Repair Your Heater – 6 Things to Know: A Singaporean Homeowner’s Guide

Leaking Heater troubles?

Are you seeing wet patches on your false ceiling?

Has your heater suddenly stopped producing hot water?

Before you jump into a repair decision, here are 6 crucial things every homeowner needs to know about repairing water heaters.

1. Repair Costs are High in Singapore

In Singapore, labor costs for repairs are high.

If your water heater is no longer under warranty, it might not always be financially prudent to repair it.

Consider investing in a heater with a long local onsite warranty to cover repairs during this period.

Go for repairs if only it is a minor fault.

2. Only Repair Minor Faults

Understand what qualifies as a minor fault. Minor faults are:
  • External wiring issues
  • Isolated wire melts
  • Thermostat trips that just need a reset
Major faults are:
  • Heater leaks
  • Frequent repairs, anything more than 2 faults
Don’t jump into a repair unless the issue is genuinely minor. This will save you unnecessary expenses.
Also good to know: When to Replace or Repair Your Heater? 

3. Only Repair New Heaters

Quality matters.

A good water heater can work smoothly for over a decade without needing a single repair.

If you find yourself fixing small parts frequently, consider upgrading to a more reliable brand.

Better brands do not need constant repairs and ensure long-term satisfaction.

This will also save your precious time.

4. Engage the Right Repair Specialist

Opting for a specialist can save you money. Don’t just get anyone to do the job.

A great tip is to go back to the authorised brand distributor to avoid unnecessary expenses.

These specialists sometimes have the expertise to access heaters in false ceilings without additional ceiling works.

If you’re unfamiliar, read reviews on google to get a better understanding of a company’s service.

5. Repairable vs. Non-Repairable Components

Know what can and cannot be repaired in a water heater.

Familiarise yourself with the list of repairable items to make informed decisions.

Understanding the limitations will guide you in deciding whether a repair is feasible or if a replacement is necessary.

Repairable
  • Circuit board
  • Heating element
  • Thermostat
  • Relief valve
  • Wiring
Non-Repairable
  • Inner tank
  • Inlet
  • Outlet
  • Heater jacket

6. Your Warranty Provider Matters

Your warranty provider plays a significant role.

There are companies who prioritise customer satisfaction.

Even if your warranty is over, some provide support and troubleshooting assistance over the phone.

There are also warranty providers who do not offer phone support. Instead, they charge a flat service fee for onsite inspection.

Conclusion

Making informed decisions about water heater repairs is crucial for homeowners in Singapore.

Consider the cost, identify minor faults, prioritise quality, choose the right people to work with, understand repairable components, and value your warranty provider.

By following these insights, you can navigate water heater issues effectively and make decisions that benefit your home and your wallet!
Still have questions? WhatsApp Chat With an Expert Here
Order placed with miss ada the arrangement is fast! All questions are professionally replied & answered. No hard selling and not pushy. 👍🏼

Installer: Kalam & Shamemul the reached on time. Installation works very smooth and I am advice accordingly. Very happy getting served by the whole team of aosbath ❤️

Product quality was nice & sleek however yet to test the durability. Overall it’s alway highly recommended. Will intro more friends to install this storage heater & 👍🏼 A value for money product & service keep it up guys!!!
Ah Shawn
Google review
Great service and fast response! My old electric water heater broke down right before Chinese New Year and I needed urgent replacement. AOS Bath replied my enquiry really quickly and provided advice on which model was suitable for me. An installation was even done within the week despite wide spread lack of manpower. Stable hot water, and my water pressure is stronger now. I also recommended to my relative who installed too.
HM Tan
Google review

FAQ About Heater Repairs

What should I do if my water heater is leaking?
If you have a leaking water heater, it is advisable to get it fixed as soon as possible. The leak starts off slow at first but will eventually get worse. Even a small quantity of water can cause a large amount of damage to your false ceiling.
Unlike a contractor or plumber, a water heater specialist only deals with water heaters and thus, has more specialised experience with the pipes, drainage and water pressure related to it. You can expect higher standards and proficiency, especially when it comes to choosing the right heater for your family, false ceiling works and water pressure. A general plumber is not necessarily proficient in these detailed aspects of the water heater and its related components.
Heater trips may occur because one of the safety features have failed, or the heating element may be faulty, causing a short circuit.

The quality of the water heater components is important. If they are not well tested, you may find your heater breaking down every 1 to 2 years and having to continually pay a service charge to get the system fixed.
There are different types of leaks

If heater is dripping from the relief valve:  A relief valve that is in normal working condition should drip tiny droplets of water. If the heater is positioned in a dry portion of the bathroom, a tube should be attached from the valve to the heater for proper drainage. If the tube has fallen out, reconnect it.

Stream of water from relief valve: A relief valve should drip but if it emits a stream of water, something is wrong. Power off your heater and contact us immediately.

Leak from heater inlet and outlet: This may indicate a leak from the internal tank. If this is so, the heater may have to be replaced.

Leak from heater pipes: If the leak appears to be coming from the pipes, the pipes need to be re-tightened. In this situation, contact your heater installer.

Other Posts

Avoid These 6 Warranty Pitfalls at All Costs

Beware of a Too-Good-to-be-True, Ultra Long Warranty!

Don’t be me. I learnt this the hard way buying my Samsonite luggage. Buying a "lifetime" warranty seemed like the best deal. Until I brought it in to change a part that fell out.

Then they pulled out this crazy list of terms and conditions that made me give up.

For appliances like water heaters, the concept is the same. Not all warranties are equal. Understand this before you buy. Know what to look out for. This will save you precious time and emotional frustration.

