City Power installs, audits Solar Geysers for low-income households

By Staff Writer

City Power Spokesperson, Isaac Mangena             Photo: Roodepoort Record

City Power has been embarking on a process of auditing solar geysers since last week, Tuesday, 19th March 2024. According to the power utility, the purpose of this initiative is to assess the working condition of the solar water heaters that were installed back in 2014. During this process, new geysers will also be installed in low-income households across all Service Delivery Centres (SDCs).

Thousands of solar water heaters were installed a decade ago, in an effort to shave off added pressure on the grid. Over the years, some of those installed have begun to malfunction with others no longer working altogether.

This has led to some customers reverting to conventional geysers that are high energy consuming, burdening the already strained network.

In an effort to address this, the utility will start with the process of assessing those water heating facilitied, to see how many are functioning well out of all that were installed. This work, which will include house - to – house visits for audit purposes, will be carried out by appointed agents, starting in Lenasia and Midrand from last Tuesday said City Power spokesperson, Isaac Mangena

He further emphasized that, these energy efficient and environmentally friendly water heaters generate about 2.5 Kw per household and prevent more than 20 000 tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere.

“Customers are advised to grant the entity’s agents access to their premises as the visits are not aimed at switching off power supply, but to conduct work related to solar water geysers. These individuals will be wearing yellow TID reflector vests, carrying valid City Power IDs. Their identities can also be verified by contacting City Power Risk Control Department on 011 490 7000/11. All the relevant contact information will be contained on the reflector vests so that customers may verify their identity on the spot.

This process will benefit customers, by reducing their electricity costs exponentially. It is therefore in every customers best interest to allow the agents in their houses. We equally urge them to be vigilant and be on the lookout for criminals who might come to their homes masquerading as City Power agents” concluded Mangena.