By: Colin Isaacs
The buzz words doing it rounds is "save electricity" and would seem that the world and its aunt want to market solar energy. This is all well and good, but Moral Responsibility needs to be considered.
Take note of one example as shown in photo.
The sticker clearly states: - convert your existing water heater to solar water heating.
In the May 2009 issue of Plumbing Africa, the writer pointed out the Department of Labour’s call that the electrical hot water cylinders, known in the industry as a geyser, must comply with the compulsory national standards.
As photo graph show the electrical cylinder does not comply to SANS 0151. The safety valve has been removed in terms
of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSH Act) that deals with the safety of electrical storage water heaters.
By converting a standard water cylinder that carries the SABS mark of approval may be a source of danger to the public. This is a common hazard that is taking place around the country and the attitude of the plumber's is that a solar tank is too expensive. Remember you are breaking the law, as per the Government Gazette Regulation 509 that became law on 8th June 2001 and was issued in terms of the Water Services Act no. 8 of 1997.
Another factor to take in to account in the photo:
The solar panel has no brand name or label. The question to be asked is the solar panel made in SA, to what standard and has it being tested by the SABS and to what energy rating.
As the installation in the photo shows, due to the plumbing configuration, cross feed will take place. Therefore the client will not get the correct performance out of the system.
* The element in the existing standard water heater is not in accordance with the SABS Solar designed storage tank.
* Point to note all solar designed tanks are all now fitted with a 2 k watt element.
A standard electric water heater normally is fitted with a 3 or 4 k watt element.
* Eskom is trying to reduce power consumption to water heater.
If plumbers want to get into solar water heating, they need to obtain the relevant qualification and they should become member of SESSA and membership requirement can be found on www.sessa.org.za
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