Building a landed home with many bathrooms?
The first key choice is to decide your water pipe layout. Choose between a central heater layout or an individual bath heater layout.
Your contractor will not start work until you confirm this. The water pipes for each layout is different.
For this article, we estimate costs for a 6-member, 4-bath landed home with rain showers and no bathtub.
There are two main options.
1. Individual Storage
• Traditional option.
• One storage tank in each bathroom false ceiling.
2. Central Heat Pump
• Premium energy saving option.
• One central heater for entire home.
1. Which Layout Gives You The Most Privacy?
Individual heaters
• Fixed in false ceiling
• Service man needs to access ceiling
• Some risk of damage
Winner: Central heaters
• Fixed at roof, far from bathrooms
• Service man will not access your personal bath
• All messy works at roof area
1. Which Layout has a Lower Power Load?
Individual heaters
One heater is 3 kW.
If you have five heaters, that is 5 × 3 kW = 15 kW total load.
Winner: Central heaters
One heater is 3 kW. This 3kW serves the whole house.
A large central storage tank acts like a hot water bank. It heats and stores a big volume of hot water in advance. This way, it doesn’t need many heaters running at the same time.
That is why a central heater will reduce your power load.
3. Which Layout Saves the Most Energy?
When it comes to energy savings, your heater layout matters. A central layout opens up more possibilities. You get access to the most energy-efficient technology available today: Heat pumps.
Heat pumps are the #1 most energy-saving water heaters in Singapore, but there’s a catch. They are large-volume systems best used as a central units, not individual heaters.
Winner: Central heat pump heaters (5 ticks)
• Most energy efficient
• Uses free heat from the air to heat water
• Uses renewable energy
• Can save up to 80% on energy bills
Individual storage heaters (1 tick)
• Least energy efficient
• No real energy saving technology
• Higher running cost over time
AOS installed their 180L outdoor heat pump on my flat roof in Feb 2024.
The AOS device gives more uniform temperature which we can preset compared to the solar. It is essentially a refrigerator sitting on the roof.
The Company is very capably staffed, every tech and administrator is well versed to address all queries and situations.
The Company is very capably staffed, every tech and administrator is well versed to address all queries and situations.
Chia Pix
Google review
Have been using the heat pump water heater for 6 months. It's possible to use climate change voucher for it. Heating while in heat pump mode consumes about 220+w of energy but takes longer to heat up.
Its large tank is also good if multiple bathrooms use the hot water simultaneously. Overall, it's the best heater I've used and totally no complaints.
Its large tank is also good if multiple bathrooms use the hot water simultaneously. Overall, it's the best heater I've used and totally no complaints.
Jian Da Han
Google review
4. Which Layout is Easier to Install?
Winner: Central Heat Pump Heaters
• Need expert handling, may need a crane
• Higher material cost
• But easier for you because messy works are far way, no indoor ceiling works
Individual Storage
• Cheaper and easier to install than central heaters, no need expert
• But you may be affected by indoor ceiling works
• Many bathrooms = more heaters = more works
5. Which Layout Costs Less to Maintain?
Winner: Central heater
• Cost to maintain $300 to $500
• Only 1 heater, far away at roof or aircon ledge
• If leaks, will not damage ceiling
• Frequency: every 3 years
Individual storage
• Cost to maintain $600 to 1200
• Many heaters, all above false ceiling
• Heater leak, may damage ceiling
• Frequency: every 3 years
6. Which Layout is a Better Option for Bathtubs?
Bathtubs need a large volume of hot water, not only good water pressure. An individual storage heater usually requires 80 to 100 litres. This can cause a ceiling drop when fixed above a false ceiling. A central heater at the roof or aircon ledge, avoids this issue while giving you ample hot water a bathtub.
Winner: Central Heat Pump Heaters
• Strong water pressure: 10 L/min
• Large tank capacity without affecting bathroom ceiling height
• Better for high usage
Individual Storage Heaters
• Strong water pressure: 10 L/min
• Large tank needed for bathtubs
• May cause ceiling drop when installed above false ceilings
Conclusion: Which Heater Layout Should You Choose, Central or Individual?
If you have the budget and are redoing your pipework, a central heat pump heater is the clear winner and our top choice. It offers the best technology and the lowest running cost.
That said, not every home can support a central system. If you have space limits or a budget, the right choice is the one that works best within your constraints.
Winner: Central heat pump heater
• 100% privacy from service teams
• Best technology, lowest running cost
• Easy to maintain, no risk of bathroom leak damage
Individual storage heaters
• If there is no aircon ledge or space for a central heater
• Budget-friendly upfront option
Central vs. Individual FAQ
How many people use central vs individual heaters in Singapore?
In the 1960-90s, almost everyone used individual storage heaters. They were the only option and easy for contractors to install. A central system was not ideal because heat pumps didn’t exist. One big electric tank would have been too expensive to run.
By 2000s, things changed. With the rise of heat pumps, about 90% of new landed builds switched to central systems. Heat pumps offer 80% lower energy use and cleaner bathroom design. They also protect your privacy.
In 2020s, new technology shifted the trend again. High-pressure tankless systems entered the market. They offer a better shower experience than old instant heaters. Tankless heaters give you up to 30% energy savings. They are popular due to their small size, and zero maintenance. Most popular with families with a simple setup of hand showers and no bathtubs. They are an attractive alternative to central systems.
What is the ROI of a central heat pump heater?
Only central heat pump systems offer a true ROI because they run on renewable energy. That is, free heat from the air. Normal heaters use electricity or gas to create hot water.
For a landed home with five bathrooms, the typical ROI is about 5 years. After that, you are enjoying low-cost hot water for the rest of the heater’s lifespan.
An AOS heat pump should last over 10 years. This is due to its strong, patented Blue Diamond tank. This durability has ranked AOSmith as the #1 Water Heater in USA. Reliability is one of the key reasons AOS is a top global brand for tank water heaters today.
What is the best place to install a central heat pump?
A central heat pump can be installed on the roof, first floor, or the air-con ledge. All are good options. Because it is a tank system, water pressure remains strong no matter where you place it.
Most choose to install it next to the air-con compressors. This area is already designated for outdoor equipment. It also keeps the unit out of sight and is easy to access for servicing.
Need some advice?
No need to stress about layouts, heater types, or sizes. Just send us your floor plan, and we’ll work it out for you. It’s simple, fast, and completely no-obligation.
Reach out if you:
• Have a floor plan and want expert guidance
• Don’t know how to mix and match heaters
• Want to find the best heater size for your home
Send us your floor plan on WhatsApp and get your personalised recommendation today!
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