Schoolboys invent low-cost water heater

USING material that costs less than US$50, five boys from Jameson High School in Kadoma have teamed up to invent a water heater that was exhibited at the just-ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo.

The low-cost water heater that uses solar energy proved to be a hit at the ZITF with exhibitors jostling to view it at the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development stand.

Members of the public were also excited to view the water heater made from basic materials such as aluminum foil, copper pipes, and a 20-litre bucket of water.

King Mswati III of Eswatini officially opened the ZITF on Friday. The boys that invented the water heater are between the ages of 15 and 18, according to their mentor Mr Tapera Chibaira, a lab assistant at Jameson High School.

“The boys first came to me with an idea of making a water heater that their parents can afford and one that doesn’t use electricity like the conventional electric geysers that are expensive. The cheaper option that I advised them to explore was solar energy and I explained to them that the world is moving towards green energy as the use of fossil fuel is causing a lot of pollution.

“The boys understood that as a country we also need to play our part in fighting climate change so they decided to work around solar energy for their project,” Mr Chibaira explained to Chronicle.

A demonstration on how the water heater operates showed that cold water flows from a 20-litre bucket into a network of copper pipes and is heated instantly.

Mr Chibaira explained that the boys spent less than US$50 to buy material for the water heater.

“As you can see, the materials that the boys used are just basic stuff that we see every day such as aluminum foil, copper pipes and glass.

“I just guided them through the whole process and they were hands-on from the onset until the project was complete,” he said.

“We are so proud as a school that the work of our students is being exhibited here at the ZITF. Unfortunately, the boys are not here to explain for themselves what inspired them to come up with the idea of a water heater,” he said.

Mrs Liona Mushonga who was at the ZITF was left in awe when Mr Chibaira explained to her that the water heater is the work of five teenagers.

“If only President Mnangagwa could be shown this invention when he comes to Bulawayo.

“These boys deserve scholarships to further their studies in science and technology. This is brilliant,” said Mrs Mushonga.