Choosing the Right Geyser for Your Home: A Comprehensive Guide

The climate over the years has experienced unprecedented changes, which make people prone to several illnesses. The susceptibility to these seasonal diseases emphasizes the need for easy availability of warm water at your disposal. Moreover, looking at the chilly winter season in most parts of India, geysers or water heaters are necessary in Indian households. They are an effective solution, especially during winter to meet your need for hot water in washrooms and kitchens. This makes geysers a very important appliance of your house without which life becomes difficult.

Unlike the traditional methods of heating water, Geysers use advanced technology to provide a continuous supply of hot water in your house for different requirements. However, when it comes to choosing the best geyser for your home, there are several brands and options in the market making your choice a daunting task.

Hence, you need a guide to navigate through the diverse selections available in terms of features, usability, your particular needs, and budget. Let us discuss the guidelines for choosing the right geyser brand in India to help you pick the best one for your home.

Why are Geysers/Electric Heaters Important for Indian Homes?

Modern electric water heaters are not just economical but are energy efficient too. They consume less energy to heat water and thus save on your utility bills. Moreover,

How do Geysers Function?

A geyser works with three key components including the thermostat, the tank where water is stored, and the heating element to heat water using a basic technique. When you switch the geyser on, the heating element gets activated by the thermostat and starts heating the water. The heating element through which the current travels is electrical resistance and is located in the center of the tank. The thermostat regulates the flow of power and sets the temperature of the water. When the water reaches the desired level of temperature, the heating element stops heating the water.

However, if you do not switch the geyser off, the temperature of the water drops in a few hours to a specific degree, and the heating process restarts. This continues unless you switch off the device. Thus, it is necessary to follow caution while using the geyser.

Type of Geysers Available in the Indian Market

Below are the popular geyser types available in the market:

1. Electric/Instant Geysers:
   As the name suggests, the instant water geysers heat water instantly and don’t need a storage tank to store the water. They are compact and allow you to use hot water instantly by simply switching the electric heater on. This feature makes them space-saving as well as energy-efficient. They are hence termed tankless water heaters that can fit into even the tiniest of bathrooms to supply the inmates with a hot and continuous supply of water. These geysers are energy-efficient and compact. The electric geysers operate with the help of a sensor inside the pipe of the heater that detects the flow of water and ignites the heating element to provide hot water. Most of these electric geysers come with an average capacity of 10 L. In terms of cost, they are more expensive as compared to the storage geysers. Moreover, due to the absence of a storage tank for water, these geysers have a longer lifespan as compared to their peers.
2. Storage Geysers:
   Storage geysers are the most popular type of geysers mostly used in Indian households. They run on electricity and can hold up to 100 L of water. Unlike electric water heaters, these machines comprise an integrated insulated storage tank to store water. These geysers are bulky and take up more space in your bathrooms. Hence, they are perfect for large-sized bathrooms.
   These water heaters come with a pressure valve which is mounted on an insulated tank that works as a storage geyser. The valve regulates the water pressure and temperature in the geyser. They can store large volumes of hot water for the suitability of users. In terms of geyser price, the storage geysers are less costly as compared to electric instant water heaters.
3. Gas Geysers:
   The gas geysers are again energy-efficient water heaters that run on LPG supplied through gas pipelines/cylinders. They can be used in residential as well as commercial spaces. The gas water heaters are more expensive initially at the time of purchase as compared to the rest of the two geysers mentioned above. However, in the long run, they are cost-effective and consume less energy as they take less time to heat water.
4. Solar Geysers:
   Solar geysersrun on solar/sun energy. They absorb heat from solar panels which are installed on roofs of houses. These geysers are safe for the environment. They work effectively during the summer season when the sun is at its peak. Also, you need an outdoor area or spacious terrace to install these solar panels for these heaters. These geysers are cost-effective and save money as well as are practical and sustainable. They operate with the help of a solar thermal collector that converts solar energy into heat. The heat that is produced, which is transmitted to the water tank, raises the temperature of the water.

How to Choose the Right Geysers/Water Heater for Your Home?

There are several things to consider while planning to buy electric heaters. You need to analyze the size of the water heater to match the size of your bathroom. Also, you need to ensure the technical features of the water heater so that it consumes less energy and serves more benefits in terms of maintenance and other costs.

Below are some factors to consider while choosing the right geyser for your home:

1. Capacity of the geyser – This is the first and the most crucial factor to consider while buying a water heater. The size of the appliance would depend on the size of your family and their hot water requirements. Depending on the family size and need you can opt for 1 - 5 litres of electric heaters or 6 – 25 litres and above capacity storage geysers.
2. Type of water supplied (hard/soft) – Hard water is considered to be a key reason that damages water heaters. They have a high level of calcium and magnesium in water making them hard and damaging the geyser by reducing its lifespan. The hard water is known to cause gradual scaling that affects geysers. Hence, it is recommended to choose the geyser as per the quality of the supplied water in your area. You may choose corrosion-resistant water tanks or may use a water softener to turn your hard water soft.
3. Energy efficiency - Looking at the energy-efficient factor is another major consideration at the time of buying a geyser. An energy-efficient geyser consumes less power to lower the cost of your electricity bills. Hence, it is a good idea to buy energy-efficient geysers. You may look for the energy star rating on the geyser to understand how energy-efficient the product is.
4. The Shape of Geyser – Most geysers are vertical in shape and require up to two feet of wall space to install. Besides, there are horizontally shaped geysers which are also gaining popularity to match the modern bathroom styles.
5. Wattage requirement – Depending on the geyser wattage, you can assume the time that the water heater would take to heat the water. If you want a heater that heats water quickly, you may opt for instant heaters that usehigh power (4.5KW) as compared to storage heaters that use a comparatively lower power (2 KW).
6. Reliable Brands – Always look for the most trustworthy and reliable brands while buying a geyser or any other electronic item. These water heaters are available with a warranty and are secure. They offer good after-sales customer services. Although you may get water heaters at cheap prices from unbranded manufacturers, it is better to stick to quality products for the safety of your family members. You can opt for Havells Geyser or any other reliable brand.

Besides the above, consider things like the price of the geysers and your budget, the structure of the building where you live, convenience, and versatility while choosing a geyser.

Easy Maintenance Tips to Reduce Electricity Consumption of Geysers

Here are some tips to help you install and maintain your geyser well:

• Always hire a professional technician to install your geyser
• Look for a suitable and spacious installation site with enough space
• Go for regular inspection for any signs of leaks, corrosion, etc.
• To avoid corrosion inside the water storage tank, check the anode rod and replace it if required
• Schedule regular maintenance with professional technicians to fix any fault
• Follow precautionary measures while using and maintaining the geyser
• Ensure safety and cut the risk of damage by switching the geyser off during emergencies

Conclusion

Geysers are popular home appliances that you generally find in most homes. They are affordable, easy to use, and efficient devices that serve the purpose of hot water in your home. It is important to understand your requirements to choose the best water geyser to serve your purpose of quick water heating.

Consider the factors mentioned above while choosing the best water heater to ensure energy efficiency, sustainability, and capacity. Also, buy geysers as per the size of the bathroom as well as the size of your family. You can buy geysers online or offline as per your suitability.