did you know?

That the most advanced PV design to date is by a South African, Professor Vivian Alberts of University Johannesburg. Read more facts here

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Subscribe to our free Newsletter and stay informed of what is happening in the industry. This is a sent out every two months.

survey

Take our survey and help us colate important information to get you the best solution to your household solar efficiency problems.

how does it work?

For those interested in the way things work, this will provide some interesting reading and background knowledge on solar energy.

solar pool heating

Enhance your pool and extend your swimming hours and season with a heated pool system.

water harvesting - (grey water)

A little off the subject of solar, but still on the one of greening, take a look at ideas to harvest and efficiently utilise water in your household

energy saving tips

Become more green, even if it is in baby steps. Learn some useful tips and tricks to save you money around the house. Everything counts you know.

interesting & useful links

Here are some links you might find handy if you are looking to learn more around the subject of solar energy, what's happening, other uses and more.

while you are at it

Take a look at these other energy saving devices, as they will collectively make you more green.

 

 

solar gallery - the main ingredients

shower heads

While this may seem a small and insignificant move to make, it will count in the long run. This is not going to make the biggest difference on a rand-for-rand basis, but it certainly will make an eco-impact and after all, it this about saving water.

switch to energy and water-efficient showerheads and save

Water heating is the biggest electricity expense for the average household and, the more hot water you use, the more it costs you.

But, it's not just about saving electricity or money. It's also about saving water.

South Africa is a semi-arid country and our average national rainfall of 450mm is well below the international average of 860mm. This makes water a scarce and precious resource so we should all use water conservatively. There is a lot you can do to save water. For instance, instead of allowing the water to run when you wash your face or while you shave, you should fill the basin with just the amount of water you need.

Similarly, when brushing your teeth, turn off the tap while you complete your routine and use a cup filled with water for rinsing your mouth.

Allowing taps to drip water is also extremely wasteful. So remember to tightly turn off your taps after using them and fix any leaky taps.

Did you know that you can significantly reduce the amount of water your household consumes by simply switching from bathing to showering and, that you can achieve additional savings if you use an energy and water-saving showerhead?

Well you can.

In fact, using an energy and water-saving showerhead is an effective way of cutting back on hot water consumption and electricity usage in your home.

Question: What is an energy and water-saving showerhead?

Answer: This typically has a flow rate of less than 10 litres per minute, compared with a conventional showerhead which has a flow rate of 15 litres per minute.

Question: How can I tell if my showerhead is compliant with this energy efficiency specification?

Answer: Here is a quick test - hold a 2-litre jug under your showerhead with the tap turned on full and time how long it takes to fill the jug. Less than 11 seconds to fill the jug, your showerhead does not comply. Longer than 11 seconds is good, and will save you energy and water.

Question: How much can I really save by using an energy and water-saving showerhead?

Answer: Replacing your 7-minute power shower with an "energy and water-savings" shower can save around 35 litres of water every time you shower. Over the course of a year, you can save around 38 000 litres of water. At a cost of R5 per kilolitre, you can elicit a R190 saving on your annual water bill.

At the current electricity tariff of 55c per kilo Watt hour (kWh) the potential Rand savings on your electric bill can be close to R680 per year for a household that has an average of three 7-minute showers per day, where the temperature set point of the geyser is 60 ºC.

Question: How much will it cost to replace my ordinary showerhead with an energy and water-saving showerhead?

Answer: Energy and water-saving showerheads can cost anything between R80 and R400 each, depending on the material from which they are made of. The plastic varieties are generally cheaper and they can be just as effective as the more expensive stainless steel varieties. However, they may not be as durable. Based on the potential Rand savings highlighted in the example above, you can see a return on your investment in a R350 energy and water-saving showerhead in five months.


Question: How will switching to a low-flow, energy efficient showerhead affect my shower experience?

Answer: Energy and water-saving showerheads deliver the same shower sensation as conventional showerheads and unless you already have a problem with low water pressure, your shower experience will not be affected. Eskom recommends that the showerhead flow-rate should not be less than 9 litres per minute to ensure that your shower experience is not compromised. The minimum pressure on your geyser should also be more than 1 bar.

Question: What's the difference between energy and water saving and laminar showerheads?

Answer: Aerator showerheads mix air with water, forming a misty spray while laminar-flow showerheads form individual streams of water. Both types are energy and water-efficient.