A conventional electric storage geyser is basically a thermal storage system designed for heating and storing water to be used later. As such, it is fabricated with some vital components that work in unison.

Construction:

Inner Tank: This is the core of the geyser and will be made of stainless steel or vitreous enamel for resisting corrosion. It contains the water to be heated. The quality and thickness of the inner tank immensely affect the durability and lifetime of the geyser.

Outer Tank:This will be the outer house of the inner tank, where the heat energy is lost outwards to the atmosphere through insulation provided by the material for the outer tank. Common materials for the outer shell are either plastic or metal, with insulating material like fiberglass or polyurethane foam filling the space between the two tanks.

Heating Element: This element, immersed directly in the water, converts the electrical energy to heat energy in order to raise the temperature of the water. The wattage of the element determines the heating capability of a geyser. The thermostat functions as a temperature regulator, sensing the temperature of the water and subsequently switching the heating element on or off to maintain the temperature.

Pressure Relief Valve: This safety device will allow any excess pressure that has developed in the tank due to overheating to be released in order to avoid possible explosions.

Anode Rod: Constructed from a soft, easily corrosible sacrificial metal rod, usually magnesium or aluminum, the anode rod corrodes preferentially and thereby protects the inner tank from corrosion. The effectiveness depends on the water quality and the material used for this anode.

Insulation:As energy efficiency is of huge importance, it minimizes the loss of heat from the inner tank. The type and thickness of insulation have a major impact on the energy performance of a geyser.

Inlet and Outlet Pipes: These connect to the cold water supply and the distribution system of hot water, respectively, to the geyser.

Working:

A geyser is a home appliance that provides hot water for household purposes. It is essentially an insulated inner tank holding the cold water to be heated with an electric element. The temperature is maintained with the aid of a thermostat, so that it neither falls nor rises excessively. When hot water is drawn through the outlet pipe, cold water refills the tank and the cycle of heating starts all over again. Also installed is a pressure relief valve to avoid damage from excessive pressure. An anode rod is used to corrode itself and thus protect the inner tank from corrosion.