Vodacom Business, Sensor Networks and Ariston have announced a strategic partnership to bring smart geyser technology to the forefront of South Africa’s efforts to improve stability of the national electricity grid and reduce household energy consumption.

This collaboration builds on Vodacom’s nationwide connectivity, which is already powering Sensor Networks’ smart devices in homes across the country, Sensor Network says in a statement.

By combining Sensor Networks’ work in smart appliance technology with Ariston’s global expertise in water heating, the partnership aims to enable intelligent control of geysers, which Sensor Networks says are energy intensive.

Sensor Networks, a South African manufacturer of connected geyser devices and home energy management solutions, first partnered with geyser manufacturer Ariston to distribute select Ariston geysers bundled with Sensor Networks’ smart technology through major retailers across South Africa.

The partnership has now formally expanded to include Vodacom Business, a longstanding connectivity partner to Sensor Networks.

Leveraging its global data service platform connectivity and network infrastructure, Vodacom Business provides the secure, scalable backbone required to ensure uninterrupted access to smart geysers – whether installed inside ceiling cavities, behind walls or in remote areas, Sensor Networks points out.

As Sensor Networks prepares to roll out its energy management platform across the African continent, Vodacom’s network scale and reliability will be critical to delivering seamless, continent-wide control and connectivity.

“Geyser technology is evolving to meet the energy challenges South African households face. With a connected controller installed on the geyser, homeowners can manage hot water heating directly from their smartphone: switching it on or off, adjusting temperatures, and setting advanced schedules with multiple time and temperature blocks throughout the day,” says Sensor Networks founder and CEO Mark Allewell.

“This level of control not only supports solar integration and energy efficiency, but also positions households to benefit from time-of-use tariffs as they’re introduced in future, reducing costs and easing demand on the national grid,” he adds.

Through an installed fleet of over 12 000 smart geysers with Sensor Networks technology, average data indicates that large households are saving on average over R400 a month in electricity costs, the company says.

This equates to about 50 000 kWh/d of electricity saved – roughly 1 500 MWh a month and over 18 GWh/y, it adds. 

At an average electricity price of R3/kWh, these savings translate into nearly R55-million a year in reduced energy costs for consumers, Sensor Network highlights.

“While alternatives like solar and gas geysers can be expensive and take years to pay off, connected geyser technology offers a more accessible and immediate way for households to cut energy costs.

“With full control via smartphone – scheduling, temperature settings, and remote switching – South Africans can start saving from day one, Ariston SA country manager Wayne Vertue avers.

“If this technology were adopted at scale across the country, the impact could be enormous. It would take real pressure off the grid, and do so at a fraction of the cost of building new power infrastructure. This is a proven, home-grown solution that delivers results,” Vodacom Business IoT Connectivity executive head Malcolm Subramony says.

Sensor Network points out that geysers in South Africa are also one of the most frequent sources of insurance claims, often resulting in costly water damage, and that connected geyser technology also aims to address this challenge. 

“Proven through years of deployment with leading insurers, Sensor Networks’ solution detects early signs of failure – such as leaks, pressure build-up, or overheating – and automatically shuts the geyser down before damage occurs. This reduces claims, lowers insurer payouts, and improves customer experience,” the company posits.

As part of this broader role, Sensor Networks will be rolling out additional sensors through its energy management platform to fully automate and optimise energy use across the home.