As we head into the cold winter months, household energy consumption will start to increase as people turn up the heat to stay warm. Keeping warm during winter usually means using more energy and means paying higher utility costs each month.
The most energy-hungry appliance in a home is the geyser, so start there if you’re looking to reduce your electricity bill. According to statistical data, geysers account for as much as 40% of the electricity bill on a monthly basis.
We have all heard conflicting facts about the practice of switching a geyser off when not in use, here are some commonly held myths about geysers and its cost saving capacity:
Myth: Switching off the geyser does not have a significant impact on the overall electricity demand from Eskom.
Fact: No so, if all geyers across the country are switched off at the same time every day, it may help to minimize load shedding
Myth: More electricity is used if a geyser is switched on and off, compared to it being left on permanently
Fact: ” A geyser will definitely not use more electricity if its switched on and off” says Kwikot’s Technical director, Herman Weber. According to Weber, a 150 litre geyser stores water at the thermostat set point (60ºC), the water temperature will only reduce by approximately 10ºC over 24 hours. This so-called “standing loss” is a quality standard set by the SABS.
Myth: Switching a geyser on and off damages the thermostat.
Fact: According to Weber do damage will occur if the geyser is switched on and off because the thermostat. by nature of its operation switches off and on all the time as it regulates the heat in the geyser.
Myth: Switching geysers on and off will cause cracks in the geyser
FACT: Not true says Harold Burgess of Franke Water heating systems, according to him the thermal range during normal operation is much greater than the slow cooling of a geyser when it is switched off.
Myth: if you use a geyser blanket, the geyser does not need to be switched off.
Fact: Geyser blankets and pipe insulation will significantly contribute to savings but switching it off when not in use will mean further savings according to Andrew Etzinger from Eskom.
Myth: A geyser covered by a geyser blanket can overheat, explode or catch fire.
Fact: Provided the correct materials are ch9oen for the blanket, there is no risk of fire or explosion. The banket simply reduces the heat loss to the atmosphere while thermostat still control the water temperature.
Myth: Using a timer on the geyser is a more efficient way to manage electricity demand
Fact: Not so says Harold Burgess whether you opt for a timer or switch on and off manually the impact is precisely the same.
Money saving tips
Not all measures for reducing electricity, such a switching off your geyser during peak times, will have a direct or significant personal cost benefit. That being said , there are a number of energy efficiency methods that help save on the water heating component of your electricity bill.
- Insulate your geyser and your pipes. A geyser blanket and pipe insulation reduce the cooling rate of a geyser when it is switched off, meaning that less electricity is required to reheat water. Tests have shown that geyser blankets save 20% kWh of electricity required to reheat the water in a geyser that has been off for 24 hours. A geyser blanket and pipe insulation will save an average household of four between R180 and R250 per month.
- Set your Geyser thermostat to 60ºC
- To optimise electricity efficiency,geyers should be fitted close to the point where hot water is being used
- When using small quantities of water, like rinsing your hands, use cold water.
- By taking a shower instead of a bath, you can save the 1 kWh required to heat an average bath.
- Install a energy and water saving shower head and you’ll further reduce your energy and water water consumption by up to 24%.
If you can afford it install a solar water heater. The achieved saving per month will cover the investment in 5 years ( with the Eskom subsidy).
A Geyser Blanket reduces the heat loss to 1.94 Kwh per 24 hours. Ensuring that your geyser’s temperature stays constant will also prolong the life of your thermostat.
Watch the Builder’s Video for blanket installation or DIY tips to install your own, if you have questions or need a geyser blanket or geyer timer installed and your pipes insulated before it get really cold.