Geyser Buyer Guide | ShopClues.com

Geyser Buyer Guide

Getting hot water when you want it makes bath time something to look forward to. Washing utensils can seem less of a chore too. Install the geyser of your choice where you want it, be it in the bathroom or the kitchen, and enjoy everything it has to offer.
Geyser

Types of Geysers

Geysers come in several types to cater to different needs. Learn what they are and why making the right choice matters.

Storage Geyser

Also called a tank water heater, a storage geyser is a popular choice because it does more than heat water; it stores it too. Cold water comes in at the bottom of the tank while the top heats, ready for use. Once the hot water is used up, the heater must be turned on again. Since storage geysers lose heat over time, the water needs to be used during this window period. The water heating limit is usually set at 60 or 75 degrees Celsius.

Safety measure: The body of a storage geyser can heat up significantly so make sure you don’t touch it. Rely on the LED indicator instead.

Pros:

Low upfront cost
Can be installed anywhere
Easy installation and replacement
Can store a large amount of water

Cons:

Loses heat
Tank is bulky and heavy
Can run out of hot water
If left on, needs to use power periodically to keep temperature consistent

Select Storage Geyser

Storage Geyser

Instant Geyser

Whereas a storage geyser stores hot water in a tank, an instant geyser/on-demand geyser/tankless geyser heats water as and when you need it. Such geysers rely on a heat source to heat water as it circulates through a pipe. This heat source may be gas or electricity. When you turn on a tap to let the water out, the heat source is switched off.

Safety measure: Ensure that there’s a sufficient flow of water to the geyser when the tap is turned off otherwise the heating coil can burn.

Pros:

Limitless hot water (in smaller amounts)
Lasts longer than storage geysers
Compact
Saves energy as water is not heated if not needed

Cons:

High upfront cost
Complicated installation
No hot water is stored in case of no power and no gas
Some instant geysers have a minimum flow rate and won’t run at lower flow rates

Select Instant Geyser

Instant Geyser

Gas Geyser

A gas geyser uses gas to fire up a burner that heats water. Since combustion creates potentially dangerous by-products like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, they are released outdoors.

Safety measure: Install gas geysers in areas that are properly ventilated. Not doing so can lead to a build-up of dangerous carbon monoxide fumes that can suffocate and asphyxiate.

Pros:

Gas geysers don’t need much energy to maintain water temperature
They’re fairly inexpensive to run in the long term
They heat water faster than electric geysers

Cons:

Gas geysers with electric ignitions need electricity to function. No power means no heat
They have higher upfront costs
Access to gas is required

Select Gas Geyser

Gas Geyser

Immersion Rod

An immersion rod is a simple piece of equipment that’s widely used. It consists of a coiled rod that heats water when it’s immersed into it. Inexpensive and easy to replace, the portable device can only heat water in containers like buckets, which means you don’t get hot running water. Immersion rods come in several sizes. Mini models are small enough to place into kettles and mugs to heat water for beverages. Standard sizes, meanwhile, are designed to heat water in buckets. Wattage ranges from a low 500W to a much higher 2000W.

Safety measure: Don’t stick your hand into a kettle/mug/bucket that has an immersion rod inside when it’s turned on. You can get electrocuted.

Pros:

Portable
No installation required as it’s not connected to a plumbing system
Inexpensive and easily replaceable

Cons:

No power means no hot water
Can’t be used for showers and taps since it’s a standalone device
Doesn’t heat large quantities of water at a time

Select Immersion Rod

Immersion Rod

Below 30 Ltr

If you live alone or don’t use a lot of hot water, a low-capacity geyser below 3 litres is ideal.

Select Below 30 Ltr

Below 30 Ltr

31 Ltr – 50 Ltr

Households that use showers will need geysers with a higher capacity especially if there are more than 3 members in the family. A 31-50-litre geyser is recommended.

Select 31 Ltr – 50 Ltr

31 Ltr – 50 Ltr

51 Ltr – 70 Ltr

If you’re unsure whether to get a medium or large capacity geyser, one that falls within the 51-70-litre range may serve your needs well.

Select 51 Ltr – 70 Ltr

51 Ltr – 70 Ltr

Above 70 Ltr

Large families require more hot water in which a big 70-litre- or more capacity geyser will suffice.

Select Above 70 Ltr

Above 70 Ltr

Key Features

Energy consumption: While larger capacity geysers will undoubtedly use more power, it’s still important to look for energy-efficient models. Geysers that carry a 5-star or 4-star energy rating are good choices as they make efficient use of power.
Auto-off: An off-times overlooked feature, auto-off turns off a geyser after a time in case you forget to. This saves energy and also minimises danger that can be caused by the heater burning out.
LED indicator: Though most models have it, make sure you get a geyser with an LED indictor that shows when water is cold or hot.
Stand-by time: A geyser that can go from stand-by mode to on and vice versa quickly is very convenient. A very long stand-by time will only result in more heat loss.
Longevity: Instant geysers last longer than storage geysers by a good 5 to 10 years. However, if budget is limited and easy replacement is a priority, it makes sense to go for a storage geyser.
Space and style: Bathroom size can influence what type, size and style of geyser to get. If appearance is important, you’ll want to choose a geyser that goes with the décor of your bathroom. If the bathroom is small, you’ll have to pick a compact geyser to save space. Weigh your options carefully before settling on any one geyser to avoid dissatisfaction later.
Good after-sales service: Geysers will need to be repaired or replaced at some point in time. It’s essential, therefore, that the brand you pick offers good after-sales service.

Important Tips

Don’t set your geyser to the maximum temperature. You don’t need that much heat! Doing so may also cause scalding. The elderly, infirmed, and children are the most at risk of burns.
Test the pressure relief valve of your geyser every six months to prevent dangerous build-up of pressure. Raise and lower the pressure test lever to let hot water gush out of the drain pipe. If it doesn’t, it’s time for a replacement valve.
All geysers and immersion rods need a certain amount of water in order to operate safely. Never use them if the level is below minimum as it will cause heating elements to burn.
Try to use cold water for certain jobs. Relying solely on hot water means you’ll rack up high energy bills.
Try to avoid using hot running water for washing dishes. Instead, fill up a basin with hot water, wash small utensils first, and large pots and pans at the last to keep water from getting soiled too soon.
Bucket baths use far less water than showers.