Are you planning to convert from a gas heater to a storage heater? Use this 5-step guide to help you out.
1. Provide details of existing gas heater
Before you convert to a storage heater, send us a photo of your gas heater to us. Instead of just taking a close up of the heater, include the space around it.
Useful photos include:
• the top of aircon ledge
• space available at aircon ledge, yard or balcony
This will be helpful for determining the position of your new storage heater.
Converting to a storage heater also considers various different factors.
Gas heaters are usually installed outdoors in case there is a gas leak. Storage heaters should be installed indoors or in a sheltered area: they are electrical appliances and are not weatherproof.
Other bits of helpful information you can provide:
• Is there a dedicated 15A switch available nearby?
• Have other neighbours done similar installations?
• Does your building management approve of the works?
When my instant gas water heater stopped working, I started looking around for an electric storage heater. After much research, I decided on AOSmith from AOS bath. I have been using it for half a year without any issue and had very good experience. Highly recommended.
There are 2 main reasons why I would recommend AOSmith. First is Warranty. Most of the other heaters while cheaper was not covered under warranty for aircon ledge installation. Second is Usability. The AOSmith was a much needed upgrade from my old instant gas heater.
Very very good experience! Installation was a breeze thanks to Suruj and Rana. They also helped to clean up after installation. Thanks guys.
There are 2 main reasons why I would recommend AOSmith. First is Warranty. Most of the other heaters while cheaper was not covered under warranty for aircon ledge installation. Second is Usability. The AOSmith was a much needed upgrade from my old instant gas heater.
Very very good experience! Installation was a breeze thanks to Suruj and Rana. They also helped to clean up after installation. Thanks guys.
Alex Ang
Google review
Installation Team 2 (Pul/Moez) did an outstanding job in the installation of my storage heater. Patient and very tidy. Did not tarnish the looks of my condo unit at all. Really appreciative of them as I was initially hesitant to swap out my gas heater for fear of having unsightly pipes and trunking due to wiring and piping. They also discussed with me on how I wished to install even before getting down to it. Absolute joy and pleasure. I am glad I made the switch. Thank you once again AOSbath.
elwin leong
Google review
2. Contact your building management for approval
Once you have confirmed a location for the new storage heater, contact MCST for approval. You may be asked to fill in an application for renovation works. HDB owners usually skip this step as their heaters are installed indoors.
HDB: The town council does not allow heaters to be fixed at the air con ledge.
Private: Most MCST will approve the changes, but it is possible to get rejected. Please seek approval before proceeding.
3. Terminate gas supply
Do take note of this important step after you have converted your gas heater to a storage heater.
If the storage heater can be installed near your gas heater, we will reconnect your water pipes from the gas to storage heater. The gas supply will simply be shut off at the lever. Do call CityGas later to fully terminate the heater gas supply or you may still be charged.
We have heard from some clients that CityGas is unwilling to terminate the supply and are asking for many supporting reasons and your IC numbers. This is similar to the termination of a mobile phone line. It is not necessary to give out so much information.
Removal of gas heater
The removal of the gas heater is not necessary, it does not affect the conversion to a storage heater. But if you want to do so for aesthetic purposes, please contact CityGas or their recommended installers.
Note: For your safety, please do not perform an unauthorised uninstallation of your gas heater. As gas is quite volatile, they should only be handled by trained professionals.
4. Arrange to install the storage heater
If you choose to skip the termination of gas supply and removal of gas heater, you may skip step 3 in the diagram below.
For those who need to contact CityGas: Once you have a removal appointment, you may proceed to arrange for the installation of your new heater.
Try to give a 2 working day buffer for any uninstallation or installations. If you plan things right, the disconnection of gas can be done in the morning and the installation of the new heater on the afternoon of the same day (2pm onwards). This will minimise hot water downtime.
To ensure that there was minimal disruption of water supply, AOS Bath informed us that they could arrange for the installation of the heater on the very same day that the gas heater would be disconnected and removed.
The installation itself was quick and fuss free..Since then, we have enjoyed the almost instant warm water from our AOS Bath storage heater, instead of waiting for the gas heater to heat up our water and wasting time and water in the process.
The installation itself was quick and fuss free..Since then, we have enjoyed the almost instant warm water from our AOS Bath storage heater, instead of waiting for the gas heater to heat up our water and wasting time and water in the process.
Roland Tan
Google review
Installation was neatly done with the existing piping, no wall hacking as well. The water flow and pressure was consistent.
Water temperature was constant throughout the bathing duration.
Unlike the previous gas heater, weak water pressure and temperature changes while bathing.
Water temperature was constant throughout the bathing duration.
Unlike the previous gas heater, weak water pressure and temperature changes while bathing.
Ken Tan
Google review
5. Determine heater and panel location
Every ledge area is different. We will propose the best location for the heater and control panel. The maximum cable length for the control panel is 2.5m. This panel will not be installed at the location of the existing gas heater panel.
Tip: The panel serves to program your heater at the start. After it is set, the main on-off control is the heater switch. There is no need to refer to the panel and adjust it daily.
Conclusion
There you have it, a 5-step checklist that will give you an easy picture of how to convert a gas heater to a storage heater.
If you keep to these steps, you should have almost no downtime.
Have more questions?
Convert Gas Heater FAQ
How to remove my gas heater?
To remove the gas heater, you need to call a company that is authorised to remove gas heaters. It will cost about $300 more.
But if it is not in the way, you can leave it there to save time and money.
We can use the gas pipe lever to shut off the gas supply. This is a safe way to disconnect the old gas heater while leaving it in place.
How different is performance between gas and storage?
• Gas heaters are about 7 lit/min, while storage can go up to 10 lit/min.
• If 2 showers are on at the same time, you will experience a bigger water pressure drop with a gas heater. With a storage heater, there will also be a pressure drop, but it will be less obvious.
• When the water pressure drops, the temperature will also vary.
• For condos, the temperature and pressure change will be more obvious as one gas heater is shared between a few bathrooms and a kitchen.
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