Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect the solar water heating system to my existing geyser?
Yes. The Vesuvius system connects to your existing geyser with an uncomplicated
conversion.
However, If your geyser is older than five years, we would suggest installing a
new geyser. The new solar-designed geysers are made for solar water heating
systems and are very well insulated to prevent heat loss.

How much of a saving can I expect when I install a Vesuvius solar
water heating system?
You can expect a saving of up to forty percent on your current electricity bill.

What happens on overcast and cold days?
The efficiency of the Vesuvius system means that your water will still be heated
on overcast days, but perhaps not to the same high temperatures that you will
reach on a day of full sun. However, your geyser will remain connected to your
electricity supply, so that if you do not reach a high enough temperature in your
geyser, the water will be heated by electricity for the final few degrees. You will
still be saving on electricity as the majority of the heating will by done by the sun.

What happens if one of the solar tubes on the roof is broken?
In the unlikely event of one or more of the solar tubes breaking, they can be
quickly and easily replaced without any interruption to the functioning of the
system, as there is no water running in the tubes. The tubes are manufactured
from 2.1mm thick glass which is resistant to hail up to 35mm.

How much maintenance will I have to perform on my Vesuvius system?
None at all. The Vesuvius system is completely maintenance-free.

What about the ESKOM rebate? Can I apply
for the rebate if I install the Vesuvius system?
ESKOM introduced the rebate system in 2008. You can read about it at
http://www.eskomdsm/?q=Solar_water_heating_Background_information.
We support this initiative fully, but would however like to point out a few facts.
In order to qualify for the ESKOM rebate, you will have to replace your existing
geyser with a new geyser recommended by ESKOM. Your existing geyser, no
matter how new, will have to be destroyed and removed from your premises.
In many cases the cost of installing the new geyser will be greater than the
amount of the rebate.
Systems that qualify for the rebate have to have been tested and passed at the
SABS for certain mechanical and thermal properties and this is a costly process.
These costs have more than likely been factored into the cost of the system which
will mean that you will be paying inflated costs for a system which qualifies for a
rebate, and the rebate will not nearly cover these costs. Another factor to
consider is the often very lengthy waiting period to receive your rebate, and this
after you have just paid out a large amount of money to install the system.

For these reasons we suggest you consider carefully before selecting a system.
Our system is more efficient than many of the qualifying systems and our prices
have been discounted thoroughly so that you will get your system at an
affordable price without any unnecessary red tape to claim a rebate.