Comparing Your Options: Solar Geysers Vs Gas Geysers In South Africa 

Many South Africans today are turning to gas or solar geysers as alternatives to electric ones due to the unreliable electricity supply and a growing interest in sustainability. Choosing between gas and solar can be tough and is often influenced by personal preference and budget. This article will help you make an informed decision by comparing the advantages, disadvantages and the estimated costs of both options. You will also explore key points to consider before making that ultimate choice. 

Gas geysers

Gas geysers are designed to heat water overtime as they don’t have the capacity to store water like traditional electric geysers do. They are an energy-efficient and reliable source of hot water in most households. Discover the benefits of gas geysers:  

• Gas geysers are the best choice for instant and continuous hot water supply, making them an ideal choice for households with a high hot water usage, such as large families or a busy household.
• More affordable than solar geysers. 
• Non-reliant on the sun, offering unlimited supply of hot water and convenience. 
• Less space is required for the water system to operate.

Estimated costs of gas geysers:

The cost of buying a gas geyser today starts from R2 000 and can go up to R15 000. Gas geyser prices are mostly influenced by a specific brand, design, size and other additional features. The type of gas geysers you can get is Constant Temperature Gas Geysers, Standard or Manual Gas Geysers, and Forced Fan Gas Geysers.  

Choosing the right size:

• If you have a large household, it’s always best to get a gas geyser that has a big capacity starting from 20L and up to sustain your needs. 
• For a small family that only uses one tap or shower at a time, you should get a gas geyser with a 16L capacity at least. 
• Depending on your water heating needs like if you need the geyser for washing the dishes, then a smaller gas geyser with an 8L capacity will be fine. 

How gas geysers work:

Gas geysers typically heat water as it passes through the unit. Once the gas flows into the burner, it will trigger the ignition as soon as the geyser detects water flow. As soon as cold water flows into the heat exchanger it will then be heated instantly. This means that the geyser will switch on as soon as you open the hot water. Ultimately, this means you will only use gas when using hot water. Once you close the tap, the geyser will detect that there is no more flow and the gas will be deactivated automatically. 

Solar geysers

Solar geysers function by harnessing the power of the sun to heat water. The system comprises a water storage tank to directly circulate water through solar collectors, where it’s heated by the sun’s rays before being distributed for use. Explore the benefits of solar geysers: 

• Solar geysers are an environmentally friendly option as they rely on the sun to heat water. 
• More cost-effective option in the long run as solar geysers don’t require gas or electricity to operate. 
• Low maintenance costs, no regular maintenance or cleaning is needed. 
• Non-reliant on electricity to supply hot water, this is a great investment for households that have no access to electricity.
• The geyser system can provide between 50% to 90% of your hot water needs in the household.

Estimated costs of solar geysers:

For a fully kitted solar geyser package in South Africa, you can expect to pay from around R15 000 to R45 000 upfront. It’s also worth noting that the costs may vary based on the brand, size and the capacity of the solar geysers.  

How solar geysers work:

A solar geyser system has two functional variations, the first heats water directly and the second uses a heating fluid which mixes water and glycol. During the water heating process the following takes place: the solar collectors absorb the sun’s heat warming a fluid inside them. This heated fluid then passes through a heat exchanger in the storage tank. The heat is then transferred from the fluid to the water stored in the tank. After releasing its heat, the fluid cools and returns to the solar collectors to be reheated and the process starts again. 

Making the ultimate choice

Choosing between solar and gas geysers can be difficult because each option comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The first step in deciding which option is suitable for you is to analyse the amount of hot water you need in the household and the space required for the water system to operate, plus the budget for each. If you still can’t decide between the two, it’s possible to combine both options to enjoy the savings of solar and the convenience of gas. Fortunately today, there is a way in which these two solutions can work together to give you the best of both worlds. Thanks to the introduction of newer gas geysers which aren’t as expensive as fan forced gas geysers, they have the benefit of being solar compatible.

Making that choice to get off the grid is fast transitioning in many households today as alternative water heating solutions are becoming a necessity. Ideally, gas geysers are the best choice if you want a consistent hot water supply while solar geysers are ideal if you are environmentally conscious. Making an informed decision is crucial to ensure that you have a reliable and cost-effective solution for your water heating needs. Visit Gas and Solar to explore affordable gas geyser options.