Choosing The Correct Gas Geyser
Undoubtedly the most important factor in fitting a gas geyser is choosing the correct one for the job it has to do.
We do not have a culture of gas in SA so we tend to think in terms of the electric geyser where going bigger gives you more hot water. Going bigger with a gas unit is definitely not better as this will only create problems. Unlike electrical geysers where “liters” indicate the volume of available hot water when the geyser is full, “liters” indicate the maximum flow rate of water exiting from the geyser in liters per minute.
The 'hot' and 'cool" settings on the right-hand control knob of a gas geyser are, in fact, flow rate settings and not temperature settings although both will affect the water temperature.. The slower the water flows through the unit the hotter it becomes. A 20l gas unit will deliver the following results:
- At the cool setting water will flow through the unit at 20l per minute.
- At the hot setting water flow will be reduced to 10l per minute.
- As the size and intensity of the flames will remain the same, the result is hotter water at 10l per minute.
When choosing a gas geyser, the important factor to consider is not how much hot water you need as the geyser heats the water on demand. While gas is available, there is no limit to the volume of hot water available. The water emerging from the tap will remain hot. An electrical geyser, on the other hand, will deliver a predetermined volume of hot water and thereafter cold water will emerge from the tap until such time as the geyser has re-heated the water.
An important point to consider when choosing a gas geyser is the maximum flow rate of the tap or other item from which you will withdraw the hot water. Most showers have a maximum flow rate of 10l per minute and so does most basin taps. Installing a 20l gas geyser when you only want to run a shower, is not only overkill it will also result in you experiencing problems with your system. Below is a list of maximum and minimum flow rates for different units and the uses for which each unit is suitable.
- 6l - flows at 6 to 3 liters per minute suitable for a basin or camping.
- 8l - flows at 8 to 4 liters per minute suitable for a kitchen, basin, small shower.
- 10l - flows at 10 to 5 liters per minute suitable for a shower and basin.
- 12l - flows at 12 to 6 liters per minute suitable for a shower, basin and bath.
- 16l - flows at 16 to 8 liters per minute suitable for a bath, basin and larger shower.
- 20l - flows at 20 to 10 liters per minute suitable for a Jacuzzi and commercial use.
One unit will run more than one bathroom provided both are not being used simultaneously. If you need a flow rate in excess of 20l per minute the system can be cascaded by running a number of geysers in parallel.
Legislation Governing Gas Installations
South African law requires that gas installations be done by accredited installers. Gas installers are accredited by the South African Qualification and Certification Committee (SAQCC). To view the regulations governing gas installations, click this link. To view details of or download the Act in terms of which these regulations were promulgated, click this link. To verify our accreditation with SAQCC, click this link.
For property owners it is important that they be in possession of a Certificate Of Conformity issued by an acrredited gas installer as insurance claims can be seriously compromised in cases where such a certificate cannot be produced on request. For enquiries regarding Certificates Of Conformity, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..