An Indian home should have hot water for daily activities, such as taking a bath, washing utensils, and cleaning. Hot water is readily available through water heaters without separate boils. As the name suggests, instant water heaters are designed to provide hot water immediately. This does not involve any waiting time for hot water and it enables the same to be provided on demand through taps. Bajaj is one of the most reliable and credible brands of water heater in the India. They manufacture multiple models ranging from store to instantaneous water heaters. In this comprehensive review, I will compare the two popular instant water heater models of Bajaj; the Bajaj Flora and the Bajaj Ivora. There are different capacities of 1-25 litres available in Bajaj Geyser variants. I shall particularly contrast 3 litre storage capacity models since they are convenient for any Indian household, whether large or small.
How Do Instant Water Heaters Work?
Before jumping into the comparison, let’s first build some basic understanding of how instant or on-demand water heaters function:
- They consist of an insulated storage tank and a heating element. The size of storage tank determines the capacity of the geyser.
- The cold water enters the storage tank via the inlet pipe connection. When electric power supply is switched on, the heating element heats the water instantly.
- Thermostats help regulate the temperature and automatically switch off the heating element once the water has reached the required hot temperature.
- This hot water gets stored in the tank briefly and keeps getting replenished as cold water enters. The hot water supply is available on demand via taps.
- Instant heaters thus eliminate any waiting time and deliver hot water continuously as long as heating element is on and water supply flows.
- Most have adjustable thermostats allowing users to set the desired temperature as per needs. Temperatures can range from 25 to 75 degree Celsius typically.
Now that we understand their basic working mechanism, let’s delve into the comparison between 3 litre variants of Bajaj Flora and Ivora.
Specifications Comparison
First, we will look at the technical specifications provided by Bajaj for both instant water heater models:
As evident from the technical specifications, both instant water heater variants have identical 3 litre tank capacity and 3000 watt power consumption. The inner tank material and outer body material is also common – SS 304 grade stainless steel and ABS plastic respectively.
Even the product dimensions are exactly the same at 26.5 x 26.5 x 44 cms for both models. This allows easy replacement and installation without any additional plumbing modifications.
Some of the key differences visible from the specs are:
- Heating Element – Flora uses glassline/enamel coated heating element while Ivora comes with copper heating element.
- Safety Features – Flora has fire retardant cable for additional safety while Ivora relies on pressure release valve for safety.
- Pressure Handling – Flora claims to withstand up to 8 bars while Ivora withstands up to 6.5 bars. This makes Flora more suitable for high rise apartments.
- Warranty – Flora offers 2 years warranty on the product while Ivora has 1 year product warranty. Heating element warranty is 3 years on Flora and 2 years on Ivora.
- Indicators – Flora uses old school neon indicator lights whereas Ivora comes with modern LED indicators.
With both having identical capacity and electric power consumption, the major differences lie in heating element material, safety systems, pressure withstanding capability and warranties.
Design and Build Quality
Now coming to the aesthetics and build quality of Bajaj Flora and Ivora geysers:
- The outer body of both models is made of ABS plastic which offers durability along with heat and fire resistance. This prevents corrosion and rusting.
- They come in compact vertical design with white and blue colored outer shells and sleek curved bodies. This gives them modern look suitable for contemporary kitchen and bathroom interiors.
- The storage tanks in both models are made of stainless steel which enhances their lifespan by preventing internal corrosion. Stainless steel 304 grade is durable and withstands high water pressures.
- Neon (Flora) and LED (Ivora) status indicators on front panel allow easy monitoring of operational modes like power on, heating in progress etc.
- Ivora LEDs consume less energy and are more visible than Flora neon lights. But neon lights have a nice aesthetic glow.
- Insulation has been provided around the bodies and tanks ensures heat loss is minimized, improving energy efficiency.
- Compact size of 26.5 x 26.5 cms base area allows them to be installed in tight spaces, under sinks or on compact wall shelves.
- Elegant curved design with shiny white finish gives a premium look. Suitable for modern kitchen and bathroom interiors.
To summarize, both Bajaj instant water heater models have durable stainless steel tanks, Fire retardant ABS plastic bodies, neon/LED indicators and elegant aesthetics. Premium construction and visual appeal makes them a value-for-money purchase.
Safety Features
Safety is paramount for any electrical appliance, especially one dealing with water and heat. Let us explore the safety mechanisms integrated in both models:
Bajaj Flora
- ISI approved fire retardant cable prevents fire risks.
- Neon indicators clearly show operational modes.
- Thermal cut-out protects against overheating.
- No water leakage with up to 8 bars pressure tolerance.
