Benefits For Homeowners
Solar power benefits for homeowners
With a looming energy crisis and pressure to make use of alternative energy sources many people are asking the question: How can I save energy while still saving costs? At Kayema, we know exactly how you can save energy; we help people do it all the time. We provide state-of-the-art solar power technology for homes that will not only save energy, but will also save money.
Cost saving benefits of solar power for the home
- A standard electric geyser accounts for up to 50 per cent of an average household’s monthly energy bill. A solar geyser will not only save energy but significantly reduce your expenditure.
- Electricity prices continue to soar and are predicted to increase over the next decade to bring them more in line with international pricing. This makes purchasing a solar heater that much more logical.
- Solar water heating is currently the most cost effective way of reducing electricity expenses.
- By reducing the costs of heating water, home solar power systems pay for themselves in a matter of years, and continue to save energy for years to come.
| Electric geyser energy use and cost calculations | |||
| Operating Temperatures | |||
| 60 degrees | 70 degrees | ||
| Geyser size | 150 L | 150 L | |
| Average hot water consumption/household/day | 150 L | 150 L | |
| Average daily losses | 0.01533 | 0.01533 | kWh/l/day |
| Specific heat of water | 0.00116 | 0.00116 | kWh/l/degree C |
| Average water temp. | 18.00 | 18.00 | |
| Thermostat setting | 60.00 | 70.00 | |
| Energy required/day | 9.61 | 11.35 | kWh/day |
| Energy required/month | 292.24 | 345.17 | kWh/month |
| Cost of elec. | R 0.85 | R 0.85 | /kWh |
| Ave. monthly water heating cost | R 261.48 | R 293.39 | /month |
| Note: 95 per cent efficiency of element assumed | |||
Core assumptions
| Elec. geyser cost (incl. install) | R7,000 | |
| Elec. geyser cost/month | R261 | |
| SWH cost (incl. install+ Eskom incentive) | R18,000 | |
| SWH elec. cost/month | R89 | |
| Finance rate | 25.0% | |
| Financed over (years) | 3 | |
| Discount rate | 15% | |
| Electricity increase rate (1st 3 yrs) | 45% | |
| Electricity increase rate (4th yr onwards) | 16% | |
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | |
| Monthly cost of electricity (electric geyser only) | 261 | 330 | 416 | 524 | 529 |
Total cost of ownership over twenty year period
Electric geyser only = R136,196, Solar geyser with electric backup = R67,318
Environmental benefits of solar power at home
- Solar power decreases your carbon footprint.
- A solar geyser and solar heater will dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- All heat is derived from a renewable energy source.
- Solar power for houses is completely pollution free.
- South Africa’s sunny climate offers perfect conditions for a home solar power heating system.
Practical benefits of solar power
- While you save energy you are assured of a constant supply of hot water even during power outages.
- Solar geysers and heaters allow you to avoid costly and noisy generators.



