Smarter homes, stronger grid: Vodacom Business, Ariston & Sensor Networks unite to decrease monthly energy bills in SA homes & improve grid stability

Cape Town, South Africa – Vodacom Business, Sensor Networks, and Ariston are proud to announce a strategic partnership that brings proven 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, already powering Sensor Networks’ smart devices in homes across the country. By combining Sensor Networks’ innovation in smart appliance technology with Ariston’s global expertise in water heating, the partnership enables intelligent control of one of the most energy-intensive appliances in the home: the geyser.

“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 Mark Allewell, founder and CEO at Sensor Networks.

“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”.

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 per month in electricity costs. This equates to approximately 50,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity saved each day - roughly 1,500 megawatt-hours (MWh) per month and over 18 gigawatt-hours (GWh) per year.

At an average electricity price of R3 per kilowatt-hour, these savings translate into nearly R55 million a year in reduced energy costs for consumers.

Sensor Networks, South Africa’s leading manufacturer of connected geyser devices and home energy management solutions, first partnered with Ariston, one of the world’s largest geyser manufacturers, 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 long-standing connectivity partner to Sensor Networks. Leveraging their Global Data Service Platform (GDPS) connectivity and extensive 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.

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.

“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,” says Wayne Vertue, Country Manager at Ariston SA. “With full control via smartphone - scheduling, temperature settings, and remote switching - South Africans can start saving from day one.”

Malcolm Subramony , Executive Head of Department, IoT Connectivity at Vodacom Business, adds: “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.”

In South Africa, geysers are not only among the highest consumers of household electricity - they’re also one of the most frequent sources of insurance claims, often resulting in costly water damage. Connected geyser technology addresses both challenges. 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. 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.

“The rapid rollout of home energy management technology offers a practical, scalable solution to South Africa’s energy demands,” concluded Subramony. “By giving households real control over how and when they consume electricity, platforms like Sensor Networks are helping to stabilise the grid, reduce pressure during peak times, and bridge the gap while broader structural reforms take effect.”