Why Government May Ban Hot Showers From Kenyan Homes

Why Gov't May Ban Hot Showers From Kenyan Homes

Mumbi Mutuko

December 21, 2018 8:38 AM

Banning hot shower heads

Instant hot shower head

A consultant hired by the Ministry of Energy to develop an energy efficiency plan for the country recommended the ban of importation and sale of instant hot shower heads locally.

If the state adopts the report, Kenyans might have to get used to cold showers or adopt more costly options like use of electric boilers and solar water heaters.

The consultant, Germany’s Lahmeyer International, noted that the water heaters presented difficulties for electricity generation and transmission.

Power Loss

Additionally, the company noted that there was a high level of power losses due to a sudden spike in power demand that only lasted a short duration.

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The reports from Lahmeyer International stated: “Instantaneous water heaters are noxious for the generation, transmission and the distribution networks as they concentrate high power demand at the same periods. By doing so, they generate high losses, voltage drops and call for expensive generation means.”

Lahmeyer International was contracted by the Ministry in 2013 to draft an Energy Efficiency Master-plan.

If all Kenyans would switch on their instant hot showers at the same time there is a strain to the power generation and distribution systems, the report noted.

High Cost

Lahmeyer also noted that the high cost of alternatives to instantaneous water heaters would hurt many Kenyans, whose incomes might not support the installations of other water heaters.

“The alternative solutions are expensive or inaccessible for the low-income customers, for example, solar water heaters, geysers, gas heaters,” the report by the German firm stated.

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The firm also recommended that the Government considers giving incentives to those who import electric boilers and solar water heaters to make them affordable for local buyers.

Mumbi Mutuko