POLOKWANE – According to local electrician George Manamela, heating an empty geyser could seriously damage the system, requiring repairs or replacement. A new geyser costs between R2 000 and R2 500, call-out fee excluded.
“When an empty geyser is switched on, the element inside starts heating up and as there is no water for the element to warm, the element burns out. You would then need to buy another element. Depending on the make and model of the geyser the owner will either have to replace the element or replace the heater and this can cost between R600 to R700,” Manamela explains.
There is a silver lining however, modern models are less likely to become damaged.
According to Manamela, if you accidentally switch on a newer model geyser with little or no water, the power supply will be disconnected automatically, keeping damage to the element to a minimum.
“You’ll have to press a switch at the bottom of the geyser to get it started again,” he says.
riana@nmgroup.co.za
