Solar water heaters

[Wart]

Ok, with all the load shedding and talk now of controlling when our geysers will be switched on I am looking at importing some quality solar water heaters. Before I jump head-long into this I need to canvas a bit of an idea of how people think this will be received.

Post you comments here about:-

1. Are you interested?
2. At what cost (300l capacility)?
3. General comments.

Thanks.

[Boer]

You can buy them from "Rentech" 208l @ R1148.00 & 158l @ R8771.00
Their phone no. is 011 437 4444
They sell solar panels, batteries, inverters etc.
I dont think they are cheap but their quality is good.
You can build a solar water heater with copper tubing normally used for
plumbing and all you need is a gas flame, solder, two gate valves if you dont already have them on your geyser in- and outlet. You then need to
build a wooden or aluminuim box and mount it on your roof. This way of
heating water is probably as old as the model-T Ford and it is still efficient to today's standards. I have an article out of an old magazine if anyone is interested.

[andrepieterse]

I'm getting one too. A 200liter at R9400 Vat incl and installed from an outfit in Somerset West.

Also getting a gas stove and a whistle kettle.

Hoping to cut my power bill by 40%. In my household that means R400 pm.

[Bennie Vorster]

Wart, do your home work well coz Gov and Escom will be subsidising only some SABS units soon and you have to look at what will be needed to get approved to install for these systems. I'm also looking at it on the moment, but seems that you will need to have some qualified plumbers and electricians on your pay roll. Recomendid retail price will range between R12 000 and R20 000

[lamercyfly]

Hey guys, beware of going the domestic gas route.

Annie and I went through about 6 19kg units per month at La Mercy, and I know from experience that we are not heading for a gas shortage in S.A., but that we are already there.

In 2006, toward the end of the year, I was sourcing canisters from Richards Bay, and even looking to Johannesburg. There was NOTHING in Durban. They were importing to try and meet the backlog.

Annie and I still have our gas fridge, stove and chest deep-freeze which we kept, and now have started using again. I went to buy a cannister of gas last week, and struck up a long conversation with my old supplier, and he told me that the shait is about the hit the fan again, especially not that everyone is thinking about 'going gas'. He told me that he still battles with every purchase consignment he makes, and very seldom gets what he orders.

So, soon everyone is going to have gas units, but there is not going to be any gas

Best is solar guys. solar water, solar oven, solar electricity, hey, you can even catch a lekka sola tan while you are about it

Regards

[Boet]

I have designed a cheap solar water heater, that works like a charm. But I do not have the ching to develop. Anyone interested?