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Frequently Asked Questions

Air Conditioning
What size air conditioner do I need for my room or office?

Air conditioner size is usually given in BTUs. A rough guideline is about 500-600 BTU per m² of floor space, but factors like ceiling height, sun exposure, insulation, and how many people are in the space also matter.

Most manufacturers and technicians recommend at least once a year for homes, ideally before summer – and possibly twice a year for offices or heavy-use units.

  • Inverter ACs adjust the compressor speed to match cooling demand, making them more energy-efficient, quieter and consistent in temperature.

  • Non-inverter ACs run the compressor at full speed or off, which uses more electricity and leads to more start/stop cycles.

It depends on the unit size and technology, but typical units use several hundred to a few thousand watts while running. In South Africa, running costs can be from around a few Rand per hour for efficient inverter units up to higher for larger or older models.

Common reasons include dirty filters or coils, low refrigerant, restricted airflow, or incorrect sizing for the space. Regular maintenance helps prevent these issues.

How does a solar power system work?

Solar panels have photovoltaic (PV) cells that capture sunlight and convert it into DC electricity. An inverter then turns that into AC electricity your home can use. If you produce more power than you use, excess energy can be stored in batteries or, in some places, exported back to the grid.

Yes, a properly sized solar system can run your whole house, including lights and appliances. Whether it runs all high-power loads (like geysers or ovens) depends on system size, battery capacity, and your energy usage patterns. Systems can be expanded over time.

Solar can significantly reduce your electricity bills, especially if you use most of your solar energy directly and shift high-use appliances to daylight hours. Savings vary by energy use, system size, and electricity tariffs. Some guides report typical bill reductions of 30–70% or more..

If you have a battery backup or a hybrid system, yes – your home can continue to have power during load shedding because the batteries store solar energy to use when the grid is off. Without batteries, grid-tied solar systems usually shut down during outages for safety reasons.

Solar panels typically last 25 – 30 years or more, with performance warranties often guaranteeing at least about 80% of original output after 25 years.

What is a heat pump and how does it work?

A heat pump is a device that heats water (or air) by moving heat from one place to another, instead of creating heat directly. For water heating, it takes heat from the surrounding air and transfers it to water in the tank using a refrigerant cycle (like a refrigerator but in reverse)

Heat pumps are much more efficient than traditional electric geysers. For a typical home, a 200 L heat pump might use about 100-150 kWh of electricity per month, costing roughly R200-R350 depending on your electricity rate. That’s significantly less than a standard electric geyser..

For many households, yes. Heat pumps cost more upfront but usually save 70–80% on water heating costs compared to electric geysers. Over time, this leads to significant savings. However, if you already have solar panels or live in a sunny area, a solar geyser might still be worthwhile.

Yes – modern heat pumps work even in colder temperatures (down to around −5 °C), though they’re slightly less efficient when it’s very cold. In many South African climates, they still save money year-round.

Typical lifespan is about 10–15 years, and a well-maintained unit might even last longer (sometimes up to 20 years depending on the model)..

What is a water backup system and how does it work?

A water backup system stores water in a tank so that you still have water during municipal supply interruptions or outages. When the main supply fails, the stored water is pumped into your home so taps, toilets and appliances keep working.

A water pressure pump (sometimes called a booster pump) takes water from a tank, borehole or supply source and boosts its pressure so it flows strongly to taps and showers. It senses a drop in pressure (like when you open a tap) and switches on to maintain steady flow.

The right pump depends on how many people use water, flow rate needed (how much water per minute), and how many outlets you want to run at once. Small homes might need a basic pump (e.g., 30–50 L/min), while larger homes or multiple outlets running together need a bigger pump. Experts often size systems based on these needs.

Yes – water pumps are commonly connected to JoJo or other water storage tanks to provide pressurized water from the tank into the house. A pressure pump and pressure controller will sense when water is needed and automatically pump it at the right pressure.

Yes – to keep them running well, pumps should be checked and serviced regularly (filters cleaned, seals checked, leaks fixed). Regular maintenance helps them run longer and more reliably.