Winter is here and water heater usage is at its peak. Recently, my friend asked me for advice for choosing between an instant geyser or a storage geyser. I thought I should share my experience with you. I would like to highlight that each of those geyser come with its own set of advantages and drawbacks based on personal needs and preferences.
What is an instant water heater?
Well, as the name suggests, this device delivers hot water almost immediately. Typically, these geysers come with minimal storage capacity, usually ranging from 1 to 3 liters. Anything exceeding 3 liters is considered a storage geyser. Given their ability to heat water instantly, they often have a higher wattage ranging from 3 to 4.5 KW.
How much time does it takes to heat water?
During the winter months in India, temperatures can range from 4°C to 21°C. Water below 4°C can freeze and might struggle to flow through pipes easily. Under ideal circumstances, aiming for an optimum temperature of around 40°C and reaching a maximum of 60°C is considered.
When starting with water at approximately 15°C, the instant heater typically requires around 2 minutes to raise the temperature to 60°C and approximately 1 minute to reach 40°C. However, if the initial water temperature is higher, around 21°C, it won’t take more than 20 seconds to heat the water.
Water Flow Rate:
This feature plays a crucial role as it directly affects the heat quality based on the water flow rate from your taps. Typically, standard taps have a flow rate of about 3 liters per minute, while showers have a higher rate of around 8 liters per minute. If you’re using a 3-liter instant geyser, the water heats up rapidly as the tank empties. However, when using showers with their higher flow rates, the water might not reach the desired temperature for bathing. This scenario works well in cities with an input water temperature of around 21°C. In colder cities, there might not be a continuous flow of hot water, requiring you to wait for a while. This situation, especially on chilly mornings inside a damp bathroom, can be discouraging even for the most resilient individuals.
Where are instant water heaters applied?
As I previously mentioned, these geysers are particularly useful in areas like kitchens and washbasins where water consumption is minimal. If considering their use in bathrooms, they might suffice if you reside in southern India due to the higher input water temperature typically around 20°C. Otherwise, opting for storage water heaters is often more advantageous.
Disadvantage of instant water heaters:
The storage geysers typically operate at 2 KW of power. When heating 15 liters of water, both types of geysers consume an equal amount of power. The distinction lies in the time taken; instant geysers heat water faster but impose a heavier load on the system.
Let’s take Delhi as an example. During peak hours from 7 am to 9 am, most people take baths. If every household relied on instant geysers, it would strain the main power grid, potentially causing grid failures.
On the other hand, storage geysers distribute the power consumption more evenly over a longer duration, preventing sudden spikes in demand. This balances the load on the system. With instant geysers, although the initial costs might be lower, the fixed costs can rise. Therefore, while you may save money initially, it could result in higher fixed expenses in the long term.
Comparison between Instant Geysers and Storage Water Heaters:
Size – I absolutely like how instant geysers are compact, fitting easily into small spaces like kitchen counters, washbasins, and bathrooms. This is due to their maximum capacity of 3L. In contrast, storage geysers, being larger, take up more space on bathroom walls.
Installation – As instant geysers are light, they are relatively easy to install. I would mention that handling storage geysers can be more challenging due to their bulkier size.
Capacity – Instant geysers typically have a maximum capacity of 3L or offer tankless options. So don’t go for it if you want more. In contrast, storage water heaters vary in size, ranging from 6L to 100L, with domestic use geysers typically having capacities between 15L to 35L.
Lifespan – Instant geysers generally require less maintenance due to their limited water storage, reducing the chances of corrosion. The good thing is that modern advancements in heating elements have also enhanced their durability. Storage geysers may require more maintenance, but advancements like corrosion-resistant technologies and improved inner tank quality have extended their lifespan. You can also get extended warranties on them.
Innovations – Water heater manufacturers have introduced smart technologies, such as app compatibility, voice-controlled systems, LED lighting, and more, enhancing user convenience.
Multi-point usage – Storage geysers can provide hot water to multiple areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and washbasins, requiring additional plumbing. In contrast, instant geysers, due to their lower water supply, are not suitable for multi-point usage.
Safety – Both instant and storage water heaters are equipped with safety features like pressure release valves, thermostats, PUF insulation (in storage geysers), and circuit breakers, ensuring safety during use.
Pricing – Instant water heaters are generally more cost-effective compared to storage geysers.
Final thoughts:
So if you want a water heater for a small place, then you can go for instant water heaters. The major downside is if your place goes to a lower temperature in winter, then instant won’t be a better choice because it will increase your electricity bill. Storage heaters are good for large families and if you have a good enough space.
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My sister buy instant geyser but water come hot only little time then again need wait so i not understand if it good for bath because in winter i want full bucket hot water she say storage geyser better for that but take more time and electricity so i confuse which one save more electricity in long time if instant keep running or storage heat once and use later also do storage geyser keep water hot long time or it get cold fast
Instant geysers heat water only when you turn them on, so they don’t store hot water, but that also means if you need a full bucket, you’ll have to wait between refills. Storage geysers, on the other hand, keep water hot for longer, and modern ones come with good insulation, so the heat loss is minimal for a few hours. If your priority is quick showers or washing utensils, an instant geyser works well. But if you want continuous hot water for bucket baths, then a storage geyser is a better choice. About electricity- storage geysers consume power while heating, but once the water is hot, they stop using energy until it cools down. Instant geysers only use power when running, but since they don’t store water, they keep consuming electricity for longer usage.