Hot water is a small luxury we don’t fully appreciate until it’s missing. Whether you’re using an instant water heater or a storage water heater, making mistakes in how you use or maintain your geyser can lead to higher electricity bills, shorter lifespan, or even safety hazards. Here are the top 5 mistakes people make, and how you can easily avoid them.

1. Choosing Based Only on Water Heater Price

Many people pick a geyser purely based on water heater price, but that’s not always the smartest move. A very cheap water heater might lack good insulation or safety features, which can make it more expensive in the long run.

• What to do instead: Look for value, check for features like efficient insulation, energy rating, 8 bar-pressure compatibility for high rise buildings, pressure release valves, water resistance, anode rod for long-term durability and more. For example, Kenstar’s storage models like the Kenstar Quantum 15 L Storage Water Heater offer strong insulation and reliability, saving you money in electricity over time.

• Also consider whether you need an instant water heater or a storage water heater based on your usage: an instant geyser is more efficient if you need hot water quickly and intermittently for handwashing, dishwash etc., while a storage heater can be better for continuous or heavy usage.

2. Installing the Wrong Type of Water Heater for Your Needs

Not all water heaters are made for the same home setup or usage pattern; picking the wrong type is a common mistake.

Instant geyser vs Storage geyser:

• Instant water heaters heat water the moment you switch them on, without storing it. Since there’s no tank to keep reheating, they help reduce energy waste and are great for quick, short bursts of hot water—like washing dishes or a fast shower. 

• Storage water heaters, on the other hand, come with a tank that keeps a ready reserve of hot water available whenever you need it. This makes them ideal for longer showers or multiple users. But because the stored water needs to be kept hot, they consume more energy over time, especially if switched on for long durations.

Fit for your building: If you live in a high-rise building with high water pressure, check for a heater that supports a high bar rating. Using a geyser that isn’t built for high pressure can lead to leaks, tank damage, frequent breakdowns, and even safety risks due to excessive internal pressure. 

3. Ignoring Safety Features

Safety is non-negotiable when it comes to water heaters, as improper handling or usage can create serious hazards.

• Overheat & pressure protection: Always check if the geyser has pressure-release valves, thermal cutoffs, or multi-level safety shields. 

• Water splash protection: Make sure the heater has an appropriate IP rating. This means internal parts are safe even if there's water dripping on the body.

• Professional installation: Use a trained, certified technician for installation. Poor installation can lead to leaks, short circuits, or even explosions in some cases.

4. Not Maintaining Your Water Heater Properly

Many people assume that once a geyser is installed, it will keep working smoothly on its own, but that’s when trouble slowly starts building up.

• Tank cleaning for storage heaters: Over time, minerals and sediment settle at the bottom of the tank, especially if you have hard water. This means the water heater takes longer to heat, uses more electricity, and may even start making noise.

• Anode rod neglect: Storage water heaters have a special rod inside that protects the tank from rusting. If this rod isn’t checked once in a while, the tank can start corroding from the inside, leading to leaks and costly replacements.

5. Running It at Too High Temperature or for Too Long

People often set their geysers to maximum temperature, thinking “hotter is better.” But that’s a mistake.

• Energy wastage: Higher temperature means the geyser uses more electricity and may cycle on/off more often, wasting power.

• Shorter heater life: Constantly running at a very high temperature stresses the heating element or tank.
  

If you’re in the market for a new geyser, take into account:

• Brand reliability- Look at well-known brands like Kenstar for both instant and storage water heaters.

• Realistic water heater price- Don’t just go for the cheapest. Compare the price with the maintenance cost and energy consumption.

• Warranty & spare parts- Check how long the warranty is and the availability of spare parts (tank, element, etc.) in your city.

Final Thoughts

Water heaters are one of the most used appliances in a home. Using them smartly, from choosing the right type to installing safely, to maintaining regularly, can make a big difference. Avoid these common mistakes, and you’ll save money, stay safe, and enjoy hot water comfortably for years.