Let’s face it; it’s pretty chilly in South Africa at the moment. With load shedding breathing down our necks and the frosty temperatures outside, your geyser may need a little extra help to ensure you can enjoy a piping hot shower at the end of a long day. That’s where a geyser blanket comes in.

Not only can they help keep the water in your geyser hotter for longer, but they can also help save electricity and so much more! In this blog post, we will explain what a geyser blanket is, its benefits and answer your most searched questions about geyser blankets.


Geyser Blanket - Hot Shower

Geyser Blankets: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a geyser blanket, and what does it do?

A geyser blanket is an insulating cover or wrap for your water heater or geyser. Its main job is to minimise heat loss, thereby helping your geyser operate more efficiently. Think of it as a warm coat that will help keep your geyser insulated from the cold weather. Most geyser blankets available have a layer of insulation between 50mm-135mm thick, but we recommend at least 100mm thick to ensure optimal insulation.

Do geyser blankets really work?

You may be wondering, does a geyser blanket save electricity, and are they worth the investment? A test conducted by Power Saving confirmed their effectiveness. The experiment was performed on an older model Sadia 3Kw geyser with a capacity of 136 litres. The hot water from the geyser was used solely for two daily showers, one in the morning and another in the evening, with no other usage of hot water throughout the test duration. After the completion of the first week, a geyser blanket was fitted so they could compare the energy consumption before and after installation.

The test found a 23% reduction in electricity usage to heat water and a 40% reduction in the time between heating events. Proving that they can save a significant amount of electricity, are with the investment and effort they take to install.

Geyser Blanket - Electricity Saver

What are geyser blankets made of?

The material of your geyser blanket will depend on the manufacturer and individual products. Geyser blankets are typically made of the following materials:

  • Fibreglass: Fiberglass is a widely used insulating material. It consists of thin fibres of glass that trap air, providing excellent thermal resistance.
  • Foam: Polyurethane foam or other types of foam can be used. Foam has good insulating properties due to its low thermal conductivity.
  • Isotherm: Polyester-based insulation is another option, providing both thermal efficiency and durability.
  • Foil: Many incorporate a reflective foil layer to enhance heat retention by reflecting radiant heat back towards the cylinder.
Foil Blanket

If you have a geyser mounted on the outside of your home, you need to purchase an outdoor geyser blanket that has a foil layer covering the insulation material. This will protect the internal materials from the elements. We recommend the Kwikot geyser blanket in this instance.

Where to buy a geyser blanket

If you are looking for a geyser blanket in Cape Town, you can purchase one online through Takealot. You can also buy a geyser blanket at Builders or check your local hardware store.

How much does a geyser blanket cost?

Your geyser blanket price will depend on what size you purchase, the product specifications and the manufacturer geyser. A geyser blanket for sale online typically costs as little as R250.

5 Benefits of Using A Geyser Blanket

Now that you know what a geyser blanket is and how it works, here are 5 benefits of using them in your home:

1. A geyser blanket helps maintain a consistent water temperature

Geyser blankets help to maintain a more consistent water temperature throughout the day as they slow down heat transfer from the geyser. Geysers lose approximately 1 degree of heat every hour due to heat loss, depending on where your geyser is located in your home. When this happens, your geyser needs to switch the element back on to maintain the water temperature. 

During load shedding, your geyser can’t maintain the water temperature, and the water cools quickly, especially if your geyser is mounted on the outside of your home. A geyser insulation blanket can help reduce heat loss, meaning you can enjoy a warm shower even when the electricity supply is low or off for extended periods of time.

2. Improves energy efficiency

Depending on your usage, the location of your geyser and how many people live in your home, your geyser could account for up to 40% of your electricity consumption. Geyser blankets help to conserve energy by minimising heat loss and ensuring that your geyser doesn’t have to work too hard. This helps to reduce electricity costs as the geyser isn’t running for longer periods of time. Experts estimate that a geyser blanket can help you save between 10-20% on your hot water bill.

