Faulty geysers cause a flood of problems in winter
JOBURG - Read about how you can give your geyser a little care this winter.
Every year, the insurance industry pays out millions of rand on water damage caused by malfunctioning hot water geysers in winter, as geysers suffer more wear and tear during the cold season, and claims for geyser-related damages increase.
Budget Insurance urged homeowners to give their geysers a little care this winter so they can withstand the low temperatures. “A defective geyser is a serious concern. Besides destroying fixtures and fittings in the property, it can also cause serious injury or even death. Geysers that burst are dangerous and, to prevent devastating consequences, it is worthwhile having your geyser checked out by a professional before the cold weather really sets in,” Budget Insurance’s spokesperson, Graham Craggs said.
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He added that the expansion and contraction of the geyser tank and its components occurred during normal usage as hot water leaves the geyser and is replaced with cold water.
“However, in winter, the cold water temperature can drop considerably as the temperature difference between the cold water entering the geyser and the hot water leaving the geyser is therefore much greater than it is during the summer months. This increases the rate of expansion and contraction which can lead to metal fatigue,” Craggs explained.
He said experts recommended that geysers were serviced by a qualified plumber every three years. A geyser service would entail draining the geyser and checking its components including the anode, element and thermostat. Lime scale and sludge should be removed from the tank and element, and the whole system should be checked for leaks.
“To ease the burden on your geyser, turn down the thermostat to 60 degrees Celsius and fit a geyser blanket to help reduce heat loss. This will help reduce your geyser’s power consumption and ultimately your electricity bill,” Craggs added.
He concluded that it was wise to switch off your geyser from time to time, especially during peak electricity demand periods, but it was best to not let it get cold, as the additional contraction-expansion cycle could decrease the lifespan of your geyser while also consuming more electricity to warm the water up again.
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