Why the geyser matters so much
A standard electric geyser is one of the largest energy users in a home. It runs for hours to keep a tank of water hot, often when nobody is using it. Because heating water is such a big share of the bill, cutting the geyser load is one of the fastest ways to reduce what you pay for electricity each month.
Cape Town's climate helps here: the city gets plenty of sunshine, so a solar geyser has good conditions to work with for most of the year.
How a solar geyser works
A solar geyser has a collector panel on the roof and an insulated tank. Water or a heat-transfer fluid circulates through the collector, picks up heat from the sun, and warms the water in the tank. On days when the sun is weak, an electric backup element tops up the temperature so you always have hot water. The system works alongside your existing plumbing and does not need you to change how you use hot water.
Solar geyser or heat pump
Both options cut the geyser load, and each has trade-offs. A solar geyser harvests heat directly from the sun and needs little electricity when the sun is out, but it depends on the weather and needs roof space. A heat pump uses a small amount of electricity to move heat into the water and works in any weather, but it is an electrically driven unit. We will look at your roof, your usage and your budget and recommend the one that fits, rather than pushing a single product.
Installation and plumbing
We assess your existing geyser, roof and plumbing before quoting. The collector is mounted to suit the roof, the tank is positioned for good flow and insulation, and the system is connected so the electric backup works correctly.
Who it is for
Households with high electricity bills and a suitable roof. Anyone already installing solar PV who wants to cut the geyser load so the panels go further. Landlords and complexes looking to reduce common-area or tenant costs.
What affects the price
The size of the tank, the type of collector, whether it replaces or supplements an existing geyser, and the plumbing and roof work needed.
Related pages
Read is solar worth it in Cape Town, or see our work in the Northern Suburbs and South Peninsula.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much can a solar geyser save?
Heating water is the single biggest electricity load in most homes, so a solar geyser can cut a large share of your bill. The exact saving depends on your usage, the size of the geyser and the weather.
Does a solar geyser work in winter?
Yes. A solar geyser with an electric backup element still heats water on cloudy or cold days, using less grid power than a conventional geyser alone.
What is the difference between a solar geyser and a heat pump?
A solar geyser uses the sun to heat water directly. A heat pump uses a small amount of electricity to move heat into the water. Both cut the geyser load; the right choice depends on your roof, budget and usage.