Smart Water Heaters for SAFRA

By Amanda
July 15, 2025

When SAFRA Yishun underwent a massive renovation in December 2016 to upgrade their facilities, we worked with them closely to create an easy-to-use, energy saving solution.

Problems clubhouses and businesses face

The issues that SAFRA has with their current set up aren’t too different from the shower room situations faced by many clubhouses, serviced apartments and fitness centers in Singapore.

At any given point in time, they are:

Not sure which heaters are working until a customer lodges a complaint

Not sure which cubicles have run out of hot water

Cannot instantly attend to customer complaints of insufficient hot water

Because all their heaters are hidden above a false ceiling, this gives rise to a ‘black box’ situation where maintenance personnel have no idea what is going on or what they can do for their customers. There is no way to know which heaters are working, or which have insufficient hot water!

A. O. Smith heat pump water heaters

The heaters that SAFRA chose to solve their problem were A. O. Smith micro heat pump water heaters. These innovative systems employ the latest in green water heating technology, absorbing heat in the ambient air and transforming it to become useful hot water. They save 70% of electric costs and produce free cool air as a very welcome by-product. Find out more information about our Heat Pumps here.

Modified control panel

A. O. Smith micro heat pumps come with a neat control panel that may be detached from the body of the water heater and installed in a convenient position. Here is how they look in a residential setting:

SAFRA’s smart water heater command center

Replicating these modified panels for SAFRA gave them a really impressive outcome – a mini water heater control station. At a single glance, SAFRA can now tell:

If water heaters are down and call for service quickly

Which cubicles are out of hot water

Instant heat function

Heat pump water heaters also have a special ability to transform into super water heaters on days when the pool is experiencing overcapacity and shower rooms are overcrowded. This may happen during school holidays or peak periods.

At the touch of a button conveniently located on a panel, the water heater speeds up heating to give end users hot water in as quickly as 2 minutes! This is easily activated by SAFRA staff so they can now instantly attend to customer’s needs. No more complaints from users!

The end result?

SAFRA is now equipped with beautiful shower facilities which not only look good but work to their staff’s convenience. While water heaters fixed above the ceiling used to be a black box subject for them, they are now visible, energy efficient and easy to monitor.

More on heat pumps:

Heat pumps for Civil Service Club

Heat pumps for your home?

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Top 3 Construction Mistakes in Landed Homes & How to Avoid

Avoid Landed Home Nightmares!

Do you want to know the Top Construction Mistakes we hear about after owners shift in? You can avoid them all right at the start, during the construction phase. This can potentially save you so much money!

Problem 1: Roof is Dripping, But it's Not Raining!

The sky is clear, but water is mysteriously falling from your roof. What’s going on?

Mistake 1: Lack of Proper Drainage

Like an air con, a water heater drips water when running. If you have no proper drain point, that water will drip right off the roof, even on sunny days. That is really weird!

1-1 How to prevent this drip?

✅ Don't agree to a “free-flow” open roof. Always ask where the excess water will go.

✅ Have a drainage close to heater, within 1 meter, so that water can be neatly directed away.

Plan early. This can only be done during the construction stage.

Heater Installed in False Ceiling? You need to watch out for this mistake too.

Make sure your ceiling has a drainage point. Otherwise, water will always drip right onto your ceiling board and create ugly water patches!

Problem 2: No Hot Water in Some Bathrooms!

You step into your gorgeous new bathroom, turn on the tap, and… ice-cold water greets you. Meanwhile, the master bathroom is enjoying piping hot water. What is going on?

Mistake 2: Wrong Pipe Layout

If there is a mistake in pipe work of the hot water recirculation loop, some bathrooms will be blocked from getting hot water.

2-1 What is a Recirculation Loop?

It is a pipe loop that goes around the house. Hot water circulates through this loop.

Loop must be continuous.

Every bathroom tees off from the loop. This setup allows you to get hot water fast, compared to if you run a direct pipe from the heater to each bathroom.

2-2 Mistake: Loop is NOT continuous

❌ Will create dead zones, in blue. Dead zones will not get hot water.

Hot water will only run through the continuous loop, the yellow dotted part.