Bajaj Ivora
- Pressure release valves prevent build up and leakage.
- LEDs indicate power and heating status.
- Thermal cut-out prevents overheating and burns.
- Withstands up to 6.5 bar water pressure with no leaks.
Both Bajaj heaters are equipped with basic safety requirements like thermal cut-outs and visual indicators. Flora’s fire retardant cable provides additional protection being placed inside bathrooms where electrical risks are higher. Ivora seems to rely more on its pressure release valves.
Considering safety, Flora scores over Ivora thanks to the fire retardant cable. But both meet the basic safety parameters required in an instant water heater.
Heating Efficiency
The heating element and its efficiency in delivering hot water quickly is a crucial consideration while choosing a water heater. Let’s compare the heating performance of Flora and Ivora:
Bajaj Flora
- Glassline coated heating element provides superior corrosion resistance. The glass coating prevents scale formation and enhances durability.
- Rapid heating with 3000 watt power consumption.
- Adjustable thermostat lets you select temperature between 25 to 75 deg Celsius as per need.
Bajaj Ivora
- Copper heating element enables quick and efficient heat transfer due to copper’s high thermal conductivity.
- 3000 watt power rating gives rapid hot water availability.
- Adjustable thermostat for temperatures from 25 to 75 deg Celsius.
The heating efficiency of both models is at par as they share identical 3000 watt power consumption. The only difference is in heating element material – Flora uses glassline while Ivora uses copper.
Glassline provides better corrosion resistance. But copper is more thermally conductive allowing faster heat transfer in Ivora. Performance wise there may not
be a major difference between the two heating element materials. You can expect rapid heating and energy efficient operation with both Bajaj geysers.
Durability and Warranty
For an appliance like water heater, durability and longevity are important considerations. Let’s see how the two models compare based on their construction quality and warranties:
- The stainless steel 304 grade inner tank in both Flora and Ivora ensures long term corrosion resistance enhancing durability.
- The ABS plastic outer body is also highly durable, fire/heat resistant and protects against corrosion.
- Glassline/enamel heating element in Flora provides better resistance to scale buildup thus rated for 3 years warranty.
- Copper heating element in Ivora has lesser 2 years warranty but is thermally highly conductive.
- 5 years warranty on inner tank depicts confidence in durability of stainless steel tanks.
Warranty Comparison
| Component | Bajaj Flora | Bajaj Ivora |
| On Product | 2 years | 1 year |
| On Heating Element | 3 years | 2 years |
| On Inner Tank | 5 years | 5 years |
The better construction material of heating element in Flora is evident in its longer 3 years warranty compared to 2 years for Ivora. Outer tank is warranted for 5 years in both models.
Overall, buyers can expect at least 5+ years of reliable performance from both Bajaj instant water heaters with normal care and maintenance. Both seem decently durable for the price based on construction quality and warranties.
Pricing and Cost Analysis
Pricing is often the most important factor for buyers while choosing a water heater. Let us compare the prices of Bajaj Flora and Ivora:
- Bajaj Flora 3 litre prices range from Rs. 3270 to Rs. 3500 across online and offline outlets.
- Bajaj Ivora 3 litre is priced between Rs. 3299 to Rs. 3700 approximately.
This indicates Ivora is around Rs. 100 cheaper than Flora on average for the 3 litre variant we are comparing.
In terms of running costs, both consume 3000 watts power and should have similar electricity consumption. Considering usage of 1 hour daily, approximate running cost of both models is around Rs. 100 per month.
Although Ivora is economically priced, its 1 year warranty compared to 2 years on Flora makes the latter better value. The extra safety features and higher pressure tolerance in Flora also justify its slightly higher price tag.
Ivora makes sense for buyers on shoestring budget. But Flora offers better return on investment in the long run.
Conclusion – Which One Should You Buy?
Analyzing all features in detail, here is a summary of factors that should help guide your buying decision:
Reasons to Buy Bajaj Flora
- Fire retardant cable makes it safer to use in bathrooms
- 8 bar pressure tolerance makes it ideal for high rises
- Glassline heating element offers better anti-corrosion abilities
- 2 year warranty on product versus just 1 year on Ivora
Reasons to Buy Bajaj Ivora
- It is around Rs. 100 cheaper than Flora
- LED indicators more energy efficient than Flora’s neon lights
- Copper heating element allows efficient heat transfer
- Meets basic requirements of a 3 litre instant water heater
For most homes, Bajaj Flora seems a better overall choice considering it’s safety credentials, durability and ability to handle high water pressures in apartments. The additional Rs. 100 investment over Ivora is justified by its benefits. Only opt for Ivora if on a tight budget.
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