
xtendelements.co.za xtendelements.co.za

xtendelements.co.za

Energy Efficient

Heat water for less with XTEND elements. Fits most SA geysers and uses 25% less energy than a standard geyser element. Switch and save today
xtendelements.co.za xtendelements.co.za
 
wingnut771 said:
What about a second geyser?
Click to expand...
We've got a second geyser which, ideally, the kids should use in the evenings. Unfortunately the bathroom it's connected to only has a shower, while they currently prefer a bath.
 
Speedster said:
We've got a second geyser which, ideally, the kids should use in the evenings. Unfortunately the bathroom it's connected to only has a shower, while they currently prefer a bath.
Click to expand...
I mean, connect another geyser to the existing one doubling your hot water storage. So I guess you would need 2 extra geysers.
 
Speedster said:
That would double my electricity requirement, I'm looking to halve it.
Click to expand...
Your stored hot water will last longer allowing you to use solar later in the day when you have excess electricity. Only run one geyser in the line then.
 
richjdavies said:
You really can't be much more efficient than a heating element submerged in water. Even if it wasn't efficient the energy "losses" would be heat?!

So, this is just a smaller element than normal - i.e. lower power. It will use less units in an hour, but it will also heat your water less. So the same as switching off your geyser more... The ceramic-ness just means it won't corrode like a metal element (maybe fail in some other way... Cracking maybe?)...

There really is nothing to see here.

Edit: just read the full thing... Okay if you have very hard water, there may be something to this. If you have bad problems with lime-scale buildup in your geyser.
Click to expand...
I'm also looking at this, waiting for feedback from a plumbing buddy.

Through all the marketing blurb, I cannot with certainty distil whether they are referring to a 'saving' in instantaneous power draw vs total energy used to heat water, without fiddling with settings / making sacrifices.

BTW, also looking at the Kwikot Elon (different type of solution, yes), but it seems like a waste of solar panels if you are going / have solar electricity.
 
ab-user said:
I'm also looking at this, waiting for feedback from a plumbing buddy.

Through all the marketing blurb, I cannot with certainty distil whether they are referring to a 'saving' in instantaneous power draw vs total energy used to heat water, without fiddling with settings / making sacrifices.

BTW, also looking at the Kwikot Elon (different type of solution, yes), but it seems like a waste of solar panels if you are going / have solar electricity.
Click to expand...
Cost?
 
wingnut771 said:
Your stored hot water will last longer allowing you to use solar later in the day when you have excess electricity. Only run one geyser in the line then.
Click to expand...
I'd still need to find the energy to heat the extra water. And a second geyser is probably around another R6000 or so?
 
Speedster said:
I'd still need to find the energy to heat the extra water. And a second geyser is probably around another R6000 or so?
Click to expand...
You're still using the same amount of water. You're just storing hot water for the iffy times.
 
ab-user said:
I'm also looking at this, waiting for feedback from a plumbing buddy.

Through all the marketing blurb, I cannot with certainty distil whether they are referring to a 'saving' in instantaneous power draw vs total energy used to heat water, without fiddling with settings / making sacrifices.

BTW, also looking at the Kwikot Elon (different type of solution, yes), but it seems like a waste of solar panels if you are going / have solar electricity.
Click to expand...

They're definitely saying it uses less energy to heat the same amount of water to the same temperature.

CONCLUSIONS
31% more energy is required by a 3kW Standard Spiral element to achieve the same heating results as the Xtend 2kW PTC element.
34% more energy is required by a 2kW Standard Spiral element to achieve the same heating results as the Xtend 2kW PTC element.
It takes the same amount of time to heat the water when comparing a 3kW standard spiral element and an Xtend 2kW PTC element.
Click to expand...

Screenshot_20220807-095954_Chrome.jpgScreenshot_20220807-100034_Chrome.jpg
 
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