After air conditioning, water heating is the second-largest energy consumer in households in Singapore. An average household can spend up to 20% of utility bills on water heating.
Whether you are buying a water heater with the latest energy saving technology for your new home or replacing a leaky old one, it pays to choose carefully.
Many water heaters in Singapore claim their heaters are energy saving. But what exactly makes then energy saving and which is the most energy efficient?
How to Compare Water Heater Energy Saving Levels?
The size of the tank, heat loss, and even heating speed all play a part in the efficiency of your water heater.
Use this chart for an easy summary:
Non-renewable heaters
• Rely on a power source like electricity or gas to produce heat.
• Below 0% efficiency as there is no perfect energy transfer
• Costs more to run
Renewable energy heaters
• Do not rely on a power source to produce heat
• Can use free heat from the earth like the sun or air.
• Costs less to run
Gas Heater
Pros:
• Tankless
Cons:
• Installed in service yard = far from bathroom = heat loss
• Runs on gas
Instant Heater
Pros:
• Tankless
• Installed in bathroom = low heat loss
Cons:
• Runs on electricity
Storage Heater
Pros:
• Tank has good insulation (8-10 hours)
Cons:
• Runs on electricity
• Heat loss in tank after 8 hours
Solar Heater
Pros:
• Runs on renewable energy
• Tank has good insulation (8-10 hours)
Cons:
• Relies on electricity during rain, haze, or at night
• Panel must be maintained to work efficiently
• Installed on roof = far from bathroom = heat loss
• Tank has heat loss after 8 hours
Heat Pump
Pros:
• Runs on renewable energy 24/7
• Tank has good insulation (8-10 hours)
Cons:
• Tank has heat loss after 8 hours