Guide · Costs
What an atmospheric water generator costs
The price of the machine, the electricity it uses for every litre, and what changes both. Worked out from the specifications of the Aetherion range.
Buying
What sets the price of the machine
We quote every system for its site, because the same litres a day can call for a very different installation. These are the things that move the price.
- Litres a day. The Aetherion range runs from 20 to 20,000 litres a day; the bigger the daily volume, the bigger the machine and its filtration.
- Power supply. The domestic units and the A100L run on single-phase power; from the A250L up the plants need a three-phase supply, which some sites have to add.
- Filtration and treatment. Every unit filters, sterilises with UV and mineralises the water; the larger plants carry several filter trains in parallel.
- Storage around it. Most sites store what the machine makes, so tanks, a germicidal UV tank lamp and tank monitoring are often part of the system.
- Installation and distance. A level base, power, plumbing to where the water is used, and delivery to the site.
Running
Electricity per 1,000 litres, model by model
An atmospheric water generator runs on electricity, so energy is the running cost to plan for. These figures come straight from each model’s published power and daily output: the power drawn, times 24 hours, divided by the litres made.
| Model | Litres a day | Power drawn | kWh a day at full output | kWh per 1,000 litres |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetherion A20L | 20 | 470 W | 11 | 564 |
| Aetherion A50L | 50 | 470 W | 11 | 226 |
| Aetherion A70L | 70 | 700 W | 17 | 240 |
| Aetherion A80L | 80 | 1.4 kW | 32 | 405 |
| Aetherion A100L | 100 | 1.3 kW | 32 | 319 |
| Aetherion A250L | 250 | 3.4 kW | 82 | 326 |
| Aetherion A500L | 500 | 6.3 kW | 151 | 302 |
| Aetherion A1000L | 1,000 | 12.3 kW | 295 | 295 |
| Aetherion A2000L | 2,000 | 24.6 kW | 590 | 295 |
| Aetherion A5000L | 5,000 | 64 kW | 1,536 | 307 |
| Aetherion A10000L | 10,000 | 128 kW | 3,072 | 307 |
| Aetherion A20000L | 20,000 | 256 kW | 6,144 | 307 |
At each model’s rated conditions (most at 30°C and 80% relative humidity). In cooler or drier air a machine makes less water for the same power, so the energy per litre goes up. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Planning
Working out your running cost
From the A100L up, the range uses roughly 300 to 330 kWh for every 1,000 litres at rated conditions. Multiply that by your electricity tariff to see what a kilolitre of drinking water costs you to make.
Then compare it with what you pay for the water it replaces: bottled water, water brought in by truck, or the cost of a site standing still when the supply fails. For drinking water those are usually the real alternatives, not the municipal tariff.
Solar changes the sum. Solar energy can power the units for off-grid operation, and a machine that makes most of its water in the warm, humid part of the day pairs well with panels.
- Size on the litres you drink and cook with, not your whole demand: most sites keep stored municipal or borehole water for everything else.
- Coastal and humid sites make more water per kWh than dry inland ones.
- Storage lets a machine run when power is cheapest or the sun is up, and still have water ready at night.
Your site
Ask for a running-cost estimate
Tell us where the machine will stand, how much drinking water you need a day and what you pay for electricity. We will size the system and work out what each kilolitre will cost you to make.
Questions
Costs: common questions
How much does an atmospheric water generator cost in South Africa?
It depends on the litres a day, the power supply at the site, and the storage and treatment around the machine, so we quote each system for its site. Send us your daily volume and location for a quote.
How much electricity does an atmospheric water generator use?
At rated conditions the Aetherion range uses about 300 to 330 kWh per 1,000 litres from the A100L up. The table on this page gives the figure for every model.
Can an atmospheric water generator run on solar power?
Yes. Solar energy can power the units, which allows off-grid operation. We size the panels and storage together with the machine.
Is water from the air cheaper than bottled water?
For drinking water it usually is: a kilolitre made on site costs its electricity plus upkeep, against a kilolitre of bottled or trucked water. Work it out with your own tariff and the table on this page, or ask us to.
What upkeep does an atmospheric water generator need?
The filters and the UV stage are replaced on a schedule, and the unit is kept clean and serviced. We set out the service plan with the quote.