Instant Geyser vs. Storage Geyser

WINTER IS COMING. Thankfully for us, it doesn’t involve any white walkers or fire breathing dragons if you know what I mean. However, there are a few important decisions we must take before the onset of winter,  like replacing that old geyser that you have ignored throughout the entire summer despite a million and one requests from the family. Better late than never, right?

To help our readers out with this, we will get you started with the basics and move on to the specifications and their workings so that you can make a quick and informed decision to get through the dreaded winter morning bath. 

If you go to any shop or browse through an online catalogue, you will come across a whole universe of geysers in varying capacities and features from several companies. Each of these variants serves a particular purpose based on the customers’ requirements. Broadly speaking, geysers come in two variants- Instant geyser and Storage geyser.

Choosing the right geyser depends on various factors such as budget, space, number of family members, and the general temperature of the location. Choose the wrong one, and you will end up being lathered in soap and have nothing but cold, freezing water to wash within the middle of a raging cold spell..!

Instant Geyser

As the name suggests, instant geysers heat the water instantly when it flows through the appliance. It usually has no storage space for water and if they do it is usually in a smaller capacity of 1 to 6 litres.

Once you switch on the instant geyser, depending on the wattage, it takes about a minute before you start getting hot water. Typically water in tap flows at the rate of 3 litres per minute and shower at 6 litres per minute. So, the quantity of hot water you get from a typical instant geyser will not be enough for a shower. It will suffice a bucket bath. But, if you live in a place with cold winters, then an instant geyser will not be enough.

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How Does It Work?

Instant geysers consume about 3-5 kilowatt of power. The working principle of an instant geyser is the same as an immersion rod where water flows over the metallic coil that heats the water after a short period. The only differentiating factor is the safety feature built on the instant geyser. 

Advantages

• Consumes less space. Though there are instant geysers available with 4-6 litre capacity, most ones come with a 1-3 litre capacity. Hence, it requires very little space. It can be mounted on the wall easily. It can also be put in the kitchen beside the bathroom since it is compact and comes in attractive designs.
• Takes less time. Instant geyser takes no more than a minute to heat the water. It saves a lot of time for working people.
• Saves electricity. Instant geyser provides hot water in an instant. Hence, it takes lesser time to heat water which in turn saves electricity.
• Long term usage. Instant geysers can last 10-15 years or more since their mechanism is more efficient and used only when it’s required. 
• Cost-effective. Instant geysers are more cost-effective in the long run since they require less maintenance which reduces any recurring costs.
• Dynamic. The instant geyser can also be used in kitchens and sinks for washing utensils at a moment’s notice. Try washing utensils with cold water during the winter and you will know that an instant geyser is a must-have in the kitchen!

Disadvantages

• Limited supply. Since most instant geysers have little or no storage capacity, they will run out of hot water fast before you get another batch. It could take a few minutes before it can heat a specific volume of water again. So, if you live in a cold place, it isn’t really suitable for bathroom.
• Load on electricity. Since instant geysers have high output, it takes much lesser time to heat the water which in turn saves electricity. However, it does put a load on the system which can lead to an outage in some cases. 
• Flow rate. Instant geysers require a minimum flow rate of 2 litres per minute. Anything lesser than that can damage the appliance. Users will need to be cognizant of this to ensure the proper functioning of the device.

RECOMMENDATION

Instant geyser is recommended for kitchens and for small families of 3-4 members living in warm places. It is meant for individuals or families who are concerned about the way they consume energy and natural resources. It is also eco-friendly and has zero greenhouse emissions; perfect for those who are environmentally conscious. Recommended only for those who are frugal or very discerning.

Storage Geyser

These geysers come with a storage space that can hold heated water starting from 10 litres onward. They take longer to heat the water since its heating rate is no more than 2-3 kilowatt. However, its insulated tank can hold the heated water for a longer duration. This ensures that users have heated water non-stop for a much longer duration in comparison to the instant geyser. 

How Does It Work?

Storage geyser consists of two pipes – inlet pipe for cold water and outlet pipe for hot water. It works on the principle of conversion of electric energy into heat energy. The temperature is controlled by a thermostat which ensures that the water is heated to a certain point and stored in the insulated tank. 

Advantages

• Cost-effective. You can get a good storage geyser with sufficient storage capacity for a reasonable price in any market. This product is fairly common and used in almost all households. As a result, its cost is always reasonable. 
• Storage. The major benefit of having a storage geyser is that it comes with ample storage for hot water. In addition to that, the storage tank is insulated which keeps the water hot for a few hours even after the device is turned off.
• Easy installation. Storage geyser is simple to install and doesn’t need any complex requirements before installation purpose. 
• Easy maintenance. This device is easy to maintain since its mechanism is fairly simple and any technician can fix it without any specific knowledge in advance.

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Disadvantages

• Large space. Storage geyser requires a lot of space for installation. Make sure you have enough space in your bathroom to install the geyser. 
• Heat loss. Although the storage tank is insulated. The water will lose heat over time. The water has to be heated multiple times if the temperature is to be maintained.
•  Power consumption. Heating a whole tank of water takes time which in turn consumes a lot of electricity.
• Time consumed. Since a storage geyser heats a whole tank of water in a go, it takes usually longer to heat the water.
• Maintenance. The coils and the storage tank could build limescale deposits in the long run as water is stored in it. So they need more maintenance in the long run.

Recommendation

If you are a family of 5 and above or if you live in a cold place, storage geyser is the way to go. It is suitable for people who tend to use hot water for baths or showers since the water remains hot for a longer duration.

Quick Comparison of Instant Geyser Vs Storage Geyser

FEATURE	INSTANT GEYSER	STORAGE GEYSER
Space	Occupies small wall space. Perfect for smaller houses.	Occupies a much larger wall space since it has a storage tank too.
Time taken	Hot water comes within a minute once it’s turned on.	Takes about 5-10 minutes for the water to heat up.
Ease of use	It can release 5-6 litres of hot water in a go. After that, you will need to wait a while before you get hot water.	Since it has a storage tank, hot water is available for multiple users without any breaks.
Cost	You can get a good instant geyser within a range of 3000-6000.	Storage geyser price starts within a range of 5000-10000.
Lifespan	10-15 years of service with minimal maintenance.	10-15 years of service. Tends to require more maintenance during its lifespan.
Power consumption	Has a power output of 3-5 kilowatt which is on the higher side. Since it heats water within a short duration, power consumption is low.	Has a power output of 2-3 kilowatts. It heats the entire water in the storage tank in a go which takes longer. As a result, it tends to consume more power.
Suitability	Best for a small family. Suitable for washing dishes, washing face and bath using buckets. Opt for bathrooms only if you live in a warm place.	Good for bigger families. Can be used for showers, bucket baths and other purposes. Apt for places with harsh winters.

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