Regular Maintenance = Longer Lifespan
A typical water heater in Singapore lasts around five years, if you’re lucky.
Why settle for cheap?
Forget about flimsy heaters that can barely last 5 years. Don't throw away good, hard earned money like that.
Here's a golden rule to live by:
Cheap thing no good, good thing no cheap
It is smarter to invest in a heater that saves you money in the long run, by lasting over 10 years.
A. O. Smith water heaters are legends. These tanks are built to last over a decade. This AOS heater from Chiltern Park Condo ran for an astonishing 25 years before it got changed. That’s what I call getting your money’s worth.
Here are 6 tips to maintain your heater like a pro. Let’s make that investment of yours pay off.
Why do You Need to Maintain a Water Heater?
Did you know that authorities recommend you maintain your water heater regularly, every three years, in fact? Here’s the proof in black and white: an official circular spells it out.
But here’s the catch with most water heater companies... They’re just resellers. They’re focused on closing the deal, not on helping you maintain your heater to stand the test of time. If your heater spoils earlier? Good, they can make another sale. That’s why they’ll never tell you about the importance of maintenance. We do.
Really, it’s no surprise. If you want anything to work well and last long, you’ve got to take care of it. Think about it. Don’t we send our cars for servicing regularly? Or maintain our air-conditioner every 6 months? The water heater is no different.
At AOS Bath, we take this seriously. That’s why we make it our responsibility to remind you every 3 years when your heater is due for routine service.
But here’s the surprising part: many people balk at the cost of maintenance, asking if it’s really compulsory. Here’s the truth. Unlike a car, it’s not legally required to maintain your water heater. But if you skip it? Your heater’s lifespan shrinks—and that’s going to cost you a lot more in the long run.
Don’t fall into the trap of short-term thinking, do the math! What does it mean if your water heater could potentially last five times longer than the cheap one you’ve been replacing every few years? It means massive savings! You'll save on:- Cost of new heater
- Labour cost
- Your wasted time (insert your hourly rate x 3)
Add it all up, and the numbers don’t lie. imagine skipping all that hassle and cost, stretching every single dollar you’ve spent on your heater by making it last as long as possible. That’s the power of regular maintenance.
1. Maintain Every 3 Years, Don't Miss an Appointment.
Your water heater is the highest wattage appliance in your home, running at a hefty 3000 watts. Proper safety maintenance is non-negotiable. Keep your family safe.
Here’s what we do:
Inspect loose connections: Loose wires are a recipe for disaster.
Check heater switch and isolator wires: Are the wires melted or at risk of melting? Are they the correct size for your heater? Undersized wires can overheat and melt easily, causing power trips—or worse. If we find anything amiss, we’ll reconnect or replace as needed.
Verify installation quality: If your heater wasn’t installed by our team, we’ll ensure the setup is safe and up to standard.
External tank inspection: A visual check ensures everything is in good shape and there are no hidden hazards.
Can you tell: which is the right wire for your heater?
Maintaining safety isn’t just important. It is essential. And if something doesn’t meet the mark? We fix it on the spot.
2. Lower Your Thermostat Settings to 50ºC to Extend Lifespan of Heater
A Simple Thing You can do on your own
As your water heater heats and cools, its internal tank expands and contracts. This will strain the tank over time. The higher the temperature, the greater the stress.
Most water heaters come set at 70ºC by default, but lowering this to 50ºC can reduce thermal expansion and extend your heater’s lifespan.
When you can, set the thermostat to 50ºC. For digital heaters, it is easy to adjust at the panel.
From our experience, 50 ºC is plenty for a family of four. But don’t set the temperature below 50ºC. More on that here.
Glad that they sent me a reminder to service my 40L tank.
Two great service guys came on time, gave a phone call heads up. They cleaned the tank and video recorded the dirty water being flushed out.
Job done quickly. Am still happy that I installed AOS bath water tank. 5 years still good.
Two great service guys came on time, gave a phone call heads up. They cleaned the tank and video recorded the dirty water being flushed out.
Job done quickly. Am still happy that I installed AOS bath water tank. 5 years still good.
