Quick answer: A typical 2000W geyser costs about ₹16 per hour to run at ₹8/unit, or roughly ₹480/month if used for 1 hour a day. Use the calculator below with your geyser’s wattage, daily usage and your state’s electricity rate for an exact figure.
Geyser (Water Heater) Running Cost Calculator
Instant geysers: 3000-4500W. Storage geysers: 1500-2500W.
Check your last electricity bill for your exact per-unit slab rate – typically ₹3-13/unit across Indian states.
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Geyser?
A geyser’s running cost depends on three things: its wattage, how many minutes it’s switched on per day, and your per-unit electricity rate. The formula is:
Cost = (Wattage / 1000) × Hours Used × Rate per Unit (₹/kWh)
Storage geysers (with a tank, usually 6-25 litres) heat water gradually and hold it at temperature with a thermostat, so they draw power in short bursts throughout the day rather than continuously. Instant geysers heat water on demand at a much higher wattage (3000-4500W) but only while the tap is running, so total daily “on time” is usually just a few minutes despite the high wattage.
Geyser Running Cost by Type (India)
| Geyser Type | Wattage | Typical Daily Use | Cost/Day (₹8/unit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant Geyser (3L) | 3000W | 10-15 mins | ₹4-6 |
| Storage Geyser (10L) | 1500W | 30-45 mins | ₹6-9 |
| Storage Geyser (25L) | 2000W | 45-60 mins | ₹12-16 |
| Gas/Instant + Backup Element | 2000-3000W | 15-20 mins | ₹5-8 |
Worked Example: A Family Using a Storage Geyser Daily
Say you have a 2000W storage geyser used for 45 minutes a day (0.75 hours), paying ₹8 per unit:
- Units used = (2000/1000) × 0.75 = 1.5 kWh
- Cost per day = 1.5 × ₹8 = ₹12
- Cost per month (30 days) = ₹12 × 30 = ₹360
- Cost per year = ₹12 × 365 = ₹4,380
Switch to a 5-star rated geyser with better tank insulation and the thermostat cycles less often to maintain temperature, which can cut this figure by 10-20% without changing your usage habits at all.
5 Ways to Cut Your Geyser Bill
- Set the thermostat to 50-55°C instead of maximum – most people mix hot water with cold anyway, so heating past 55°C just wastes energy holding a higher temperature.
- Switch it off when not in use – a storage geyser left on 24/7 keeps reheating to compensate for standing heat loss, even with nobody using hot water.
- Choose the right tank size for your household – an oversized tank wastes energy heating water you don’t use; an undersized one forces constant reheating.
- Install or check tank insulation – a well-insulated tank loses heat more slowly, so the thermostat cycles the element on less often.
- Use a timer plug – schedule the geyser to switch on 20-30 minutes before your usual bath time instead of running all day.
FAQs
How many units does a geyser consume per hour?
A geyser consumes units equal to its wattage divided by 1000, per hour of actual “on” time – so a 2000W geyser uses 2 units per hour, and a 3000W instant geyser uses 3 units per hour, though instant geysers typically run for only a few minutes at a time.
Is an instant geyser cheaper to run than a storage geyser?
Per bath, an instant geyser can be cheaper because it only heats the exact water you use and switches off immediately, whereas a storage geyser keeps a full tank hot with standby losses. But instant geysers have a much higher wattage, so cost depends heavily on how many minutes it actually runs.
Does leaving a geyser on all day waste electricity?
Yes. Once water reaches the set temperature, a storage geyser’s thermostat cycles the element on periodically just to offset heat loss through the tank walls, even if nobody uses hot water – this standing loss is avoidable by switching it off between uses.
What size geyser do I need for a family of 4?
A 25-35 litre storage geyser is typically enough for a family of 3-4 with staggered bathing times; larger families or simultaneous use may need 35-50 litres or an instant geyser with higher flow capacity.
How do I find my geyser’s wattage?
Check the rating label on the geyser body or its user manual – it lists power in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). If you only see amps, multiply amps by your supply voltage (230V in India) to estimate watts.
Does a star rating actually reduce geyser running cost?
Yes – a 5-star BEE-rated geyser has better tank insulation and heating efficiency than a lower-rated model of the same capacity, typically cutting standby heat loss and running cost by 15-25% over its lifetime.