Water heaters: buying guide
Most Singapore homes use a storage heater, which keeps a tank of hot water ready for several showers, or an instant heater, which heats water as it flows to one shower. Choose by how many people shower back to back and whether you want a rain shower, then size the tank to the household.
Typical unit prices in Singapore
| Band | Typical (SGD) |
|---|---|
| Instant water heaterBasic single-point units at the low end; pump and rain shower models at the top. | $100–$400 |
| 15-litre storage heaterFor one or two people. Few data points, so treat as a guide. | $150–$250 |
| 25–35 litre storage heaterThe common choice for families of three to four. | $250–$450 |
| 50-litre and larger storage heaterFor bathtubs or larger households. Little price data; slim and horizontal tanks can cost more. | $300–$700 |
Retail price bands seen in Singapore stores and online. Installation is priced separately.
What to look for
Storage or instant
An instant heater sits beside one shower and heats water only while it runs, so it suits a single bathroom or a household that showers one at a time. A storage heater heats a tank in advance and can feed more than one bathroom, the kitchen sink and a rain shower. The trade-offs are the wall or ceiling space a tank takes, and waiting for it to reheat once the hot water runs out.
Sizing a storage tank
As a rough guide, 15 litres suits one or two people, 30 litres or more suits a family of about four, and a bathtub needs around 50 litres. Size up if several people shower one after another in the evening or you plan a large rain shower head. A tank much bigger than you need just keeps extra water hot for nothing.
Fitting it into the space
Storage tanks are usually mounted high on a bathroom wall or above the false ceiling, so check the space, the wall and access for future servicing before you pick a shape. Slim and horizontal tanks are made for tight spots. Instant heaters need a power point near the shower that suits the unit's load. If there is none, a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) has to add one.
Look for the SAFETY Mark
Water heaters are Controlled Goods in Singapore, so every unit sold here must carry the SAFETY Mark. Check for the mark on the unit's label before you pay, especially when buying online or from overseas sellers. A cheaper unit without it should not be installed.
Who can install it
Installing or replacing an electric storage water heater must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber, and the work should follow Singapore Standard SS 636. Since 1 April 2018 it has been an offence to engage an unlicensed plumber for this work. An instant heater does not need a licensed plumber, but any new wiring or power point is LEW work.
Pump and rain shower models
If you want a rain shower without a storage tank, look at instant heaters made for rain showers or with a built-in pump, which sit at the top of the instant price range. They still heat a limited flow, so a wide rain head may feel cooler or weaker than with a storage tank. Where water pressure is low, check the flow at the shower before buying.
Types
Storage water heater
Wall-mounted tank that heats and holds water for several outlets. Common home sizes run from 15 to 50 litres.
Slim or horizontal storage heater
Storage tank shaped for narrow walls or the space above a false ceiling. Does the same job as a round tank.
Instant water heater
Compact unit beside the shower that heats water on demand for one point. No tank to wait for, but the flow it can heat is limited.
Instant heater with pump or rain shower
Instant unit with a built-in pump or a matching rain shower set, for bathrooms that want a rain shower without a tank.
Checks for HDB, condo and landed homes
HDB
- Note where the old heater sits and where the hot water pipes run, so the new unit can reuse the same points.
- If the tank goes above a false ceiling, make sure there is an access panel for future servicing.
- For an instant heater, check there is a suitable power point beside the shower; budget for an LEW if not.
- Confirm a PUB Licensed Plumber will install any storage heater.
Condo
- Check whether one storage heater serves several bathrooms; replace it with the same or a larger capacity.
- Measure the space carefully. Heaters in false ceilings and storerooms often have tight clearance.
- Take a photo of the old unit's label. Matching dimensions makes a swap simpler.
- Ask management about work hours and whether the service lift is needed to remove the old tank.
Landed
- Decide between one large tank and separate heaters per bathroom. Long pipe runs mean waiting longer for hot water at far taps.
- Size for bathtubs at around 50 litres or more.
- If you are adding heaters, have an LEW check the circuit can take the extra load.
- Check the flow in upper-floor bathrooms before choosing an instant or rain shower model.
Brands commonly sold in Singapore
- Rheem · Storage heaters in several tank sizes; sold at major appliance stores and through plumbers.
- Ariston · Storage and instant models, including slim storage tanks; widely stocked at major appliance stores.
- Joven · Instant and storage models, including horizontal storage tanks; widely stocked at appliance stores.
- Champs · Storage and instant models; sold at appliance stores and hardware shops.
- Panasonic · Instant water heaters; sold at major appliance stores.
- Toshiba · Instant water heaters; sold at major appliance stores.
Listed for reference only. Not an endorsement, and not a list of stock.
Installation and repair
Frequently asked questions
What size water heater do I need for a 4-room HDB flat?
Size it by people, not rooms. About 15 litres suits one or two people and 30 litres or more suits about four. A flat with two bathrooms can use one storage heater feeding both, or an instant heater in each.
Do I need a licensed plumber to replace a water heater?
For an electric storage heater, yes. PUB requires a Licensed Plumber to install or replace one. An instant heater does not need a licensed plumber, but new wiring or a new power point must be done by a Licensed Electrical Worker.
Can I buy a water heater online and pay only for installation?
Yes. Check it carries the SAFETY Mark, fits the space and suits your household size. Labour to fit a storage heater is typically $150–250, and removing the old unit usually adds $30–80.
Why does my rain shower feel weak with an instant heater?
An instant heater can only heat a limited flow, and a wide rain head spreads it thin. Models with a built-in pump help. If several people want rain showers, a storage heater is usually the better fit.
Should I repair or replace an old water heater?
A leak from the tank body usually means replacement, while a leak from a valve or fitting can often be fixed. Tripping or no hot water may be a faulty element or thermostat. Compare the repair quote with the cost of a new unit plus installation, and ask for the fault in writing.
Get a supply-and-install quote
Tell us your home type and what you are replacing. Send a photo of the current unit and its label if you can.
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