Traditional electric geyser accounts for 30-40% of a typical household’s electricity bill
With electricity tariffs continuing to squeeze household budgets, One Energy is urging homeowners to start their energy-saving journey where it delivers the fastest impact: water heating, which can account for 30-40% of a typical household’s electricity bill.
“Many households focus first on big-ticket power solutions, but the most practical first win is often right in the ceiling,” says Christo Kok, Technical Director of One Energy. “A conventional electric geyser is one of the highest energy consumers in most homes. By switching to an efficient water-heating solution, families can meaningfully reduce their grid reliance and protect themselves against rising tariffs.”
The hidden cost of a conventional geyser
A standard 200-litre electric geyser typically uses a 4kW element and may run several hours per day, depending on hot-water usage. This can translate into substantial monthly consumption and costs – particularly when multiple geysers are installed in one household.
Consider a typical 200-litre electric geyser:
- 4kW element (that’s 4kW for every hour it runs)
- A geyser often runs 4 – 6 hours per day (and more with high hot-water use)
- That’s around 16–20kWh per day = ±600kWh per month on your geyser alone
- At an electricity tariff of R3,80/kWh, that’s roughly R2 200 per month just to keep your water hot
- If you have more than one geyser, multiply that number.
You can slash your water-heating costs by up to 75% with a solar geyser solution or a heat pump.
- Save ±450kWh per month (75% of 600kWh)
- That’s about R1 700 per month back in your pocket – every month
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that geysers are a fixed cost,” adds Kok. “They’re not. Efficient water-heating technologies are proven, widely adopted, and deliver real savings month after month.”
Two proven technologies: solar water heating and heat pumps
One Energy says homeowners generally have two high-efficiency options, depending on roof conditions, hot-water demand, and installation considerations:
Solar water heating:
Various models are available – some have either evacuated solar tubes or flat plate collectors which are retro-fitted to an existing electric geyser, while newer technology comprises dedicated solar PV panels and a controller that directly power the geyser’s element, retrofitting to an existing electric geyser and requiring no plumbing.
Units comprising of a tank and solar collector are used where there is no existing geyser, or where there is a need to increase hot water capacity, connecting to an existing electric geyser as a pre-feed system. Savings of up to 70-75% on water heating are achievable, with monitoring and timer options available for added control.
Heat pumps:
Heat pumps extract heat from the surrounding air (similar to an air conditioner working in reverse) and transfer it to water via a heat exchanger. They are well suited to homes with higher hot-water demand, roofs with significant shade, and coastal regions. Heat pumps typically use about 25% of the electricity required by a conventional electric geyser and can deliver strong payback periods.
Making homes “PV-ready”
Efficient water heating also supports the transition to rooftop solar PV, says Kok, because lowering baseline demand reduces the size – and cost – of the PV and battery system required later.
“If you reduce one of the biggest loads first, you make your whole home more energy efficient,” says Kok. “That’s the smarter route to becoming PV-ready and getting closer to grid independence over time.”
Choose compliant, professionally installed systems
One Energy cautions that water-heating upgrades must be installed correctly and in line with relevant safety and compliance standards.
“Energy solutions only deliver value when they’re properly engineered, safely installed, and supported with credible warranties and after-sales service,” Kok adds. “Homeowners should insist on compliant installations and trusted providers.”
For more information go to www.oneenergy.co.za
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