The hot water system (geyser) in most homes is the single largest consumer of electricity and is typically responsible for around 50% of the total electric bill. Clients often ask how they can reduce their electricity bill or even get away from Eskom by going off-grid and the first step is to make the hot water system energy efficient, change to energy efficient lighting and maybe get a gas top stove. Only after these have been taken care of one can look at something like a PV (solar electric) system.

There are a number of different technologies that are commonly used to make the hot water system more energy efficient but for most households it will either be a solar water heating or a heat pump water heating system that will work the best and provide the quickest return on investment. For more information on this statement, view this article.