Going off the (electricity and water) grid is too much of mission and the costs don’t justify it.
And I hate it that I just said that, so I’m committing to re-looking at it.
Last time I looked at solar water heating (meant to be the no-brainer) the cost was so much higher than Eskom that I hesitated. Then they told me the system would likely only last for 5 or 6 years and so I did what I do well: procrastinated.
It also turned out to be more technical and complicated than I thought. People who have done it always say “Ag it was nuthing! I just did this and that”. Not true! Here’s a pic that demonstrates this – Proud Brian B of Tokai with his system (admittedly a borehole, not just roofwater):
Holy guacamole, this is NOT for me! I will start off with catching rainwater off my roof. Then I’ll tiptoe on to investigating solar water heating. After that we’ll see. And I’ll report in unvarnished fashion with no hidden costs.
Watch this space! (But don’t hold your breath).
Update: I fitted two solar geysers, one for the main house, one for the cottage; and I bought a bigger Jojo tank than Brian’s. But I sold in 2021 and moved before catching roofwater for the big Jojo.
~~oo0oo~~
2025: Now I’m off the grid. My new home runs on solar power; I have water tanks for when municipal water fails; water heating is currently by gas geyser – lpg, so changing that to solar is next.