As South Africans pack up for the December holidays, there’s one appliance still working full-time: your geyser. It heats water whether you’re home or not, it quietly uses more electricity than anything else and it almost never gets the credit or attention it deserves.
So while you take a break, your geyser deserves one too. A few simple steps before you head out can save money, prevent holiday disasters and extend the life of your hot water system.
Here’s how to give your geyser the festive season it’s been hoping for.
1. Switch it off and prevent costly surprises
Your geyser is the biggest energy user in your home, according to Eskom, often accounting for up to 60% of household electricity use (Saving Energy SA, 2024). Leaving it running while you’re away means you’re paying for hot water no one is using.
Switching it off at the distribution board before you leave is the first step. But a holiday break is also the perfect time to do a quick safety check. South African insurers report that geyser-related claims account for 27% of all household insurance claims, with an additional 8% of hidden damage in walls and floors because of pipe claims (Moonstone).
Before you leave:
● Switch off your geyser at the distribution board
● Check for leaks
● Make sure the overflow pipe is clear
Why does this matter?
If something goes wrong while you’re on holiday, the damage can spread for days before anyone notices. Ceilings collapse, flooring swells and electrical systems short circuit. A simple pre-holiday check prevents a very expensive homecoming surprise.
2. Book your geyser a “Spa Day” before you return to work
The festive season is usually one of the few times of the year when life slows down. Once you’re back at work, even if January starts calmly, the pace always picks up. It’s far easier to handle home maintenance now than when deadlines, meetings and school routines return.
A quick service for your geyser now can spot early signs of wear, corrosion or pressure issues before they turn into a leak or burst. More importantly, it saves you from dealing with insurance calls, plumber appointments and back-and-forth admin when your workdays are full.
Regular maintenance helps:
● Extend the lifespan of your geyser
● Prevent corrosion by replacing the sacrificial anode
● Ensure the pressure control valve is working properly
● Reduce the risk of leaks when no one is home
● Improve energy efficiency
Doing a service now means fewer interruptions, fewer emergencies and fewer unexpected costs during the year.
How to Service Your Geyser (And what a qualified plumber will do)
A standard geyser service includes a few key steps to keep the system healthy, safe and energy-efficient. Here’s what to expect:
- Switch Off the Power
The geyser must be powered down at the DB board to ensure safe inspection and testing. - Inspect Internal Components
Instead of checking for visible leaks (which you’ve already done in Point 1), the plumber focuses on the parts you cannot access, including internal corrosion, loose connections and early signs of wear inside the tank. - Test the Pressure and Temperature Safety Valve
This valve prevents dangerous pressure build-up. The plumber will test it to make sure it is opening and closing correctly. - Replace the Sacrificial Anode (If Needed)
The anode protects the tank from rust. If it’s worn down, it needs to be replaced to prevent internal corrosion. - Flush Out Sediment
Over time, minerals and debris settle inside the tank. Flushing helps your geyser heat water more efficiently and reduces strain on the element. - Inspect and Test the Thermostat and Heating Element
Faulty parts here can cause high electricity use, irregular heating or even failure. A check prevents surprise cold-water mornings. - Confirm Overall Safety and Compliance
The plumber will ensure the installation still meets safety and insurance requirements, including the drip tray, overflow pipes and electrical connections.
3. Start the year with smarter, more efficient hot water habits
New year, new resolutions. If saving money, reducing electricity use or living more sustainably is on your list, your geyser is one of the best places to start. Heating water accounts for up to half of a typical South African household’s electricity bill, so even small changes make a real difference.
With electricity prices rising and power cuts continuing across the country, moving to more efficient, grid-light hot water systems is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s practical self-protection. Smarter systems lower bills, reduce reliance on an unstable grid and offer long-term savings.
Ask yourself:
● Does my geyser still suit the number of people in my home?
● Do we use baths, showers or a mix?
● Do we live in a warm or cold climate?
● Am I wasting electricity on a system that’s too big for us?
● Would a smarter or more energy-efficient geyser help us long-term?
Choosing the right geyser can save thousands over the years. Solar water heaters can cut hot water costs by up to 54% and heat pumps use roughly one-third of the electricity of a traditional geyser, resulting in average energy savings of up to 70%.
Your geyser works harder than almost any appliance in your home. Giving it a “holiday” when you take yours is more than playful advice; it’s sound home care. Switching it off, doing a safety check and scheduling maintenance before life gets busy again can save money, prevent headaches and extend the life of your hot water system.
Start the year with smarter hot water habits and your geyser will repay you with fewer surprises and lower bills in 2026.
Also see: How to set up a water-wise kitchen
