Designer markets new water heater 
as affordable alternative

A 45-ℓ open-storage tank solar water heater is being marketed for use in informal settlements, with its designer, Mark Paxton, claiming that the innovation could provide a cost-effective alternative to conventional solutions.

However, the unit, made of aluminium, copper and plastic, failed to comply with South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) regulations, which stipulate that solar water heaters should show no leakage or any sign of damage or deformation that could impair the normal operation of any components, at a hydrostatic pressure of 50 KPa.

At this pressure, the tank started leaking and the pressure dropped. Paxton is concerned about the SABS results, but hastens to add that the heater was never designed to withstand such pressure.

He does not rule out the possibility of a SABS retest.

¡°The retail price for the unit is R1 440, including value-added tax. I kept the price low so that the unit would be affordable for 
people living in RDP houses.