By Rob Paddock
Rob_PaddockIn Paddocks Press articles, we are usually hesitant to promote any particular product or service. However, after my last article about geysers, I was flooded with emails from individuals who have had problems with their geysers and are looking for an alternative.

Based on this response, it seems evident that there is room for improvement in geyser design. After some investigation, we found a company that has made some substantial breakthroughs in geyser technology, and offer a product that we believe will benefit sectional title owners substantially. We’d like to introduce you to W.E. Geysers and their long-lasting, self-cleaning and maintenance-free “duratherm” geysers.

Please note that Paddocks has no commercial interest in this product.
There are several clever features in their design that make these geysers more durable and efficient, but for us, the most impressive part of their design is that there are no sacrificial anodes, and they come with a 10-year guarantee.

Here’s how it works:
Normal high-pressure geysers make use of an enamelled coating to protect the boiler from corrosion. Enamelling is in essence a thin layer of glass that is fused onto the surface of the steel at high temperature. This should prevent the water from coming into contact with the steel, but the system is imperfect. Thousands of pinholes and fissures are left in the coating, which means that water will come into contact with the steel. So, to prevent corrosion, a sacrificial anode is fitted to the boiler. This anode will sacrifice itself in lieu of the tank and this means that the sacrificial anode will corrode. It makes sense therefore to suggest that the anode should be replaced from time to time and the suggested period is usually around three years in ideal water conditions. In areas where the water is of a poor quality, double anodes might be suggested.
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Most home owners are oblivious to the fact that these anodes exist in the first place, and are far less aware of the fact that the anodes need to be replaced every few years. The result is that once the anode has had its day, the geyser itself will start to corrode and the geyser will burst.

The clever thing in the W.E. geyser design is that they are lined with a thick PEX lining (100 times thicker than enamel). This is a cross-linked polymer capable of withstanding high temperatures and is at the same time resistant to all chemicals and solvents present in the water. Most importantly, due to the flexibility, the imperviousness and the superior characteristics of the PEX, no sacrificial anode is required.

The result is that after the geyser has been installed, you can completely forget about it. The geyser is completely maintenance free and carries a 10-year guarantee.

As an added bonus, due to their superior insulation, duratherm geysers retain their heat for longer and therefore save electricity. At this point in time, they are the only geysers recommended for use by Eskom.

The average cost to supply and install a 150-litre W.E. Geyser currently is R5,244.00 (incl. VAT). For further information, visit www.duratherm.co.za

Article reference: Paddocks Press: Volume 5, Issue 10, Page 4

Rob Paddock is the operations director for Paddocks. For free sectional title advice go to www.sto.co.za.

This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution license