As households across South Africa look for ways to manage rising winter expenses, a finance expert is warning that many could be wasting money through a simple issue hiding in plain sight: heat escaping from their geyser.
Also see: 5 Practical ways to avoid costly geyser failures this winter
Expert weighs in on cutting winter energy waste
Renier Botha, finance expert at same-day loan company Blink Finance, says adding insulation around a household geyser could help reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency, with some estimates suggesting improved insulation can help reduce hot water heating costs by around 10–15%, particularly in older or poorly insulated systems.
A geyser blanket works by creating an additional insulating layer around the tank, helping to keep heated water warmer for longer. This means the geyser may not need to work as frequently to maintain the required temperature, helping households make better use of the electricity they are already paying for.
Renier says many homeowners focus on smaller energy-saving habits while overlooking one of the biggest contributors to monthly electricity costs.
“When people think about reducing their electricity bill, they often look at switching off lights or unplugging appliances, but hot water usage can be one of the biggest areas of household energy consumption.
“During winter, this becomes even more noticeable because people tend to use more hot water, whether that’s for longer showers, washing dishes or simply needing warmer water throughout the day.”
The financial impact
He explains that heat loss from a geyser means households may be paying to repeatedly warm water that has already been heated.
“A geyser doesn’t just heat water once and stop. It has to maintain that temperature, and every time heat escapes from the tank, the system needs to use more energy to bring it back up.”
According to energy-saving guidance from the City of Cape Town, insulating a geyser and hot water pipes can help reduce the cost of keeping water hot by R500 or more per year, making it one of the more affordable improvements households can consider.
Renier says the appeal of a geyser blanket is that it offers a practical option for homeowners who cannot afford major energy upgrades.
“Not every household can invest in solar panels or replace their entire hot water system, but there are smaller changes that can help reduce unnecessary spending.
“Improving insulation around your geyser is a relatively simple step that can help households use energy more efficiently over time.”
Also see: How to prevent your geyser from bursting this winter
The bigger picture
However, Renier warns that insulation should be viewed as one part of a wider approach to reducing electricity costs.
“A geyser blanket won’t eliminate your hot water costs, and the amount saved will depend on factors like the age of the geyser, the quality of the insulation already in place and how much hot water a household uses.
“The biggest impact usually comes from combining several small changes, such as fixing leaking hot water taps, taking shorter showers and avoiding heating water that isn’t needed.”
He also recommends homeowners consider insulating exposed hot water pipes, as heat can be lost before water even reaches the tap.
“People often focus only on the geyser itself, but hot water pipes can also lose heat as water travels around the home. Insulating the wider system can help prevent energy being wasted before the hot water even gets where it needs to go.”
Also see: How a pool noodle can help cut electricity costs this winter
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