There’s some debate as to whether South Africans should put their money behind the increasingly popular solar geysers or humble gas geysers. Undoubtedly there are a myriad of benefits to both options, but if you want a closer look at the pros and cons of each, then we can help you with this handy review. 

After all, the last thing you want is to make the wrong choice for your household and land up in something decidedly less welcoming than hot water.  

With that in mind, here’s our informative take on the advantages and disadvantages when it comes to deciding which is better – solar vs gas-powered geysers.  

Major Advantages Of Solar Geysers  

When it comes to powering your geyser, you generally have three options, namely the electric geyser that most South Africans rely on, the gas geyser which uses LP gas, and of course, the solar geyser.  

Solar geyser options are, as mentioned, quite popular, but to make the best decision for your water heating requirements, let’s review the pros and cons of this solution. 

The Benefits	Consider The Cons
Enjoy the use of renewable and FREE energy, widely available every time the sun shines.	The hot water runs out/becomes cold as you use it, meaning the last person to have a shower may have a cold experience.
Solar geysers don’t require much maintenance.	You may have to resort to electricity or gas as a back-up in order to enjoy hot water.
You can dramatically reduce your electricity consumption – and you don’t have to keep buying gas bottles.	Going solar requires a higher initial cash outlay.
Reduce your dependence on Eskom and enjoy hot water during loadshedding for cleaning and bathing.	Depending on your solar set-up, if the sun isn’t shining (or it’s night time), you’re unlikely to enjoy hot water.
Solar can help you meet 50-90% of your hot water requirements, depending on your usage.	Solar geysers require solar electricians and plumbers to make sure you get the proper certification of compliance.

But Is Gas Better? 

Solar comes with impressive savings, but there are benefits to going with gas for your water heating needs. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of the gas geyser solution. 

The Benefits	Consider The Cons
Gas is more convenient, giving you stable/constant hot water on demand – no matter the weather or time of day.	Your gas can finish without warning, and you constantly have to buy new gas bottles.
Gas is efficient and still cheaper than electricity, so you’ll still reduce your energy bill.	The price of gas is going up and unpredictable gas shortages have been known to happen.
LP gas is widely available.	It takes longer for gas to heat water from lower temperatures, so winter can really affect your hot water supply.
Gas geysers are compact in size and don’t store water.	Gas geysers are water-pressure dependent and won’t operate optimally if the pressure is poor.
Because of the size and location of gas geysers, there’s little risk of your geyser bursting and damaging your ceiling or rooms.	Gas geysers have to be installed by qualified gas technicians and plumbers in order for you to have a valid certificate of compliance.

The Best Of Both Worlds 

If you’re still having a hard time choosing between gas and solar, there is a way to enjoy the savings of solar and the convenience of gas. All it takes is combining the two solutions, giving you the best of both worlds. This is thankfully made possible by the introduction of newer gas geysers, which aren’t as expensive as fan forced gas geysers and offer the benefit of being solar compatible. These units don’t generally cost significantly more than the normal diaphragm geysers and the installation for these units is often cheaper than that of a fan forced unit. 

Feeling informed? 

The choice between solar and gas-powered geysers can be a tough one, as each option comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. However, making an informed decision is crucial to ensure that you have a reliable and cost-effective solution for your water heating needs.

To help you make the right choice and enjoy the best of both worlds – the savings of solar and the convenience of gas – we recommend taking the first step by getting a free property valuation report. Understanding the value of your property can play a significant role in planning your energy upgrade, whether it’s investing in a solar geyser, opting for a gas-powered one, or even combining the two solutions.

So, don’t hesitate to get your free property valuation report and make a well-informed decision for a more energy-efficient and cost-effective future.