>WATER HEATING SOLUTIONS
Water heating has become an expensive ordeal in South Africa. Our historically low electricity costs have meant that the market did not need to adapt. A common electric geyser was the only option available. With electricity prices rising exponentially, the South African consumer has searched for alternative water heating options. Products and technology that has been available in other parts of the world for decades have made their way to our shores. This is a positive step as competition improves quality and bring down prices. Solar water heating, which has been around for many years but not widely used has seen great growth and reduced pricing. The competition between products has been to the benifit of the consumer but it has also created some confusion. There are now many water heating options available. Below are some of the products available on the South African domestic market.
This is undoubtably the most common form of alternative water heating available. The abundunce of sunshine all year round means that free water heating is possible. There are days where cloud cover hinders the products ability to heat the water but most products available come with an element back-up. This enables the set-up to revert back to element heating thereby 'boosting' the hot water and ensuring little or no disruption to the hot water supply. However, the more the 'boost' is used, the less electricity saving will take place. The cheapest products available are those commonly seen on low-cost houses. These generally don't have element back-ups and rely purely on the sun for hot water production. There are many variations of solar water heating and each have their advantages and disadvantages.
TYPE OF SOLAR SYSTEMS
Low Pressure Solar
(passive)
PRO'S:
- Cheap Install
- Low Maintenance
CON'S:
- Low Pressure
- No Elec back-up
High Pressure Split Solar
(passive)
PRO'S:
- High Pressure
- No circulation pump
- Elec back-up
CON'S:
- Looks bulky
High Pressure Split Solar
(active)
PRO'S:
- High Pressure
- Retrofit-able
- Elec back-up
CON'S:
- No real con's
TYPE OF SOLAR COLLECTORS
Flat Panel Solar Collectors
PRO'S:
- Generally cheaper than Evac Tube
- Not prone to breakages
- No assembly required on site
CON'S:
- Less efficient than Evac Tube
- Part Failure means complete failure
Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors
PRO'S:
- More efficient that Flat Panel
- Part Failure can be replaced
- More versatile installation
CON'S:
- Breakages during install more likely
- More expensive than Flat Panel
The correct installation type and optimum hot water management will result in the best hot water production and cost savings. However, in the cases such as guest houses, hair salons, pet parlours and large families, hot water mamagement is difficult and the geyser back-up is relied on more. This leads to decreased savings. Other alternatives might offer greater savings and reliability. Solar water heating can also be used to pre-heat water before it enters the main storage tank. This ensures that the source of heat used to achieve reliable hot water doesn't have to work as much.
Heat Pumps in South Africa invariably refer to Air Source Heat Pumps. These use the heat in the air around the heat pump to achieve the required results. There are also Water Source Heat Pumps or Ground Source Heat Pumps. A heat pump works by drawing outside air through an air to gas heat exchanger. This heats the refrigerent gas to the same temperature as the surrounding air. The gas is then compressed and heated to over 60 degrees celcius. The gas's heat is tranferred to the water being circulated between the heat pump and the geyser. The heated water is stored in the geyser for use. The clear advantages of a heat pump over solar is that the heat pump does not rely on sunlight or hot days for it to work effectivley. It works well in the day, night, summer, winter, rain or shine. It will use more energy than a well managed solar system however, it's all year reliability means that a Heat Pump will save more energy for cases where optimum hot water management is not possible. Ideal uses include businesses that use high volumes of hot water such as kitchens, pet and hair salons, guest houses and hotels, boarding houses and hostels, and large family houses.
SPLIT HEAT PUMP
With the heat pump installed externally and the geyser commonly situated in the loft, this is the most common heat pump installation in South Africa.
PRO'S:
- Retrofit-able
- Back-up element incase of servicing or repairs
- Cheaper when retrofitting.
INTEGRATED HEAT PUMP
An intergated heat pump is one that incorporates the heat pump technology and parts with the storage cylinder in a single unit. These are popular with new-build homes where installation limitations can be considered. These units also work well where temporary or mobile hot water storage is required.
PRO'S:
- Cheaper for new-build purposes.