Wilfred Toh
Google review
Today Bee and Shamemul from AOS Bath came down to do maintenance an flushing for my 4Yrs old 100L Aosmith digital storage heater, They did a great job and they are meticulous on what they are doing.
They make sure the heater is totally clean and checked every part for any defects or problem, they even change the plumbing nuts that show sign of wear and tear.
With them doing the maintenance, I am confident that my heater will last even longer down the road.
They make sure the heater is totally clean and checked every part for any defects or problem, they even change the plumbing nuts that show sign of wear and tear.
With them doing the maintenance, I am confident that my heater will last even longer down the road.
Bit Bur
Google review
3. If Your Water Pressure Gets Too High, Lower it.
The good news is that in Singapore, over 95% of households have steady and consistent incoming water pressure. But when it’s not, it can throw your heater off.
Water heaters love 2-3 bars of pressure. Go too high, and you’re speeding up wear and tear. Not just of your heater, but also your mixer, taps, and shower heads.
If your pressure gets too high all of a sudden, call Town Council or your MCST. They can solve the issue.
Water pressure reading on this gauge here is off the charts!!
3. Heat Pumps Need a Chemical Clean to Keep Efficiency High
This chemical clean is essential for efficiency. Heat pump maintenance isn’t optional, it is compulsory. Without regular cleaning, your system is at serious risk of clogging, and trust me, you don’t want that.
Here’s what we do during a heat pump chemical clean:
Clean the air filter: Ensures smooth airflow and optimal performance.
Inspect the fan blades: Removes dirt buildup to maintain efficiency.
Check for refrigerant leaks: Catches issues early before they escalate.
You must maintain your heat pump every three years to prevent damage to the compressor. A neglected heat pump could end up running at less than 75% efficiency, and if that happens, your heat pump may never fully recover. Considering a heat pump is a $3,000 to $10,000 investment, protecting it with regular maintenance is the smart choice to maximise its lifespan and recoup your investment.
Compressor breathes in air from outside and traps lots of dust. Time for a professional chemical clean!
Heat Pump Maintenance is the same as Aircon Maintenance
We service our air conditioners like our water heaters.
An air conditioner’s filters, coils, and fins need regular cleaning to keep it running on high efficiency. If you don't maintain this, performance takes a nosedive, and energy bills soar.
A heat pump works on the same principle.
Maintain your heat pump well and your energy bills will stay low.
Crazy things happen when you don't maintain that heater well.
I have a AOS heat pump water heater which has been serving me very well over the past 3 years. It is energy efficient and not a day of down time since installation.
Made an appointment with Aos Bath for maintenance today and Kalam was the technician assigned. He arrived promptly and did a great job cleaning up the heat pump and flushing the water tank and it is now working like new.
Kalam did a measurement of the water pressure before he left and the reading was a good strong 4 bar, as high as the first day it was installed. He also help to clean up the area after his job. Thumbs up for Aos bath and Kalam.
Made an appointment with Aos Bath for maintenance today and Kalam was the technician assigned. He arrived promptly and did a great job cleaning up the heat pump and flushing the water tank and it is now working like new.
Kalam did a measurement of the water pressure before he left and the reading was a good strong 4 bar, as high as the first day it was installed. He also help to clean up the area after his job. Thumbs up for Aos bath and Kalam.
WU CHUAN TOK
Google review
Thank you both Moez and Sumon for their excellent service. Installed AOS heater storage 4 years ago.. they sent reminder after 3 years of installation for safety maintenance which I only did so after 4 years loll..
So far AOS heater storage is working in excellent condition. The water pressure is good, the heating of instant hot water is fast, the temperature of hot water in the tank is consistent and heat up and stored real fast. The servicing teams commented my tank is pretty clean which i guess the auto cleaning feature is really functioning real well.
Thank you AOS for your excellent service team, excellent product & excellent service be it pre or post sale. Will definitely recommend AOS to anyone who is looking for a good quality water heater storage system. Thank you!! Million thumbs up!!!
So far AOS heater storage is working in excellent condition. The water pressure is good, the heating of instant hot water is fast, the temperature of hot water in the tank is consistent and heat up and stored real fast. The servicing teams commented my tank is pretty clean which i guess the auto cleaning feature is really functioning real well.
