Electric geysers in Pakistan: running cost and trade-offs

Types of electric water heater

• Electric storage geyser: a tank with one or two elements and a thermostat; good for bathrooms and families.
• Instant electric heater: heats water as it flows; compact, but needs a heavy power supply for a decent flow.
• Instant tap heater: a small tap-mounted unit for washing hands and dishes, not showers.
• Immersion rod: a rod placed in a bucket; cheap but risky and inefficient.

Running cost: how to estimate it

Look at the element’s rating in kilowatts and how many hours it runs. A 2 kW element running for three hours uses about 6 units (kWh) a day, or around 180 units a month, which can move a household into a higher electricity slab. Multiply by your own tariff to see the cost. The same hot water from Sui gas usually costs less.

Wiring and safety

• Use a dedicated circuit with the right cable size and a breaker; never run a geyser on an extension lead.
• Earth the geyser properly and fit an RCD where possible; water and electricity together are dangerous.
• Replace corroded elements promptly; a failed element can trip breakers or leak current.

When electric makes sense

Where there is no gas connection, for a small bathroom far from the gas geyser, or with solar panels that can cover the element during the day. If you already have a working gas geyser and the problem is load shedding, auto ignition is usually cheaper to buy and to run.