Covid-19 fears give additional boost to water heater sales

With clod waves sweeping across the country, the demand for water heaters is increasing in the capital.

But, with the additional fear of Covid-19, the demand for this product has increased by 20-25% this winter compared to the previous year, said traders.

“It’s coronavirus. People don’t want to catch a cold at this critical moment,” said Emdadul Hoque, owner of JCL Home Solution at Banghsal.

People usually buy water heaters during winter — that’s normal, he said. “But due to coronavirus, people are extra cautious this time, leading to the increase in sales of water heaters compared to last year,” he explained.

“The sales of the different types of water heaters have increased by 20-25% at my shop,” said Emdadul, adding that sales might increase further in the days to come during this winter.

Another retailer, Sohag Sardar of the Sardar Electronics in the capital’s Azimpur, echoed Emdadul.

He, however, added that some local water heater varieties now come with warranty; people trust these products, leading to an increase in sales by 20% than usual.

A buyer Syed Khairul Hasan told Business Insider that he was looking for an instant water heater for his family’s regular use.

“Many electronics companies are offering bundles of discounts on the eve of New Year. I’ll buy a regular-sized geyser for my four-member family,” he added.

After visiting different sanitary and electronics shops in the capital, it was found that prices of water heaters vary based on size and quality.

The small and portable ones cost Tk150-Tk900. On the other hand, the prices of the big ones, usually known as geysers, vary as per capacity in litres, available from 10 to 90 litres.

There are also different types of water heaters — gas and electric. However, the use of electric heaters is more common at home.

The prices of electric geysers range between Tk5,000 and Tk10,000, while the instant geysers between Tk3,000 and Tk7,000.

Sanitary and electronics shops in the city’s Elephant Road, New Market, Gulistan, Stadium Market, Nawabpur Sundarbans Square Market, Mirpur, Gulshan, Dhanmondi, Hatirpul, Farmgate, Bashundhara City, Jamuna Future Park are usually known as the best places for buying water heaters.