This work evaluates and analyses the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction potential of Solar Water Heaters (SWH) in Daveyton, in Ekurhuleni. As an energy intensive country, with its energy mix dominated by fossil-fuel energy sources, South Africa is among the largest emitters of GHGs globally. Consequently, the country made commitments to substantially reduce its carbon footprint from the energy sector, through renewable energy initiatives. A solar water heater programme was subsequently introduced as an initiative to reduce GHG emissions in the residential sector. Objectives of the study were to determine the amount of energy saved and GHG emission reduction through the installation of SWHs; to determine the efficiency and sufficiency of SWHs for the average family; and to determine the contribution of SWHs towards reduction of GHG emissions. These objectives were achieved by conducting a survey in low-income households that were piloted for the SWH installation programme in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni. The findings of the study suggested that a total saving of 89.74 kWh of energy per day and reduction of 63.1 kg of carbon dioxide (CO₂) equivalent were achieved through the SWH programme for the entire sample area per day. In conclusion, solar water heating in domestic sector of Ekurhuleni could potentially reduce reliance of households to fossil fuels, thus reducing GHG emissions.

这项工作评估和分析了Ekurhuleni的Daveyton的太阳能热水器（SWH）的温室气体（GHG）减排潜力。南非是一个能源密集型国家，其能源结构以化石燃料能源为主导，因此是全球最大的温室气体排放国之一。因此，该国做出了承诺，通过可再生能源计划，大幅减少了能源部门的碳足迹。随后提出了一项太阳能热水器计划，以减少居民部门的温室气体排放。该研究的目的是确定通过安装污水处理厂而节省的能源量和减少的温室气体排放量；确定普通家庭的SWH的效率和充足性；并确定SWH对减少温室气体排放的贡献。通过对在Ekurhuleni的Daveyton进行SWH安装计划试点的低收入家庭进行的一项调查，实现了这些目标。研究结果表明，每天总共可以节省89.74 kWh的能源，减少63.1 kg的二氧化碳（CO₂）通过SWH程序每天在整个样本区域实现了等效。总之，Ekurhuleni家庭部门的太阳能热水系统有可能减少家庭对化石燃料的依赖，从而减少温室气体排放。