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Elon Smart Hot Water System: A new era of water heating
In September, Kwikot introduced what would be reckoned to be ‘a new era of water heating’ with the launch of the Elon Smart Hot Water System – a groundbreaking solution developed by PowerOptimal and available exclusively from Kwikot.
The internationally patented Elon Smart Hot Water System can save up to 50% of households’ electricity bill through using the power of the sun to heat water. It enables direct connection of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to any standard Kwikot electric water heater with no inverter or batteries required. Payback periods of as little as two years can be achieved depending on hot water use levels and tariffs.
As South African consumers continue to be lambasted by rapidly increasing electricity bills, the Elon Smart Hot Water System offers a timely and essential solution for households. The monitoring and management of water temperature, solar and grid electricity use, as well as early alerts, are all accessed directly from a smartphone.
The Elon Smart Hot Water System simply plugs directly into standard Kwikot electric water heaters. Retrofit installation is as simple as exchanging the existing thermostat for the Elon Smart Hot Water System, making it an ideal upgrade for traditional water heaters.
Environment-friendly and cost effective
While being a cost-effective solution, the Elon Smart Hot Water System also has a substantial impact on the carbon footprint of domestic hot water. Just 1kW of solar PV used for water heating in one household will save about 40t of carbon dioxide over the system’s lifetime.
“We are proud to collaborate on a solution that not only meets the immediate energy cost challenges South Africans face but also contributes to a more sustainable future. It empowers users to reduce their energy costs, lower their carbon footprint, and make a meaningful contribution to the environment, all while ensuring access to reliable, efficient water heating,” says Electrolux Home MD Murray Crow. He adds that, by integrating smart technology with renewable solar power, the company is offering a solution that puts control back in the hands of consumers, allowing them to manage their energy use remotely and make smarter choices for their households. “This is a significant step forward in addressing the country’s energy crisis and building a greener and more sustainable future for all South Africans.”
Reducing dependence on the national grid is becoming increasingly important in South Africa. The country’s ongoing electricity shortages and rising energy costs mean that alternative, renewable solutions like the Elon Smart Hot Water System are critical for long-term energy security. By leveraging solar power, the system helps alleviate pressure on the grid, providing a more resilient energy infrastructure that can withstand growing demand and reduce the risk of blackouts.
The Elon Smart Hot Water System transforms coal-fired electric geysers into smart, solar PV-ready, green appliances. It provides real-time monitoring which allows for the delivery of actionable data by the end-user.
This provides ecosystem stakeholders with the necessary insights to support decision-making and proactive management and service delivery.
Simple installation with plug-and-play solar PV enables reduced reliability on fossil fuels, improving quality of life.
Electrolux South Africa is the local market leader in hot water solutions through its Kwikot brand, and PowerOptimal is the local manufacturer and developer of the Elon Smart Hot Water System, with Microtronix being the manufacturing partner of the solution.
During the launch, DIY & Industrial Trade News was invited to tour both the Microtronix Manufacturing facility in Randburg and Electrolux manufacturing facility in Benoni. At Microtronix Manufacturing, members of the media were shown how the Elon Smart Hot Water System is manufactured to precision to ensure that it carries out the desired outcome for the end user.
At the Electrolux manufacturing facility, the media was taken through the manufacturing processes of both the industrial and commercial geysers. From the bending of the elements that are fitted in the geysers, to how the steel sheets (supplied from Arcelor Mittal) are bent into a circular shape ready for welding. The welding of the commercial geysers is automated and tested in water to check for any faults before moving on to the next stage. The domes are then fitted at each end of the circular steel sheets to form the body of the geyser.
The domes are also welded by an automated welding machine. They are then sent through for inner coating that prevents erosion and rust. Following this, the geysers are fitted with the Elon Smart Hot Water System and then packaged. Through a conveyor belt line, the packaged geysers are then sent to the warehouse where stock is sorted for collection to various hardware stores and retailers for purchase.
Following the tour, the members of the media were then invited to lunch at the Electrolux/Kwikot showroom to end the day.