- One unit (less space consideration)
- Easily un-installed and re-installed.
A relative late arrival to the South African market, thermodynamic water heating has not enjoyed the same level of exposure as Solar and Heat Pumps. In reality, it is a combination of the two above mentioned water heating methods. It uses the same refrigeration principles as Heat Pumps but instead of a fan drawing air over the gas heat exchanger, it has a large flat panel that is installed similar to a solar installation. This panel, with the refrigerant gas inside, uses the ambient air temperature to change the gases state within the panel. This drives the gas to the compressor and inturn, the gas to water heat exchanger.
Thermodynamic Water Heating is a low energy solution where Solar or Heat Pump installations are impracticle or impossible. They are a more expensive solution to Heat Pumps but because they are more efficient, the return on investment makes them a viable option.
- Systems will provide 100% of your hot water needs
- They work day and night
- Systems can operate in temperatures as low as -15°C
- You get reliable hot water on tap all year round
- Panels can be mounted on your roof or onto a wall
- Panels do not have to face north or be mounted in direct sunlight
- Maintenance free
- Installations are simple and straightforward
- They operate silently
An Induction Geyser works by using electricity to create an electric field which then heats the water. This is a lot more efficient than normal element heating. Induction geysers normally come in small sizes (30 - 75 litre) so it becomes impractical for large hot water volume uses such as families or small businesses. It is ideal for small homes, caravans or temporary accomodation where solar or heat pump installations are not desirable or where budget constraints inhibit the installation of the above mentioned products. They require the same electricity demand as normal geysers but use that energy in a more effiecient way.
This method of water heating has been around for many years and in countries where there is a main gas grid, such technology is widely used. The South African market is largley limited to small instataneous water heaters or large industrial size water heaters. On the domestic side, these are fairly cost effective to install and cheaper to run than traditional geysers. They are limited to low flow rates and when the installation guidlines are not follwed they can be dangerous. They are the ideal solution where no electricity is provided and space or location does not suit a solar installation.
South Africans love the outdoors and heating the swimming pool prolongs the enjoyment of pool into the winter months. There are two methods of pool heating. Both systems generaly use the same pump and filter set-up. With solar heating it is advisable to increase the pool pump size in some cases.
SOLAR POOL HEATING
A fairly common sight on roof-tops, solar heating provides a cheap, effective method of heating the pool.
PRO'S:
- Cheaper than a Heat Pump installation
- Maintenance free, broken panels easily replaced
- Almost free to run
HEAT PUMP POOL HEATING
Using the same principle to that of domestic heat pumps, swimming pool heat pumps offer a reliable, all year round heating solution.
PRO'S:
- Effective all year round
- Retrofit to existing pump and pipe-work
- Compact, no need for large roof surface
The industry uses the figure of 40% of the household electricity bill is water heating costs. This is based on an average house but can vary a fair deal. At Transcape Plumbing, we attempt to get a more accurate cost of water heating based on each home or business hot water use. We fit energy monitors to the individual geysers and monitor the electricity for around 2 weeks. We then project the readings over a year and get an annual cost of water heating. Through this method, we are able to see the usage habits and costs and then acurately advise the client on the best type of alternative water heating options for their specific needs. We can also establish how fast the client will likely recoup the cost of the changes with the savings they make. We use Eskoms stated increases in the price models to achieve reliable results.
STEP 1: Monitor Electricity for about 2 weeks
STEP 2: Download Data to PC
STEP 3: Transfer Data to Projection Graph for Client
Which option is best?
Each water heating option has its pro's and con's so there is no solutions that suites all projects. The project specifics will determine which option is best for your project.
What areas do you cover?
We cover all areas. The cost to the client will depend on a number of factors and distance from our core area of Cape Town will be one of those factors. However, projects further from Cape Town are undertaken and often at lower prices than those quoted by local installers.
What are your rates?
Each job is priced seperatly. We do a site visit to discuss the options and compile a detailed quote based on the visit and discussions with the client. Quotes are free within reason
Are you insured?
We have full public liability and faulty workmanship cover for projects undertaken within South Africa's borders.