Why "Sustainability" Matters in Singapore Homes
In Singapore, everything is increasing in price. Rising costs affect groceries to household utilities. We will want to save on whatever we can, especially if we are undergoing renovations or moving to a new house.
Singapore's Green Plan 2030 aims to combat climate change. It also aims to reduce carbon footprint, for a greener and more sustainable future. This will in turn keep prices low as Singapore’s sustainable development is advanced.
Let us introduce the most sustainable water heater in Singapore – the heat pump. The heat pump helps you save more on a daily basis, while also reducing your carbon footprint.
What Makes a Water Heater Sustainable?
What makes the heat pump more sustainable is how much less power it consumes. This is because heat pumps use surrounding air to convert into heat, which then heats up your water. In normal electric heaters, heat has to be created with heating elements to give you hot water.
Let's look at it from another angle: the heat pump only uses 210 watts, as compared to a storage heater which uses up to 3000 watts. With less electricity consumed, the heat pump is more energy efficient.
In addition, the heat pump heater tank is coated with patented Blue Diamond™ technology. This makes the tank more durable than the average 5-year lifespan. Hot water lasts longer, and less energy is spent on reheating water.
The more the heat pump heater is used, the more money you save. With the durability and lifespan of 10 years, this makes the heat pump an extremely sustainable water heater in the long-run.
I got an AOS 80L micro heat pump recently to replace my electric heater.
My electricity bill has been reduced by a lot and I have never run out of hot water since the installation due to the large tank. Highly recommended!
My electricity bill has been reduced by a lot and I have never run out of hot water since the installation due to the large tank. Highly recommended!
Shawn Lee
Google review
We purchased a heat pump water heater. The installation was professionally done, and in efficiency mode (the best choice for our needs) there's a big improvement (reduction) in our monthly electric bills compared to a conventional electric water heater.
Timothy Sipples
Google review
Just How Sustainable is a Heat Pump?
The next question you might ask is: how is a heat pump different from a solar heater? Shouldn’t a solar heater be more sustainable? The answer is no, here’s why.
The solar heater cannot work without sunlight. During nighttime or on cloudy days, the efficiency of your solar heater drops. And when solar energy is insufficient, the heater relies on a backup electric heating system which consumes energy like a regular heater at 3000 watts.
This is unlike heat pumps which only require a minimum of 15ºC in order to work. Singapore’s climate is mostly hot and humid all year round, with an average temperature of 32ºC. This allows the heat pump to work reliably 24/7.
The heat pump is more sustainable in the long run as it can work efficiently 24 hours a day, regardless of weather. This makes the heat pump less reliant on the backup heating system, and therefore more sustainable for your home.
How Much More Energy Saved Compared to a Tankless Heater?
The table below compares the energy usage of the heat pump to the tankless BathBox, another fairly sustainable option.
With 1 person, the BathBox is more sustainable than the heat pump due to potential heat loss.
But with 3 people and more, that is where you will start to observe the faster return on investment (ROI) in your energy bills. This is also why the heat pump is recommended for families of 4 and above.
In addition, a heat pump offers stronger water pressure than a tankless BathBox. If you want a sustainable yet high quality shower for your family, the heat pump is a great choice. In fact, it is the #1 choice for landed homes.
What Would it Look Like For Your Bills?
In Singapore, we all care about saving as much money as we can. This is where the heat pump truly shines. It is 75% more energy saving, and lowers your household’s expenses.
The above shows an estimate of what your household monthly bills would look like with a regular storage heater compared to a heat pump.
Over the years, the lowered utility bills would add up, leading to long-term energy savings, and better ROI.
In addition, the heat pump runs on free air heat, which is renewable energy. This makes the heat pump even more sustainable in the long-run compared to a regular heater that runs on electricity.
Few years back I read an article on Straits Times on the advantages of heat pump over solar water heater.
When I bought a landed house, I decided to engage AOS Bath to install AOSmith integrated heat pump to supply hot water to all 5 bathrooms in my house.
My electricity bill is low and I am happy that I am able to use renewable energy .
When I bought a landed house, I decided to engage AOS Bath to install AOSmith integrated heat pump to supply hot water to all 5 bathrooms in my house.
My electricity bill is low and I am happy that I am able to use renewable energy .
R Ravi
Google review
Have been using AO Smith heat pump water heater (model HPW-80) for the past 9 months. Whole family are very happy with the steady supply of hot water.
No more long wait for water to heat up. I am happy I no longer burn a hole in my pocket with the high electric bills.
No more long wait for water to heat up. I am happy I no longer burn a hole in my pocket with the high electric bills.
Kok Hon
Google review
Common Mistakes When Choosing a "Sustainable" Water Heater
Now you might be thinking, how do I start saving with the heat pump? Wait! Here are some things that you need to know before rushing into a heat pump.
Although it is true that heat pumps can help you save more, it is recommended for families of 4 and above. With the higher usage of a bigger family, the ROI of a heat pump would be higher.
Heat pumps are also more suitable for bigger homes. If your bathroom area is too tight, you might not be able to fit a heat pump.
Before you jump into making a big purchase, do consider the above carefully. Just because something is sustainable, does not mean you have the best conditions for the most ROI.
Don't spend more than you save!
Conclusion
In the end, choosing a heat pump isn’t just about saving on energy bills. It is a meaningful step towards environmental sustainability.
With a sustainable heater, your household produces less greenhouse gas, helping to ease climate change while contributing to cleaner air and water.
The lowered energy costs are just an added perk you get for a positive contribution to the environment.
Sustainability FAQ
What is the best place to install the heat pump?
For the heat pump, the best location to install it is next to the aircon compressor to make full use of the hot air being produced.
If the area is inaccessible, the heat pump can be installed like a regular storage heater.
How sustainable are heat pumps for the environment?
Heat pumps absorbs heat from surrounding air, making it rely on renewable energy.
It then uses a small amount of electricity to turn this absorbed air heat into energy that gives you hot water.
This makes the heat pump a sustainable alternative than a regular storage heater.
How much do heat pumps help you save?
As the heat pump uses renewable energy from surrounding air, it reduces your energy usage by 75%. That means a 75% decrease in your energy bills!
Need some advice?
If you want to:
1. Count your ROI
2. Get job site view to:
• upgrade to a heat pump
• change your solar heater
• change from gas heater to heat pump (for better water pressure)
Drop us a message and we will be happy to assist you.
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