Thank you AOS for your excellent service team, excellent product & excellent service be it pre or post sale. Will definitely recommend AOS to anyone who is looking for a good quality water heater storage system. Thank you!! Million thumbs up!!!
Lynn & Vynn
Google review
4. Watch Your Tank Flush out Sand and Dirt for Instant Satisfaction.
Seeing all that gunk wash out of your water heater is shocking and oddly gratifying.
Why? Singapore has some of the cleanest water in the world!
True, but let’s not forget, we live in high-rise buildings, and nearly every HDB or condo has a massive water tank sitting above. These tanks get an annual cleaning. This clean is to remove dirt that comes in from the pipes. What it tells me is that dirt can still get in there.
Water tanks on rooftop of HDB flats.
Just like these water tanks, your home’s storage water heater also collects dirt over time. Water doesn’t arrive at your tap magically clean, it travels long distances, picking up sediments and tiny particles along the way.
Without a filtration system to intercept them, these impurities settle in your water heater and stay there. Over time, this leads to:
Rust and brown water: We’ve seen this happen as soon as three years after installation.
Bacteria and viruses: These thrive in stagnant water.
Tank flushing wall hung heaters in HDB.
Take a look at what we flush out during maintenance. When you see yellow, murky water filling the pail, you know that’s what’s been sitting in your water heater.
This will motivate you to maintain your heater on time.
If tight ceiling spaces or awkward heater position prevent a full tank flush, don't sweat it.
The vital part of our checks lie in the details you don't see. We focus on your wiring, safety devices, and electric connections. This keeps your heater is safe and reliable.
Large, floor standing water heaters in landed homes.
5. No Maintenance for over 7 Years? Don't Start Now.
If your heater has been in use for over 7 years without any prior maintenance, don't maintain it now.
We don't want to meddle with old hardened pipe joints or parts. It may lead to issues like leaks or damage, due to wear and tear over time.
6. Add a Pre-Filter. It Stops Dirt from Going into the Heater Everyday, and Extends Tank Life.
Want to take your water quality to the next level? Here’s a pro tip: Install a Pre-Filter! While regular tank flushing is great, you can't do it every year. That’s where a pre-filter steps in as your everyday defender against sediments.
What are they? Pre-filters are installed before the heater. They catch visible sediments from pipe and block them from settling in your tank.
With a Pre-filter, you can:
1. Flush out sediments every few weeks:
2. Enjoy cleaner water with less dirt build up in the tank.
3. Get longer lifespan by preventing sand from entering your water heater. This reduces internal wear on the tank.
If you value pristine water, a pre-filter is the upgrade you didn’t know you needed.
Conclusion
A well-maintained water heater isn’t just about long life. It is about maximising every dollar spent and avoiding unnecessary hassles.
Is Your Heater Maintenance Due? Direct purchase AOS Bath can get auto SMS reminders every 3 years. Need maintenance sooner? Reach out to us over WhatsApp. Maintenance is exclusively for AOS Bath heaters, not for other brands.
Take care of your heater, and it will take care of your wallet.
Maintenance FAQ
What happens if my false ceiling is too tight?
We will not do a tank flush. If your inlet and outlet are too close to the ceiling boards, we may damage your ceiling or heater. Not to worry. Although tank flushing looks cool, it is not the most important part of maintenance.
Leave it to us to decide. At the end of the day, your priority is our priority. We want to leave you with a heater that works well for years to come.
What is a flow rate check?
After a tank maintenance, we recommend a flow rate check.
Water pressure changes can sometimes dislodge sediments lurking in your pipes. These can find their way into bath mixers, affecting your flow. That’s why we run flow rate checks at the common and master bathroom shower points to ensure everything’s in the clear.
Here’s a heads-up: if privacy concerns mean we can’t access your master bathroom, no problem. But we strongly recommend doing a quick check on the spot while our team is there. Why? Catching any issue right away saves you from the hassle (and possible extra transport costs) of calling us back later.
Flow and pressure may seem minor, but they’re key to a happy, healthy water heater. Maintain this and you can ensure smooth showers and fewer headaches down the line.
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