With temperatures dropping below 10°C in most parts of the country in the months from December to February, merely washing the hands becomes an uncomfortable experience, leave alone taking a bath. The water feels like a thousand needles are trying to pierce your skin. In this cold season, a water geyser has become more of a need than a want or a luxury. However, people often fall for the marketing tricks of some sub par brands that offer these geysers and go onto invest in a poorly built product. So today, we'll discuss how to avoid that.
Now, if you are a frequent visitor to the posts on this blog, you might be probably aware that we take each topic from the grass root level and we will do the same with this post as well. We will begin with the basics of the working of a geyser. Next we'll take a look at the tactics of some brands to loot your hard earned money and then we'll take a look at the requirements a geyser must have that will ensure its durability. We'll finally conclude with some options available in the market that offer the most bang for the buck at variety of tank sizes.
You might be glad to know that my father works at a company that manufactures home and kitchen appliances like washing machines, water geysers, refrigerators, cooking appliances, kitchen chimneys etc. So, at home, we frequently have a conversation about these appliances, what goes into making them, how some brands try to cut manufacturing costs to increase their profit margin etc. Today, I will try my best to pass on the knowledge that I have acquired from my father over the years, to you so as to help you make a good buying decision.
(Image of a water geyser installed in the washroom)
THE BASICS
See, there is a very simple and basic principle behind the working of geysers. There is a heating element which warms the water and that warm water is stored in an insulated tank which is offered in various sizes. This is the simple functioning of any geyser of any brand.
Now, when it comes to deciding on a water geyser, one of the most crucial factors is deciding on the water storing capacity of its storage tank -
- Storage Tank Capacity
- For individual use, one would have one’s needs met by a water geyser that has a tank capacity of 1–5 litres. Geysers available in such capacities of storage tank are also called instant geysers.
- For a family consisting of two-three members, it would be wise to opt for a geyser with storage tank capacity of 6 litres.
- When four-five family members are to use the hot water obtained from water geyser, one would require a water geyser that has at least 10 litres of storage capacity, preferably 15 litres.
- If more than five members are to use the water geyser, a 25 litres tank capacity water geyser would make for a decent choice.
Now, having discussed about the storage tank capacities and which one should purchase a geyser with as per one's family size, let us proceed to gain insights on some essential specifications a water geyser must possess in order to provide reliable service over a long term.
ESSENTIAL SPECIFICATIONS
Having said that, before we go on to decide which is the geyser you should go for, we must understand what you must look for in a geyser.
- Energy Consumption - Using a geyser in your home can really take a toll on your savings, if it is not energy efficient. So always go for at least a 4 or 5 star rating appliance, not only in geysers but also in other categories of home appliances.
- Wattage - Now, here we do not need to go into technicalities of this term, for a layman wattage means how fast or how readily you can get hot water after the geyser has been turned ON. In my suggestion, always go for a higher watt geyser as it saves time as well as electricity.
- Additional Features -
a. Automatic thermal cut-off
b. Safety valve for pressure release
c. Adjustable thermostat settings
d. Rust-proof outer and inner body
Now, having gained knowledge of the essential specifications a water geyser should possess in order to perform reliably, let us proceed to understand how some companies that make water geysers resort to cutting production costs and maximizing their profits.
COST CUTTING TECHNIQUES
- Substandard Water Storage Tank. Storage tank is one of the most crucial components of a geyser as it is responsible for storing the hot water and maintaining its temperature. For its paramount importance, it accounts for almost 40% of the entire cost of the geyser. So, in order to save production costs and to maximize profits, some brands resort to making use of of substandard, inferior-grade metals in the fabrication of the storage tank which catches rusts and corrosion in just a season or two. Eventually small holes develop in the storage tank from which water leaks out, and in worst cases the tank collapses altogether. In order for the geyser to serve its purpose well, the storage tank must be built out of structurally strong, resilient materials such as Stainless/Titanium steel or some other equally durable metal. Using such inert materials in the construction ensure that saline or hard water does not react with the walls of the storage tank and the geyser well stands the test of time, thereby providing a great value for one’s money spent.
- Material used in the fabrication of heating element. Heating element is one of the most crucial components of a geyser as it is responsible for raising the temperature of water and hence accounts for almost 40% of the entire cost of the appliance. So, to cut costs and increase profits, some brands resort to making use of ceramic coated heating element in the geysers they manufacture. Such heating element is relatively cheaper to produce which facilitates the manufacturer to lure customers citing low prices of the product. However, in reality, ceramic coated heating elements are highly non-durable and are prone to rapid corrosion. Such geysers require replacement of the heating element every season or two. Rather, one should ensure that the geyser one opts for has a glass-lined/copper heating element.
Now, having gained insights on the ways by which some manufacturers cut production costs in order to maximize their profits, let us proceed to zero in on some of the best water geysers available in the market that not only offer superior build quality of the storage tank, but are also manufactured using durable, long-lasting components, hence offering great value for one’s money.
Note: In our constant endeavour to assist you in making an informed buying decision, we test the new launches of the products on multiple parameters, and if they stand tall in our analysis we periodically add them to the below mentioned list of our recommended products. So, if you plan to make the purchase at a later time, you may visit the links once again at the very time of buying to ensure that the purchase turns out to be a very fruitful one.
1-5 litre instant
For Indian residents - Best Choice 1, My Preferred Choice, Best Choice 2, Best Choice 3, Best Choice 4, Best Choice 5, Best Choice 6, Best Choice 7, Best Choice 8, Best Choice 9, Best Choice 10, Best Choice 11 and Best Choice 12
6-10 litre storage tank capacity
For Indian residents - Best Choice 1, Best Choice 2, My Preferred Choice, Best Choice 3, Best Choice 4, Best Choice 5, Best Choice 6, Best Choice 7, Best Choice 8, Best Choice 9, Best Choice 10, Best Choice 11, Best Choice 12 and Best Choice 13
15 litre storage tank capacity
For Indian residents - Best Choice 1, Best Choice 2, Best Choice 3, My Preferred Choice, Best Choice 4, Best Choice 5, Best Choice 6, Best Choice 7, Best Choice 8, Best Choice 9, Best Choice 10, Best Choice 11, Best Choice 12 and Best Choice 13
25 litre storage tank capacity
For Indian residents - Best Choice 1, My Preferred Choice, Best Choice 2, Best Choice 3, Best Choice 4, Best Choice 5, Best Choice 6, Best Choice 7, Best Choice 8 and Best Choice 9
No comments:
Post a Comment