Solar Water Heating
Cape Town, South Africa Tel (021) 5108786 Skype: robinthomson
Everyone can and should use Solar water heaters : Jan 2008
Convert Existing Geyser to Solar High or low pressure geysers with pumped flow
You have a regular electric geyser and realise that you can use a combination of the sun and modern technology to heat your water, but have always thought that solar is too expensive or not suitable for you.
We recommend that in the first instance, you use your existing geyser and add a solar heating system to it. When your geyser next needs replacing, order a solar geyser with a 10 year guarantee.
Using a pumped system it is possible to convert your existing geyser. You will need two adapter valves, an air release valve, 2 isolation valves, one pump and one pump controller. The pump controller will also control your geyser element though an electrical relay. A 220V AC full conversion kit costs R3868 ex VAT
220V AC Pumped conversion
12V DC conversion kit video
What it involves :
Mounting a frame and vacuum tubes on your roof.
Adding 2 conversion pieces to the your existing geyser - inlet and outlet. These connect the heating panel to your geyser
Installing a low power circulating pump to move water from the hot panel to your geyser.
Cost of heating panel (Exc Installation) - Heating panels are sized by tube diameter (47mm or 58mm), length (1500 or 1800mm) and amount of tubes (12, 18 or 24). The manifold material is galvanized powder coated steel ( best value) , stainless steel or anodized aluminium ( most attractive). The panels are sized according to the amount of hot water usage per day and the part of South Africa where the installation will take place. This is guided by the annual sunshine received in that area.
Radiation example : Durban has 30% less sunshine energy than Johannesburg, so would need a larger panel.
Usage example 1 : A retired couple has a 150 litre geyser and uses 2 showers per day in Cape Town. We would recommend a 47-1500/18 heating panel.
Usage example 2: A family of 4 has a 150 litre geyser and uses 4 showers per day in Cape Town. We would recommend a 58-1800-18 heating panel.
We also check the geyser insulation and timing and ensure optimum energy usage for the user.
A full conversion kit will use one heating panel, one pump and pump unions, one controller and element timer, one air release valve, three isolation valves, one non-return valve and approx 3 lengths of 15mm copper piping and 9 lengths 15mm insulation.
In addition you will need approx 5 m 4.0mm electrical wiring for the element; roof sealing as required.
The recommended prices are :
Full conversion kit for 150 litre system R 9535.00 inc VAT (AKG58-1800/18 - galvanized flat roof stand) - R10500 (Aluminium frame) Full conversion kit for 200 litre system R 10662.00 inc VAT (AKG58-1800/24 - galvanized flat roof stand) - R12350 (Aluminium frame)
Installation labour varies but generally takes a full day ( 8 hours) and can be from R285 to R400 per hour according to your installation company Installation Costs
The simpler the installation, the less the installation costs should be.
Complex installations occur when the heating panel is a long way from the geyser, the roof type is difficult to wtareproof, or connect the panel or the roof space is very confined. The more complex the installation, the higher the professional installer fees.
Sunpower Solar Water Heating Pty Ltd Unit 1, Royal Business Park 19 Basson St Maitland, Cape Town 7405
Tel (021) 5108 786 or 0861 468 786 (0861 HOT SUN) Fax 086 611 5521 http//www.sunpower.co.za Skype: robinthomson