Installation, replacement and repair
Storage water heater installation
A storage water heater keeps a tank of hot water ready and can feed several taps and showers at once. Installing or replacing one must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber, and labour for a like-for-like swap is usually $150–250, with the heater extra.
Typical price
$150–$250labour only, like-for-like, unit extraTypical job time
1.5–3 hours
Estimate, confirm on WhatsApp
PUB rule: this work must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber. Since 2018 it is an offence to engage an unlicensed plumber for it. You can check any plumber on PUB's Licensed Plumber Directory.What needs a licensed plumber
When to replace or repair
- Water leaks from the tank body or the bottom seam, not just from a fitting.
- Hot water runs out much faster than it used to, or never gets properly hot.
- Brown or rusty water comes out of the hot tap only.
- The heater keeps tripping the power even after a repair.
- The mounting brackets are rusted or the heater has started to tilt away from the wall.
- Loud rumbling or crackling every time the heater warms up.
Common reasons
- Corrosion inside the tank. Once the tank body leaks, it cannot be repaired reliably.
- Scale build-up on the heating element, which slows heating and causes noise.
- A new BTO or resale flat with no heater, or an old heater left by the previous owner.
- Renovation, when the bathroom layout or false ceiling changes and the heater has to move.
- Switching from instant heaters to one storage heater that serves several points.
- Upsizing for a bigger household or a new bathtub.
Before you call
Safe things to try first
- Check the heater's isolator switch is on and the indicator light comes on. If the light stays off, the fault may be electrical rather than the tank.
- Shine a torch on the fittings and the bottom of the tank. A wet joint may only need a new washer; a wet tank body usually means replacement.
- Note the brand, model and capacity from the label, and measure the space the heater sits in, so a replacement can be checked for fit.
Stop and call if
- Water is dripping onto a power point, switch or light. Switch off at the isolator and the DB, and do not touch anything wet.
- The casing is unusually hot or you smell burning plastic.
- The relief valve drain runs with hot water non-stop.
- The heater trips the DB as soon as it is switched on.
What we do
- 1Check your household size, bathroom layout and the existing pipe and power point positions, then confirm a heater size and model that fits the space.
- 2Switch off at the isolator, shut the water supply, drain the old heater and take it down from the wall or ceiling.
- 3Mount the new heater on suitable brackets and connect the cold inlet, the hot outlet and a pressure relief valve with its drain pipe led to a floor trap or drain.
- 4Fill the tank completely before switching on, so the element is never powered dry. If a new power point or circuit is needed, a Licensed Electrical Worker does that part.
- 5Check every joint for leaks and test hot water at each tap and shower the heater serves.
- 6The PUB Licensed Plumber submits a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion to PUB within 7 days, and the old heater is taken away if disposal was agreed.
How much it costs
Most storage water heater installation jobs in Singapore cost $150–$250 (labour only, like-for-like, unit extra). This is an estimate; the final price is confirmed on WhatsApp or on site before work starts.
- Labour, like-for-like replacement$150–$250
- Labour with extra piping or a new position$250–$750
- Storage heater unit, 15–50L$150–$450
- Removal and disposal of the old heater$30–$80
HDB, condo and landed
HDB
The heater, the hot and cold pipes after your water meter and the power point are all the owner's responsibility. Before drilling for new brackets, check where concealed pipes and wiring run in the wall, and make sure the relief valve drain can reach the floor trap.
Condo
Inform management or security before the visit and keep to the renovation hours in the by-laws. If the heater sits above a false ceiling, make sure the access panel can be opened.
Landed
The owner is responsible for every heater and all the piping. For a bathtub, size up to around 50L, and check the water pressure on upper floors, since low pressure means weak hot showers whichever heater you choose.
Storage water heater installation: common questions
What size storage heater do I need?
As a rough guide, 15L suits 1–2 people, 30L or more suits a household of about four, and 50L is for a bathtub. If showers often run back to back, go one size up.
Do I need a licensed plumber to install a storage water heater?
Yes. PUB requires storage water heaters to be installed or replaced by a PUB Licensed Plumber, and since 1 April 2018 it is an offence to engage an unlicensed one. You can check a plumber's name on PUB's Licensed Plumber Directory.
What is the SAFETY Mark and why does it matter?
Water heaters are Controlled Goods in Singapore and must carry the SAFETY Mark to be sold here. Avoid grey-import or second-hand units without it. Installation should follow Singapore Standard SS 636.
Which storage heater brands are common in Singapore?
Rheem, Ariston and Joven are among the brands widely sold in local stores, in several tank sizes. Whichever you choose, check it carries the SAFETY Mark and has local warranty support.
Storage or instant heater: which suits my home?
A storage heater suits homes where several taps or a bathtub need hot water at the same time. An instant heater heats water only as it flows and serves one shower point, so it suits a bathroom used by one or two people.
Why does a storage heater need a pressure relief valve?
Water expands as it heats. The relief valve lets out excess pressure through a drain pipe so the tank is not over-pressurised. A few drips from the drain while heating can be normal; a steady flow is not.
Get a price for storage water heater installation
Send a photo or short video, your home type and postal code. We reply with a price range and the earliest slot.
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