COP17 inspires local mechanic to complete eco-friendly geyser

A LOCAL mechanic’s idea to manufacture a bio eco-friendly geyser was motivated by the load shedding which began in 2008, but the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17) inspired him to complete his project.

Prithy (Batchu) Bhekarie, owner of RVN Motors workshop in Raven Street in the city centre said: “I was annoyed every time while watching television and enjoying whatever programme was on, when the lights would go out without any warning.

“During that time the television would show a warning about saving electricity by switching off geysers and other electrical appliances.

“That is when it hit me that as an experienced mechanic who has been running his workshop for 14 years I can contribute towards saving energy by creating a bio-eco friendly geyser which would be cost effective and also benefit indigent households,” said Bhekarie.

He said at R3,50 a day he manages to have hot water by using a bio-gel to heat the geyser.

“I am in the process of producing a bio-gel that would burn for longer, in collaboration with producers of environment-friendly gel. This can be used inside the house because it does not produce smoke,” he said.

Bhekarie said he is still trying to finalise patent rights for his Trisuv Econo-geyser. “I actually named it after my two sons,” he said.

He is determined to make this a household name as an appliance that is used by restaurants, workshops and those who do not have electricity, as well as those who want to save on electricity bills at the end of the month.

“My aim was to create accessible hot water for the people living in the rural areas and those living in RDP housing who cannot afford electrical geysers,” he said.

He said this was his contribution to help the government ease the electricity load and to reduce carbon footprints while people enjoy hot water.

“I have manufactured a 50 litre geyser, which can be used during cold days by applying bio-gel and during hot days by using installed solar energy to heat water and save the bio gel,” said Bhekarie.

Bhekarie said it takes just 30 minutes to heat the water.

“This works like a tea flask, when you put hot water in today, it would still be hot tomorrow because of the special insulator that I have put inside the geyser,” he said.