Which Electric Water Heater to Choose and Why They Last Less in Mallorca
How many litres you need, what to look at before buying and why the island water shortens the life of water heaters. With what servicing costs and when replacing makes sense.
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Mallorcan water is very hard and it destroys water heaters, pumps and taps. We measure the real hardness at your property before sizing anything.
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In Mallorca water heaters last less than on the mainland, and it is not bad luck: it is limescale. The water across much of the island is very hard, and that scale settles on the element and attacks the inside of the tank. Choosing the right heater and doing simple servicing can double its life.
How many litres you actually need
It is the most common question, and going too big costs money: an oversized heater warms water you will not use and reheats it every day.
As a practical guide for a home with one shower:
- One person: 30-50 litres.
- Two people: 50-80 litres.
- Three or four people: 80-100 litres.
- Five or more, or two bathrooms in use at once: 150 litres, or consider a cylinder with a boiler.
If you have a bath instead of a shower tray, go up one step. A bath empties a good part of the tank in one go.
Why limescale eats water heaters in Mallorca
When hard water is heated, calcium carbonate precipitates and sticks to the hottest thing there is: the element. That layer of scale acts like a coat, so the element has to work harder and hotter to heat the same water. It draws more electricity, takes longer and eventually burns out.
At the same time the magnesium anode — the sacrificial part that protects the tank from corrosion — is used up. Once the anode is gone, what starts corroding is the tank itself. And a pitted tank cannot be repaired.
A clear sign of scale: the heater takes longer and longer to warm up, or the RCD trips when you switch it on. If you also see rust in the hot water, the tank is already suffering.
What to look at before buying one
Beyond the brand, these are the things that genuinely make a difference with the water here:
- A sheathed element (ceramic or steatite) rather than an immersed one. The sheathed type does not touch the water, so scale does not stick to it directly and it can be changed without draining the tank.
- An accessible magnesium anode, or better still a titanium impressed-current anode, which is not consumed.
- A tank with good vitrified enamel and a long manufacturer warranty on the tank, which is the part that cannot be repaired.
- A thermostat with a safety cut-out and, if you use it rarely, an eco or programmable function.
- That it fits and stays accessible. The best heater in the world is no use if there is no room to pull the element out afterwards.
The servicing almost nobody does, and that adds years
An electric water heater should be serviced every two years, and every year in very hard water areas. The service means draining the tank, removing the element, descaling it, checking the anode and replacing it if it is spent, and checking the safety valve.
It is a job of a good hour that costs far less than a new heater and stops you having to buy one. Most of the heaters we replace because of a pitted tank could have been saved by changing the anode in time.
Repair or replace?
The rule we use:
- Repair if the heater is under 8-10 years old, the tank is sound and the fault is the element, the thermostat or the anode. Those are parts and they are changed on the same visit.
- Replace if the tank is leaking, if rusty water comes out, or if it has already needed several repairs. A pitted tank cannot be welded or patched.
If limescale is what keeps giving you trouble, consider the softener before the heater. It protects the heater, the washing machine, the dishwasher and every tap at the same time. We explain it in the guide to water hardness.
What temperature to set it to
Between 55 and 60 °C is the sensible point. Below 55 you encourage legionella to develop in the tank; above 65 scale forms far faster and you use more electricity for nothing, because you end up mixing it with cold at the tap anyway.
Have this problem at home? Call us on 631 290 026 and we will tell you on the phone whether it is an easy fix and what it costs, before we set off.
What our customers say
"My stopcock broke at three in the morning and the house was flooding. They arrived in exactly 25 minutes and sorted it. Faultless, very professional service."
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"I had a terrible blockage in the kitchen sink that nothing would shift. They brought a special machine and it was clear in ten minutes. Fair price and excellent manner."
"Quick response, efficient and very good work. They came out on a public holiday and solved the problem."
"Very effective. He came quickly and, once he had given the quote, fixed the fault. I recommend him."
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What size electric water heater do I need?
As a guide, 30-50 litres for one person, 50-80 for two, 80-100 for three or four, and 150 litres from five people or if two bathrooms are used at once. If you have a bath rather than a shower, go up one step. In Mallorca it is also worth choosing a sheathed element and an accessible anode, because hard water shortens the life of the appliance.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an electric water heater last in Mallorca?
Eight to twelve years with servicing, and considerably less without it. The limescale in the island water burns out elements and consumes the anode, which is what protects the tank. Servicing every one or two years extends that a great deal.
Is it worth repairing an old water heater?
If the tank is sound and the element, thermostat or anode has failed, yes: those are parts and it works out far cheaper. If the tank is leaking or rusty water comes out, there is no repair and it has to be replaced.
Can you install a new water heater the same day?
Normally yes. We carry heaters in the most common sizes and the swap takes an hour to an hour and a half, including removing the old unit, new flexible hoses and safety valve, and a leak test.
Electric water heater or gas heater: which is better?
It depends on the property. Electric is simpler, needs no flue and fits well in flats; gas gives unlimited hot water and is cheaper to run if you already have gas. In homes without a gas supply, electric is usually the sensible choice.
Why does the RCD trip when I switch on the water heater?
Almost always the element, which has lost its insulation because of limescale and is leaking to earth. It is a classic fault and it is fixed by replacing the element and the gasket. Do not leave it switched on: call and have it looked at.
About us
Fontaneros Mallorca is a plumbing business based on the island, specialising in emergencies, blocked drains, leak detection and water treatment. We work across the whole island every day: Palma, Manacor, Inca, Calvià, Campos and everywhere else.
Real experience
15 years working on Mallorcan plumbing: hard water, salt air on the coast and the old installations of village houses.
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Fixed price
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Written guarantee
2-year guarantee on the installation, and first-quality materials with the manufacturer's own warranty.
Fontaneros Mallorca · Tel. 631 290 026 · We come to you anywhere in Mallorca (Balearic Islands) · Company details and legal notice
Plumbers in all 53 municipalities of Mallorca
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