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I installed a Vacuum tube solar water heater and reduced my electricity bill by 40%.
The moment you introduce batteries the ROI goes for a ball of chalk. In my household, 1/3 usage in day time and 2/3 at nightime. The best paying option is a geyser timer and try and organise the heating in high production time. Consider other big users outside the geyser time. Like washing machines, tumble driers and swimming pools, sprinkler systems. All of them can be done with seperate timers?? Spread the peak consumption to a flatter curve? (I save about 2 grand per month with a 5kw invertor and 6,4 kw panels.)
Reduce our load/consumption BEFORE going to Solar.
1) Gas stove top for cooking, use air fryer instead of oven if family is small, boil water on gas top and keep boiled water in flask, etc.;
2) Hot water - Gas, Solar Geyser or Heat pump; Put insulation on hot water pipes and geyser to reduce heat loss and remove dead legs from plumbing system where possible or install ring main;
3) Compressors - Fridges, Aircon & heat pumps. Fridge/freezers - pack effectively and put water bottels in empty spaces to help stay cool for longer (Compressor will start less), new technology fridges are more energy efficient. AC - Buy inverter (you will get your money back in the long run), look at better/more roof insulation, keep doors and windows closed to keep cold air in room as far as possible (remember you still need fresh air to breath), keep at a constant temp and allow area to pre-cool if space will be occupied for a long duration, etc. Heat pumps - run them during the hottest time of the day and add more thermal storage if possible (Add cover over heated pool);
4) Pumps - Swimming pool, Borehole, Water features, etc. Put them on a timer and don't run them during peak times. Add VSD where applicable;
5) Lights - Energy efficient LED bulbs, switch lights in unoccupied rooms off and add motion sensors to outdoor lights so that not all 800 outdoor lights burn through out the night.
6) No essential items - switch off at the plug, power supplies draw very small amounts of power even if the appliance is off.
7) Space heating - Gas or Aircon. Your aircon will be more efficient than a oil or panel heater.
All these items makes a small difference but they do add up at the end of the day/month.
With this change in mindset our power bill is now between R0,8k to R1,2k per month (season depending) for a family of 5.
Regards,
J
Lots of ideas, experiences. All valuable.
Experience coupled with 3 geysers, 8 people, lifestyle changes, timers, and a 5kva and 5.2 KW system can cut ones cost down to <R100 per month, max R1500 due to weeks of weather in winter. A double whammy.
BUT, it takes time to hone the "skill", condition the people ... eventually one can put the "whip" away.
Takes a bit of effort sometimes.
No gas, just using induction plates/airfryers/MW etc, timers ... with discipline.
Yes, plural of everything, being 3 kitchens.
With a "so what" attitude for when Eskom is used.
Some may ask, why the Solis? ... cause I'm bored ... ok, serious now, I know we need about 1kw more for some days, and hopefully the 3kw more in winter will help.
ROI on Solis ... NO idea.
It is WANT, even touching HOBBY level.
My point?
Over time we all get really clever on how to cut Eskom costs ... when we sees what goes where, and asks: Is there a better way? ... the experience part.
No "one size fits all" ... sorry.
Political Correctness
Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional illogical minority, rabidly promoted by a unscrupulous mainstream media which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd ... by the clean end!
Saw this in a pub - no idea why the wife does not see it so:
I'm not opinionated ... I'm just always right!
Hello Paul
I would not your like your friend led astray - paying more to BP than he would have to Escom
I am intrigued with the widely held view that gas will be cheaper than Escom.
My calcs. (hope everyone tests them) - 1l. of LPG cost R37.90 and produces 7KWh of energy so cost is R5.41 per KWh.
Escom cost about R2 per KWh.
So lets look at how gas is used.
1. Boiling a kettle versus using a gas hob - as all the energy goes directly into the water Escom wins.
2. Electric hob versus gas hob - cannot see gas being more than twice as efficient - Escom wins.
3. Space heating - all energy goes into the room - Escom wins.
4. Oven - same as space heating - Escom wins.
5. Shower - gas only consumed when you shower and electric geysers have inefficiencies - too complex for me to calculate.
Have I gone wrong somewhere?
I think LPG is great convenience as always available (till cylinder runs dry) but not necessarily cheaper - as all the gas equipment suppliers would have us believe.
Cheers
Frank
Last edited by the_terrible_triplett; 2024/02/12 at 06:36 PM.
Political Correctness
Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional illogical minority, rabidly promoted by a unscrupulous mainstream media which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd ... by the clean end!
Saw this in a pub - no idea why the wife does not see it so:
I'm not opinionated ... I'm just always right!
I don't know if gas will cut down on your energy bill.
What I do now is that it reliably works, is not affected by loadshedding and do not strain your inverter. Also if you use it for cooking a bottle lasts a long time so not a lot of refilling.
Hot water is another matter.
Yes. We sommer bought the single top ones, having removed the stove.
EDIT: Use them for camping too.
Google some more, allegedly chefs are now taking to them too. Due to the speed at which one can cook on them.
From what I've seen the last few years, it makes for a very good case.
We even cook on the solar system using the batts during LS. They are that "light" and fast to make a quick meal.
They also do oscillate - 2000w - 0w - 2000w - 0w depending on your setting, just like a MW, Airfryer.
