Geysers for High-Rise Buildings: Overcoming Pressure Challenges
Winters are already here and are expected to be harsh. But do you know what else is harsh? The water coming to your bathroom. If you happen to be living in a multi-storeyed building, you are likely to understand the context here. Yes, we are talking about the high (harsh) water pressure that puts a strain on the tank of your geyser. Today, we’ve got a detailed guide to help you choose the right geyser that can handle high water pressure and last for seasons.
Water pressure in a high-rise apartment behaves differently from a low-rise or independent home, and not every geyser is built to handle it. Understanding what pressure rating actually means, and checking for it before you buy, is one of the most overlooked steps in choosing a geyser for a tall building.
Why High-Rise Water Pressure Is Different
Buildings with centralised pumping systems or elevated water tanks can deliver noticeably higher static water pressure to upper floors than a typical independent home receives. A geyser's tank and internal components are built to handle water pressure only up to a certain limit, and pressure beyond that can strain seals, joints and the tank itself over time.
What 'Pressure Rating' Actually Means
A geyser's pressure rating, usually expressed in bar, is the maximum water pressure the unit is designed to safely handle. As a general guide, storage geysers built for high-rise use are typically rated for pressure compatibility up to around 8 bar, while instant geysers suited to low and mid-rise buildings are typically rated around 6.5 bar. These are general reference points rather than universal figures, since the exact rating varies by specific model, which is exactly why checking it matters more than assuming type alone decides suitability.
What are the most common reasons for a water heater tank to start leaking?
While the tank of a water heater can go bad for various reasons, here are the most common ones. Once we understand the reasons, we will get to the solution part.
- Corrosion: There are natural minerals in water which react with water heater tank and can cause rusting. Even if your water tank is made of stainless steel, it corrodes over time owing to prolonged exposure to these minerals.
- Water Pressure: If you live in a building that has more than 3 or 4 floors, the water comes down from the building tank with force and puts pressure on your water heater’s tank. Heating of water further multiplies this pressure and pushes the walls outwards. Also, the sudden inlet of cold-water during usage makes the metal cool again. This may case sudden contraction and expansion of metal tank which can build cracks in metal walls of the tank. You are smart enough to know what happens next.
- Scaling: A storage water heater doesn’t always have a water supply running through it constantly. In a storage water heater, the minerals present in water start settling on surface of metal tank and form a layer over a period. Depending on the hardness of your supply water, this scaling can happen between 6 months to 1.5 years.
Signs a Geyser Isn't Coping With High Pressure
● Water dripping or seeping from joints or the pressure relief valve more than expected.
● A hissing sound from the pressure relief valve during normal operation.
● Visible strain or bulging around fittings over time.
● More frequent leaks than you'd expect from a unit of its age.
What You Can Do About It
● Check the specific model's pressure rating before buying, rather than assuming any storage geyser will do.
● Ask your building or plumber about your floor's typical incoming water pressure if you're unsure.
● Consider a pressure-reducing valve on the inlet line if your building's pressure is unusually high, even with a rated geyser.
● Have the pressure relief valve checked during routine servicing, since it's the component doing the most work to protect the tank.
The Solution: Glassline Tank Water Heaters
Now that we know what causes water heaters to leak, is there any solution to this problem? Well, the answer is yes. Let’s talk about new-age Glassline tank water heaters that are made to withstand high water pressures and the test of time. These types of water heaters have a layer of glass inside the steel tank. The construct of this material isn’t simple. Even before a geyser is assembled in factory, its steel tank is layered with glass-wool from inside and is heated to a temperature of 800+ degrees. The intense heat causes the glass wool to melt and form a layer on the inside surface of tank. This protective layer is called Glassline. Before this glassline tank geyser is assembled in the manufacturing facility, it goes through rigorous quality checks to ensures best of quality. The glass inside these water heaters has to be strong enough, to be transported from factory to your home without breaking.
Why Choose Glassline Water Heaters?
Now that you’ve got the grip of technology behind glass-lined tank geyser, here are the key reasons why should buy them.
- They are corrosion resistant: Since the metal tank never comes in contact with water minerals, the water tank never corrodes. Orient Electric gives a warranty of 7 years on glassline water tanks.
- Can withstand high pressure: The process of making a glassline tank requires a thick sheet of metal, which is further enforced with a glass coating. This combination makes the water tank strong enough to withstand up to 8 bar water pressure, which is a must if you live in a high-rise building.
- Glassline tanks are non-reactive to scaling: Ever wondered why our chemistry labs only had beakers made of glass? Because glass doesn’t react to any naturally forming mineral. Furthermore, being a bad conductor of heat, glass goes through a minimal contraction or expansion when exposed to varying temperatures.
Explore Orient Electric’s Range of Glassline Water Heaters
Glassline water heaters are available in different tank capacities, and you can choose one basis your hot water needs and family size. Orient Electric carries an extensive range of BEE 5-star rated Glassline water heaters. A standout feature of Orient geysers is their capability to give 20% more hot water output, thanks to Whirlflow technology which doesn’t allow mixing of hot and cold water while you are taking a shower. This results in maximum output for every unit consumed. Orient Geysers also have auto-cut off thermostat which cuts off electricity supply once the water reaches optimum temperature of your liking.
Orient Electric’s storage glassline geysers come in 10L, 15L and 25-litre capacities, with the added benefit of free installation on select models like Aquator+, Fontus Quad, Enamour Plus, and Enamour Prime. Enjoy a pleasant bathing experience with Orient Electric’s glassline water heaters.
Choosing a Geyser Built for High-Rise Use
Several Orient Electric storage models are specifically built and marketed as suitable for high-rise buildings, including the Aquator IoT and the Evapro PC, both carrying a glassline-coated tank alongside their pressure suitability. Compare the full storage water heaters range and always confirm a specific model's pressure rating for your floor before installation.
FAQs
Ques - What should be the pressure bearing capacity of a geyser to be used in a high-rise building?
Ans - As an industry benchmark, you should look out for a geyser which has a pressure bearing capacity of up to 8 bars.
Ques - What are the most common reasons for water heater leaks?
Ans - There could be multiple reasons for a water heater to start leaking, with the most common being high water pressure, scaling and corrosion.
Ques - Are glassline water heaters suitable for high-rise buildings?
Ans - Yes, they come with corrosion-resistant Glassline tanks and have the pressure bearing capacity of up to 8 bars.
Q. Do all storage geysers work fine in high-rise buildings?
No. Pressure tolerance varies by specific model, so it's important to check a geyser's pressure rating rather than assuming any storage unit will handle high-rise water pressure safely.
Q. What pressure rating should I look for in a high-rise apartment?
As a general reference, storage geysers suited to high-rise use are typically rated around 8 bar, though the exact figure varies by model and it's worth confirming the specific rating before buying.
Q. What happens if I install a geyser that isn't rated for my building's pressure?
Over time, excess pressure can strain seals, joints and the tank, increasing the risk of leaks or reduced working life, even if the unit functions normally at first.
Q. Can a pressure-reducing valve help if I already own a geyser that isn't high-rise rated?
It can help reduce the strain, but it isn't a substitute for a properly rated unit. If you're on a high floor and unsure of your geyser's rating, it's worth checking with a plumber or considering a rated replacement.
Q. Does instant water heater pressure suitability work the same way as storage?
Instant geysers generally have their own, typically lower, pressure tolerance, commonly suited to low and mid-rise buildings. Always check the specific model's rating rather than assuming it matches storage geyser figures.