1. Keep Your Eyes Peeled for a 'Full Warranty'. This is the Best Type of Warranty and Very Rare. Go for FULL Coverage Whenever Possible.

Full warranties are scarce and hard to find.

Good news is... 'hard to find' does not mean it is impossible to find.

You want this Full Warranty because it protects you more than it protects the company. That is the idea right?

You want to be fully covered to be exempt from paying for hidden costs. This needs to cover everything from labour, parts cost and transport. A full onsite warranty.

The only thing that is not covered are installation faults. But it is fair to exclude this from coverage. If your installer damaged the product because of his lack of skill.. then you go after the installer.

2. Don't Just Get Full Coverage... Get the LONGEST Possible Full Coverage.

When buying stuff at Harvey Norman, they always ask if you want to upgrade your warranty and add 2 to 5 years to it.

While it's always tempting to think, Nahhhh. I've already spent $5k on this fridge!! Why would I want to top up YET another $800 bucks for incidents I cannot forsee??

WELL. Life is about planning for incidents you cannot forsee. And from personal experience, Extended warranties have saved my wallet more than half the time. So grateful for buying the extension for the last few big-cap electronic purchases. I put my faith there!
In Singapore, the average lifespan of a heater is 5 years. This means many heater companies will give you a 1 Year Full warranty.

Better brands last longer, so they go up to 3 Years Full warranty.

If your home situation is long-term, aim for 3 years. You save more in the long run going for quality and the longest possible warranty coverage.

If I don't Have a 'Full Warranty'... What am I Getting?

If what you have on your hands isn't a full warranty... You may have a partial warranty.

In that case, you have to be extra careful.

Partial warranties cover only certain parts

3. Now Hang On Tight, Don’t Fall off Your Chair... We’re Coming to the Most Well Kept Secret About Partial Warranties..

Of course a partial warranty sounds appealing!! Who doesn't like the sound of a 10-year warranty? But they are misleading and even a tad dishonest.

Let me let you in on a secret. A 10-year warranty on a heating element might seem like a great deal.. but the industry secret is that the heating element rarely fails. It’s the other parts like wires and thermostats that will need repair sooner. If these aren’t covered, you could end up paying out of pocket for repairs.

Usually, companies who play this game are not interested in servicing you. They are excited to find out if you’ve exceeded your 1-year warranty. Then they can slap on some charges for back end sales. It's a horrible way to do business.

Be wary of those partial warranties!!
Heating elements are hardly ever replaced.. in all my years of being in the heater industry, I’ve only seen elements break down less than 5 times!!

4. Trust me on This, for Heaters.. Always Buy Local. Forget That Awesome Deal You Saw on Taobao.

Absolutely NO taobao for water heaters!! It will be the worst decision ever.

You need a local warranty. If there's a problem.. there is no way you can fix it yourself. You are not superman!!! Even if you ARE Superman, you have no Time!!

When you buy local, you're actually buying access to a valuable local support network.

I've heard horror stories of unapproved heaters bought online that fail at the worst times. Imagine: Chinese New Year no hot water?!! Your wife and kids are giving you pressure? Now good luck getting support over taobao chat.

Actually, at that point you’ll need more than luck to survive.

Don't ruin things for yourself. Always buy local when it comes heaters. Thank me later.
Heaters are one of the hardest appliances to troubleshoot.

5. Hidden Costs Here, Hidden Costs There, Hidden Costs EVERYWHERE!

If normal transport charges are $100+... Why are you getting charged $250????

I've heard this happen to people who are still locked in under their 'warranty period'. They can't go to a 3rd party to repair or their warranty may be void. It's a minor wire repair but they have to cough up hundreds $$$$$.

They are stuck in what we call a ‘bo-pian’ or no-choice situation.

It is downright dreadful, but sad to say.. This kind of back-end sales tactic has happened before and will happen again.

Out of frustration, some even decide to change their whole heater to another brand. It’s a good move because you avoid dealing with dishonesty.

On the other hand, it’s very expensive…

You can avoid this heartache by doing some homework. Buy from a reputable company.

6. Whenever Possible, Buy Direct from the Main Distributor

When I bought my first Dyson.. I went to a Reputable department store along Orchard Road. They were running a promo I couldn't resist.

Things went fine as long until my Dyson stopped working.. then the nightmares began. I got thrown around department after department of red tape.

Need to check invoice.
Need to look up sales person.
Oh.. Must send to HQ for inspection.
Now we need to order special parts.

It was a simple problem but so many layers of people and paperwork. Drove me nuts.
From that I learnt my lesson, always buy direct.

Now I get my Dyson from the main distributor. Their turnover is fast. I have absolute confidence I'm getting the latest version free from bugs and defects.

If they have issues with a model, they are upfront and transparent with me. Because I am their direct customer, they will take care of me first.
Response is also much faster!!

Sometimes, they also waive charges. Now, I'm not saying to go in with the expectation of free service. Everyone has to earn a fair wage. But I can feel the difference in the quality of customer service.

Same idea with water heaters. Want faster service? Buy direct.

7. Are You Serviced By a Bot or a Human Being?

Of course you can tell. Everything is different when it's a real person on the other end of the line.

Service is faster.

Arrangements are flexible.

You get accurate answers.

Because a real person understands your needs. A bot doesn't.

Conclusion

Singaporeans and hot water have a special relationship. We take it for granted when it is there, but we go crazy when deprived of it!!

Understanding your water heater warranty can make or break your hot water experience.

Hope the tips I’ve shared here on warranties will help you in some way!