... and the kitchen stays cooler ... heat transfer is direct.
That is, once you have confirmed all your pots and pans can get a magnet stuck to them.
Last edited by the_terrible_triplett; 2024/02/13 at 01:49 PM.
Political Correctness
Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional illogical minority, rabidly promoted by a unscrupulous mainstream media which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd ... by the clean end!
Saw this in a pub - no idea why the wife does not see it so:
I'm not opinionated ... I'm just always right!
SWAMBO wanted to convert the stove to gas many years ago, so we did. She loves the immediate heat.
After getting solar, I was looking for ways to utilise throw-away sun when the batteries are full early and we throw away any electricity that we don't use on the spot while there is ample sun.
I bought a cheapy induction cooker, about 700 ronts at the time. Rule was that cooking in the daytime has to happen on the induction, when there is sun or we foresee batteries can still get full a bit later.
So far the gas cylinder is lasting 3+ times longer than before.
Not sure when we'll break even on the cost of the induction stove, but I'm in no rush.
She just bought one of these heat-retaining pumpkins that keeps a pot on temperature for hours. Main idea is for making yoghurt at home.
I want to get it used for getting hot supper started early in the day. So far (before pumpkin) the argument has been that food would be cold by suppertime, so it has to be prepared in the evening on gas or air fryer.
We'll see how that pans out.
Since this thread title suits and it is quiet today, please may I derail it momentarily for a simple question?
.
Must ESKOM provide its direct customers with consumption meters? Yes or No.
Scenario: Always had access to the top section of ESKOM medium user 3-phase connection box with meters.
Some years ago reporting was changed to radio and top section locked with ESKOM lock.
Account has shown some abberations and wishing to check, cannot collaborate ESKOM readings.
Before I demand ESKOM provide user-readable meters (or grant access to such, should they still exist in the locked section)
I am wary of being caught out by small print somewhere which might yet make it the customers responsibility.
TTT, did I understand the previous posts correctly that the Solis inverters should not be used with prepaid meters ?
Do they cause problems such as tripping the meters ? I have a prepaid meter installed and would need it to be able to ZERO export.
https://www.sustainable.co.za/produc...Wsqhy2-tZ9riiE
I have circled back to this topic but hybrid still does not make sense to me. SWAMBO differs, but my my small UPS system has not let us down yet. I would prefer as the OP has stated a reduced bill. I already have a gas stove installed a long time ago and also have a heatpump for the main geyser, the second geyser still using an element. I do not want to fiddle with the system other than knowing how much power is being generated and to schedule the geysers, pool pump to use it efficiently. Usage approximately 1000 kWh per month.
There is always someone at home during the day so my consumption can be focused during the day. if this is a hijack then the relevant people can just let me know and I will start a new post.
"Escom cost about R2 per KWh"
Where in SA does one only pay R2/KWh, I'm paying R3.60 incl. per KWh...
Padraic Berry
It works on a sliding scale or Incline Block tariff if you prefer. Munics have more blocks but Eskom has only 2 as per their published tariff book on the internet.
looking at Eskom
The First set of units which you consume, as in Eskom's case the first 600kWh is around R2.70 per kWh. I guess you are correct because if you are rounding off then that price is closer to R3 than R2 per kWh. Perhaps the person who wrote the article should have been more specific.
No, they work nicely grid tied unless you have a sensi PAYG meter like some complain about the Conlog meters. They can be adjusted but Munic's just don't bother.
So just check that with your local solar installer, if your meter will be fine.
Titbit: All inverters connected to the gird pushes back bits of power a times like when big loads go off.
Intentionally feeding back to the grid, for various financial reasons, is a whole new subject matter.
Listen to SWAMBO. You have batteries, then hybrid is the next logical upgrade from a UPS.
We are paying R3.43 incl VAT per unit for <600 units bracket.
Last edited by the_terrible_triplett; 2024/10/10 at 10:01 PM.
Political Correctness
Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional illogical minority, rabidly promoted by a unscrupulous mainstream media which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd ... by the clean end!
Saw this in a pub - no idea why the wife does not see it so:
I'm not opinionated ... I'm just always right!
Perhaps I can share my recent experience with my Solis 4G mini as far as tripping Conlog prepaid meters.
I was forced to have prepaid installed 2 weeks ago. With the CT clamp fitted I have no problems with the meter fitted by Tshwane.
Tshwane was known to have their meters configured very sensitive. If it is still true I don't know.
I have the WCIU unit.
I am still very happy with my Solis that I have been using for 5.5 yrs.
<<Confucius said>>
I'm in a similar situation, limited funds but want to lower my Eskom bill.
My thinking at the moment is a grid tied, PV inverter with panels on the entire house, no batteries.
Timers and lifestyle changes to move as much as possible loads to sunshine hours, geysers, oven/baking, borehole pump, pool pump, washing/ironing, etc.
I'm actually already around 80% there with shifting loads to sunshine hours, just a bit more house training to be done and one or two more smart timers to be bought.
The only consumers I won't be able to do much about at this stage is fridge/freezers, TV, computers and other small loads which will run after sunset and through the night, then also the use of the air fryer or induction plate in the evening and the kettle in the morning before sun rise, but I'd like to think of those loads as being negligible in the bigger picture.
Before you judge a person, first walk a mile in their shoes.
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