⚠️ To fix this, you’ll need to hack the walls. A very expensive and painful mistake.

As installers, we will test the heater to check if:

✅ Hot water is coming out at the heater. This confirms the heater is working.

✅ At least one bath has hot water. This confirms the circulating pump is working.

⚠️ If other baths do not get hot water, there is a pipe issue. Look for the person who did the pipes.

Even with experienced teams..

This Mistake Happens 30% of the Time

How Can You Prevent This?

Get more parties involved. Call your contractor, architect, and consultant to check and confirm that the loop is continuous.

The final responsibility is yours, if something goes wrong, you foot the bill! Make sure it’s done right at the start.

PDF: Schematic diagram, continuous loop

Problem 3: Ugly, Exposed Trunking on Your Beautiful Feature Wall

You've forked out a fortune for the a unique, textured wall.. only to have it ruined by a streak of cheap looking white casing running right across it. UGH.

Mistake 3: Forgot to Conceal Wires Early

Here is another mistake that happens way too often!

3-1 ❌ Forgot to Conceal Wire

The heater is at the roof and you are planning to place the control panel on the second floor. The panel wire is ready, but it has not been run and is left coiled up at the roof!

This wire must be concealed early, before the tiles are up. otherwise, you will get an exposed trunking right across your tiles. Unsightly!

3-2 How to Conceal Wire?

✅ Check, check, triple check that the wires are concealed

✅ If done right, you will see a wire box and the end of the cable hanging out out if.

✅ For best results, run only one wire in the conduit pipe.

Problem 4: Hidden Costs that Run into the Thousands $1000s of Dollars.

You were told that the installation would be $1000, but this figure ends up at $2000. What happened along the way?

Mistake 4: Forgot to Provide Compulsory Items

Before the renovation, you will get a checklist. Get these items ready early and you will save money. Here is how:

4-1 Gate valves
Negotiate for these early, and it will be included in the pipe work. If you forget and request for them later, it may cost you $150+

4-2 Isolator (Weatherproof Power Supply)
Be clear about the quantity and power rating early. Just like concealed wires, these need to be pre-planned.

If missed out, you will get:
❌ Ugly exposed wire tracks
❌ Higher chance of heater trips, no hot water!
❌ Long wait to get hot water

4-3 Scaffolding / Crane
Huge bonus tip that can save you One Thousand Dollars! If your heater needs to be lifted to the roof, you may need additional scaffolding or crane.

The good news is, you may not have to pay for these extras if you plan well. There is a good chance your main contractor or aircon supplier will be using this lifting equipment for other works.

Time your heater installation so that you can piggy back on scaffolding or the crane while it is at the site. This saves you a lot of time, and you don't need to pay twice. Do it early! If you miss the boat, too bad.

Don't Forget! You'll Have to Pay Penalties.

These 4 mistakes are all about 'forgetting'. It happens in 70% of houses. Don't be too trusting or naive to think it won't happen to you!

The good part is that they can be avoided. Here are some tips for your success.

✅ Double Check. Use the checklist, don't skip.

✅ Cross Check. Get others involved. Don't leave it to just one company or one person.

✅ Get Involved. You don't need to do everything, but at least watch out.

Construction Mistakes FAQ

Can my contractor install the heat pump?

Heat pumps are specialised heaters that require care and professional handling. It is best if your Heat pumps are installed by water heater specialists.

Can I Install a booster pump to increase water pressure?

Installing a pressure pump in your home will certainly increase your water pressure but this is not legal in Singapore. This is because a pressure pump draws water pressure away from your neighbours.

If all your neighbours are experiencing water pressure problems, it is advisable to contact your Town Council or MCST for a solution.

What Heaters Can I Use My Climate Vouchers On?

The Climate Vouchers can only be used to purchase energy-efficient household water heaters like heat pumps.

Climate Vouchers cannot be used for other types of water heaters.

What floor should heat pumps be installed at for best water pressure?

You can install heat pumps at any level of the house. The water pressure will not be affected.

You will get the maximum possible water pressure at your shower. This is because the heat pump is a pressurised storage tank.

You will only get lower water pressure if you are using an instant or gas water heater.

What are you looking for?