Plumbing Africa March 2020 | Page 53

TECHNICAL 51 TECHNICAL 51 B-rated water heaters Edited by Eamonn Ryan The following is a Tech Talk presented by Adriaan Myburgh on B-rated geysers – a term that has been abused or misinterpreted. It is a legal requirement in terms of VC 9006 that all geysers must have an energy efficiency rating of at least class B. It is also a requirement in terms of VC 9006 that all geysers must have a LOA issued by NRCS. Only some geyser suppliers currently offer geysers that comply with the class B requirement and/or a LOA. A sales permit may be issued by the NRCS. In layman’s terms a sales permit can be regarded as a LOA. 6.6 Standing loss 6.6.1 Standard and heat pump water heaters The standing loss per 24 hours, determined in accordance with 7.4.3 shall not exceed the values given in columns 2, 3 or 4 (as relevant) of table 3, appropriate to the nominal capacity of the water container given in column 1, or the value marked on the water heater (see 8.1.1 (e)) whichever is the lower, or obtained by interpolating between the two values on either side of the marked rate capacity. 6.6.2 Solar (without solar collector) water heater The standing loss per 24 hours, determined in accordance with 7.4.3 shall not exceed 75% of the value given in column 2, 3 or 4 of Table 3 (or obtained by interpolating between the two values on either side) of the marked capacity of the water container in column 1 or the valuer marked on the water heater (see 8.1.1 (e)). Should the installation be regarded as compliant if a geyser without class (without NRCS or a sales permit) is installed? What documentary evidence should be provided to the auditor or inspector to verify the validity? The most important documentation is the SANS 151 – the standard that geysers get tested – to be awarded the Mark or to be listed as complying. SANS 151 March 2020 Volume 26 I Number 01 www.plumbingafrica.co.za www.plumbingafrica.co.za