ABOUT SOLAR GEYSERS
Solar geysers absorb light from the sun by means of solar panels to generate heat. A solar controller pumps hot water from the manifold on the roof into the geyser inside the roof when the temperature of the manifold is 7 degrees higher than the water temperature in the geyser, the solar controller will stop pumping when the temperature difference between the manifold and the geyser drops below 3 degrees and the process will then start again.
BENEFITS OF SOLAR GEYSERS
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A solar geyser can save up to 90% of your water heating costs.
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A solar geyser uses solar energy thus reducing your electricity bill
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Less reliance on Eskom for hot water
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Better for the environment
TYPES OF SOLAR GEYSERS
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Thermosyphon system with tubes
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Thermosyphon system with flat plate
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Retrofit or Split solar geyser
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Solar geyser with gas backup
TYPES OF WATER HEATING
THERMOSYPHON
Thermosyphon is a method of passive heat exchange, based on natural convection which circulates a fluid without the necessity of a mechanical pump. This naturally happens when a Solar geyser is above the flat plate or tubes.
HOW A THERMOSYPHON SYSTEM WITH TUBES WORKS
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The system relies on the natural process of thermosyphon where heat rises from the tubes below into the geyser above, heating the water in the geyser.
BENEFITS
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Less maintenance as there is no mechanical pump
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Tubes are about 20 - 25 % more effective that flat plates
DISADVANTAGES
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Can overheat if hot water is not used over and extended period of time
HOW A THERMOSYPHON SYSTEM WITH FLAT PLATE WORKS
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The system relies on the natural process of thermosyphon where heat rises from the flat plate below into the geyser above, heating the water in the geyser.
BENEFITS
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Less maintenance as there is no mechanical parts
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Flat plates are generally more hail resistant
DISADVANTAGES
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Can overheat if hot water is not used over an extended period of time
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Not as effective as tubes
RETROFIT OR SPLIT SOLAR GEYSER SYSTEM
HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS
A solar controller pumps hot water from the manifold on the roof into the geyser inside the roof. When the manifold temeprature rises to 7 degrees higher than the water temperature in the geyser. The solar controller stops pumping when the temperature difference between the manifold and geyser becomes less than 3 degrees and the heating process starts again.
BENEFITS OF SPLIT SOLAR GEYSER SYSTEMS
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You can convert your existing electric geyser into a solar geyser, drastically decreasing installation costs.
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Flat plates are generally more hail resistant
SOLAR GEYSER WITH GAS BACKUP
All solar geysers should have some form of a back up heating system for rainy days.
BACK UP HEATING OPTIONS
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An electric element utilizes electricity to heat your water when it is not hot enough.
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A gas back up system will only heat the water you have used and pump it back into the geyser for your use.