3. A geyser blanket can extend the life of your geyser

Because geyser blankets help maintain the water temperature within your geyser, the heating element undergoes less stress as it’s not constantly switching on and off to maintain the desired temperature. This reduced strain helps prevent premature wear and tear on both the heating element and other components of your geyser. Over time, this can significantly extend the lifespan of your geyser, potentially saving you money on costly repairs.

4. Helps you save money

As we mentioned above, investing in a geyser blanket can help you save a significant amount of money on your electricity bill. During load shedding, your geyser may be off for extended periods of time, but a geyser blanket can keep the water hotter for longer. Once the electricity returns, the water should still be warm, meaning your geyser doesn’t need to heat up cold water and use copious amounts of electricity to get the water back up to temperature.

Geyser Blankets - Saving Money

5. Geyser blankets are easy to install

Geyser blankets are relatively straightforward and easy to install. They come with all the necessary equipment for installation, such as insulation tape and fixing straps, which makes it easier for you to install them yourself without the help of a professional. However, if you do not feel confident installing it yourself or you are unsure which geyser blanket to buy, our team of friendly plumbers at Absolute Plumbing is always happy to provide assistance.

How To Install a Geyser Blanket: A Step-By-Step Guide

Installation may differ slightly depending on the type of blanket you purchase, but we have put together a general guide on how to install your geyser blanket. It is important to note that most isotherm blankets can cover a 150l geyser and a 200l geyser. But be sure to check the size of your geyser and ensure the blanket your purchase can comfortably cover it.

Step 1: Turn off your geyser.

Step 2: Collect the items you will need to install your geyser blanket. This includes the adhesive tape, scissors, measuring tape and a ladder.

Step 3:  If you have bought an isotherm geyser blanket, cut your it into 1.5m x 1.5m for a 150l geyser and 1.7 x 1.5m for a 200l geyser.

Step 4: Cut a strip 480mm wide and then cut it in half. These pieces will cover the ends of the geyser.

Step 5: Cut two 10cm strips that you will use to cover the inlet and outlet pipe.

Step 6: Take all your isotherm pieces and equipment to your geyser. If your geyser is in the roof, only stand on roof trusses and never on thin beams or ceiling boards. Failure to do so could lead to injury or damage to your ceiling.

Step 7: Wrap the largest piece around the geyser. Secure in the middle with your adhesive tape.

Step 8: Cover each end of your geyser with 480mm wide strips. Tuck them under the larger piece of the blanket but don’t tape them down so you can still gain access to your geyser and thermostat.

Step 9: Wrap two more strips of tape on each end of the geyser blanket to help keep the end pieces in place.Step 10: Use the final two strips and wrap them around the inlet and outlet pipes of your geyser. Secure them in place with tape.

Absolute Plumbing: Geyser Installation, Repairs & More

Installing a geyser blanket is an easy DIY job. However, if you would prefer to have it professionally installed, our team of local plumbers at Absolute Plumbing can help. We provide a wide variety of plumbing services in Cape Town, including geyser installation, repairs and maintenance. 

With over a decade of experience, our team of plumbers in Cape Town can also assist with leak detection, pipe relining, bathroom renovations, CCTV drain camera inspections, drain cleaning and more. We pride ourselves on providing friendly, affordable and professional plumbing services while never compromising on quality workmanship.

Recommended: Geyser FAQ: Everything You Need To Know

Geyser Roof

Geyser Blankets: Final Thoughts

Installing a geyser blanket is an easy and cost-effective way to make to extend the life of your geyser. With its ability to reduce heat loss, conserve energy and save you money on your electricity bill, investing in one for your geyser is certainly worth considering. 

To ensure that your geyser blanket is installed correctly and safely, feel free to contact Absolute Plumbing. No need to continue searching for ‘plumbers near me’ or ‘plumbing companies in Cape Town’ online; Absolute Plumbing is just a phone call away. 

For more information on our plumbing services in Cape Town or installing a geyser blanket, please don’t hesitate to contact us through our website or call 084 872 2758.