Energy saving tips for geyser usage

Water heating is one of the largest contributors to household electricity bills in India. In most homes, the geyser runs multiple times a day early in the morning for showers, in the afternoon for dishwashing, and sometimes in the evening for laundry or more showers. This adds up.

In fact, studies and BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) estimates suggest that water heating can take up 15–20% of the total electricity bill for an average Indian home. If you pay ₹3,000 a month for electricity, around ₹450–₹600 may be going into heating water. That’s significant, especially if you live in a region where winters are long and hot water demand is high.

The good news? You can bring these costs down without compromising on comfort. With some simple geyser energy saving tips, the right appliance choice, and smarter daily habits, you can reduce your bills and extend your geyser’s lifespan.

Let’s go step-by-step.

1. Optimal thermostat setting for efficiency

The thermostat is the brain of your  electric geyser, it controls the temperature of the water stored inside. If set too high, your geyser keeps reheating the water to maintain that temperature, wasting electricity in the process. If set too low, you risk hygiene issues because bacteria like Legionella can survive in lukewarm water.

Ideal range:
For most Indian households, 50–60°C is the sweet spot. At this range:

• Water is hot enough for showers and cleaning.

• You avoid unnecessary overheating.

• Energy wastage is reduced.

How to adjust the thermostat safely:

• Switch off the geyser from the main power supply.

• For most storage geysers, remove the small protective cover near the base or side.

• Locate the thermostat dial, it’s usually marked with temperature ranges.

• Turn the dial to 55–60°C.

• Replace the cover and restore the power.

Savings scenario:
If your geyser is currently set to 75°C and you reduce it to 60°C, you could save around ₹300–₹500 a year for a family of four. In colder regions, savings may be slightly lower due to higher baseline heating needs.

2. Use a timer or smart plug

A geyser doesn’t need to be on all the time to give you hot water when you need it. But many households keep it switched on for hours, which means it keeps reheating the water even when no one is using it.

Solution: Install a timer switch or a Wi-Fi smart plug.

• Timer switch: Lets you set fixed on/off times. For example, 6:30–7:00 am and 8:30–9:00 pm.

• Smart plug: Lets you control the geyser remotely via an app and track electricity consumption. Some even have voice control integration with Alexa or Google Assistant.

Example routine with a 25L storage geyser:

• Morning: Turn on at 6:30 am for 25 minutes.

• Evening: Turn on at 8:30 pm for 20 minutes.

How to set up a smart plug for a geyser:

1. Buy a high-load smart plug rated for at least 16A (geyser-safe).

2. Connect the smart plug to your Wi-Fi using the manufacturer’s app.

3. Plug your geyser into the smart plug.

4. Set up schedules or control it manually via the app.

Savings scenario: Reducing geyser runtime from 4 hours to 2 hours a day can save up to ₹1,000–₹1,200 a year.

3. Choose the right geyser size and type

An oversized geyser wastes electricity because it heats more water than you need. An undersized one needs multiple reheats for back-to-back usage, also wasting energy.

Size guide for Indian homes:

Instant vs Storage geyser efficiency:

• Instant geysers heat water only when you turn on the tap. They have no standby heat loss, making them ideal for kitchens or short showers.
  
  

• Storage geysers heat water in advance and store it. Good for longer showers or multiple back-to-back uses. Best when paired with insulation.

Savings scenario: Switching from a 25L geyser to a 15L one (when your needs are lower) can save ₹800–₹1,000 annually.

4. Insulate your geyser and pipes

Even the best geysers lose heat over time, especially in cold climates. Heat loss means the thermostat kicks in more often to reheat the water, using extra electricity.

Two insulation steps:

• Geyser jacket: Wraps around the unit to reduce heat loss. Choose a waterproof, fire-retardant material.
  
  

• Pipe insulation: Foam pipe covers prevent heat loss as water travels from the geyser to taps.

Installation tip: You can install most geyser jackets yourself with Velcro straps. Pipe insulation foam tubes are inexpensive and easy to cut to size.

Savings scenario: A well-insulated geyser can reduce energy usage by 10%, translating to ₹500–₹800 a year for a medium-sized household.

5. Use water wisely

The less hot water you use, the less your geyser has to heat.

Practical habits:

• Take shorter showers for 5 minutes instead of 10.

• Use bucket baths instead of running the shower continuously.

• Turn off the geyser when you don’t need it for several hours.

• Use mixing taps to balance hot and cold water efficiently.

Impact on bills: Cutting your shower time in half can reduce your hot water usage by 40–50%, saving hundreds of rupees annually.

6. Compare star ratings and kWh savings

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) rates geysers from 1 to 5 stars. Higher stars = better efficiency.

Example comparison:

Annual savings: ₹1,200–₹1,500 by upgrading from 3-star to 5-star. Over 8–10 years, that’s nearly ₹10,000 saved.

Mini Savings Calculator

If you know your geyser’s wattage and daily runtime, you can use this table to calculate your exact monthly cost.

7. Maintain your geyser for peak efficiency

Regular maintenance ensures your geyser heats water quickly without wasting electricity.

Checklist:

• Flush the tank every 6 months to remove sediment buildup.

• Inspect and replace worn  water heater coil.

• Check the thermostat accuracy.

• Book an annual professional service.

Sediment buildup is especially common in hard water areas, where limescale forms quickly. This layer acts as insulation on the coil, forcing it to work harder and consume more electricity.

Savings scenario: A well-maintained geyser can use up to 15% less electricity than a neglected one.

8. Seasonal usage adjustments

Your geyser needs more energy in winter than in summer. This is because the inlet water temperature is lower in colder months, requiring more heating.

Adjustments you can make:

• Increase thermostat temperature slightly in winter (by 5°C) for comfort.

• Reduce thermostat temperature in summer when the inlet water is warmer.

• Shorten the runtime in summer.

This seasonal flexibility can save you ₹200–₹300 every summer.

9. Combine strategies for maximum impact

The most effective cost reductions come from using multiple tips together.

Example combo for a family of four:

• Install a 5-star 15L  water heater for bathroom (saves ₹1,200/year).

• Set thermostat to 60°C (saves ₹500/year).

• Use a timer for 2 hours daily (saves ₹1,000/year).

• Insulate geyser and pipes (saves ₹600/year).

• Reduce shower time (saves ₹800/year).

Total annual savings: ₹4,100+
Over a 10-year geyser life, that’s ₹40,000+ back in your pocket.

Conclusion

Saving energy with your geyser is not about sacrificing hot water, it’s about using it smarter. By adjusting your thermostat, choosing the right size and star rating, installing a timer, insulating pipes, and maintaining the unit, you can keep your electricity bills low and extend the life of your appliance.

A few hours of setup and habit changes today can save you thousands of rupees every year. And if you’re in the market for a new water heater, consider upgrading to a BEE 5-star model for maximum efficiency.

Explore Voltas’ range of  electric geyser price and  electric water heater options for energy-efficient performance year-round.