Installation

Regardless of where you stay, hot water demand in South Africa is increasingly outstripping the supply, this makes it very expensive. Many are turning to solar for their water heating requirements. In this post, we are going to explain the basics of solar geyser installation.

To say there are many variables and options when it comes to your Solar Geyser Installation would be a huge understatement. There are a number of different types of systems available on the market and every house and situation will be different.

Solar Geyser Installation Basics

Basically, the way a solar geyser works is to circulate water through a series of pipes which are heated by thermal energy from the sun. The water then enters a heat exchanger and re-circulates back through the system. The heat exchanger is basically a coiled pipe inside another chamber that transfers warmth to the cooler water which surrounds it.

Fittings which are attached to the chamber called the inlet and outlet allow it to be installed inline to your mains water from the municipality. This can then be used directly or it can flow into your existing electric geyser to reduce electricity consumption.

Most installations will come with a controller which regulates the system preventing the flow of cold water into your geyser during colder periods. This type of  system utilizes sensors which are near the collector (otherwise known as the panel) which are read by the main controller. More complex installations have features which help protect it from frost damage, another system might use a transfer fluid (normally water mixed with anti-freeze) to protect the delicate pipework.

Choosing The Right Location

When doing the installation it is important to make sure you choose the right location to gain optimal efficiency from your investment. You must make sure there are no obstructions which could shade the collector at certain times in the day. It is important to check your local conditions including the summer and winter solstices before the final decision is made. A qualified installer will know the ideal position for your location. To get 3 quotes from qualified installers near you, fill out the form below.

Solar Panel App: download this app to help find the perfect location

As we are in the southern hemisphere and the sun passes at the north, the ideal location to install a solar geyser in South Africa is on the north facing slope. It is important to check your local conditions including the summer and winter solstices before the final decision is made. A qualified installer will know the ideal position for your location. To get 3 quotes from qualified installers near you, fill out the form below.

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Choosing The Right Sized Tank

As a rule of thumb, each person in your average household will require 50l of capacity (more efficient shower heads only require 30l) but it is suggested that you have a little bit extra to accommodate for differences. It all depends on how conservative you are with hot water usage at peak times. Showers are more efficient than baths, and hand dishwashing is more efficient than a dishwasher. Washing machines use about 30l of hot water on their own. You can use the following chart as a guide: