Replace Or Repair Your Water Heater? 7 Important Considerations.

Replace Repair Water Heaters hand temp control

When it comes to your home's comfort, few appliances are as crucial as your water heater. However like any other appliance, water heaters have a lifespan.

The burning question with water heater issues is: should you replace or repair your water heater?

In this article, we'll explore 7 factors to consider when making this decision, ensuring you make an informed choice that best suits your needs and budget.

1. Age of the Water Heater

One of the primary factors influencing your decision is the age of your water heater. On average, most water heaters have a lifespan of over 10 years or more with proper maintenance.

If your water heater is new and below 5 years, repairing it might be a cost-effective solution.

If your water heater is approaching the end of its expected lifespan, go for a replacement. Older water heaters often become less efficient, leading to higher energy bills. They are also more prone to leaks, which can result in bigger damages.
water heater old rusty leak tank

2. Condition of the Water Heater

If your system is experiencing minor issues, it makes sense to do a quick repair of the heater. Examples of minor issues:

Whistling, high pitched sounds:  The relief valve is an external safety feature fixed on the cold water pipe. When faulty, it will make noise. It is easily replaced. 

Leaking pipes: can be solved by simply tightening joints.

Power trips: If your water trips often, your thermostat may be faulty. Faulty thermostats are an easy fix
water pressure relief valve sound panel gen 6 hdb bto
heater tank leaking ceiling
If the water heater is facing a major breakdown, it is better to replace it. Examples of a major breakdown:

Tank leak: If a heater's internal tank is leaking, there is nothing a repairman can do to fix it. Replace the entire system quickly or the leak will get worse and lead to more damages.

Is your heater leaking now? Here Are 6 Things You Need to Do Right Away.

3. Repair Costs vs. Replacement Costs

Another crucial factor in your decision-making process is comparing the repair costs to the cost of a new water heater.

Low repair cost: If the repair is minor and won't break the bank, it might make sense to opt for a repair. Anything below $150 is considered a minor repair.

High repair cost: If your repair estimate is significant and approaches or even exceeds the cost of a new water heater, it's time to think about replacing the unit. In such cases, investing in a new water heater can provide peace of mind and potentially save you money in the long run.
Maintain water heater kalam teamaos

4. Was it a Low Cost Unit?

An important question to ask yourself is how much your heater cost versus the repair works.

If your heater was a super low cost $200, don't spend too much effort repairing it. You will get more value investing in a new and more advanced heater.

5. Were You the Original Owner?

If this heater is from a pre-owned property, you should replace the heater. Unless you are certain of its condition and regular maintenance, it is not advisable to re-use it.

Also, many warranties don't cover second hand owners.

Regular Maintenance is Crucial to Disinfecting Your Heater. 
original owner Gen6

6. How Efficient is the Heater?

Modern water heaters are significantly more energy-efficient than their older counterparts. If your current water heater is an outdated, low efficiency model, a replacement can lead to substantial long-term savings on your energy bills.

Newer heaters are designed to meet higher energy efficiency standards, which means they heat water more effectively and consume less energy in the process.

Choosing an energy-efficient water heater not only benefits your wallet but also reduces your environmental footprint.
heat pumps electric heater $1 electricity hot water

7. Have You Asked an Expert?

While the factors mentioned above provide a general guideline for your decision-making process, it's essential to consult with a heater specialist before making the final choice.

Specialists have the expertise to assess your heater, pointing out factors you may have missed. They can also give you a tailored solution, with recommendations to upgrade or downsize your heater to suit your household's current usage.

Together, these will help you make an informed choice.
showroom 178 client

In Conclusion..

Whether you should replace or repair your water heater depends on several critical factors.

If in doubt, just ask a heater specialist. Seeking advice won't cost you a cent. Why not speak to us? Our friendly water heater team is ready to give you some free advice over WhatsApp Chat. By making an informed decision, you can enjoy a reliable source of hot water with peace of mind. 

Replace or Repair Heater FAQ

Are burning smells normal?
A burning smell is an sign of wiring issues. Either the wiring is too old or too thin.

Either way, you are at a risk of a short circuit that may lead to fires. Re-wire your electric track or change the water heater for your safety.
At AOS Bath, we understand how crucial it is to have a functional heater, especially if you have infants or elderly at home. While our standard procedure involves requesting clients to provide us with at least one week’s advance notice for heater replacements, we also recognise that certain situations may be more urgent.

Under critical circumstances, we will make every effort to accommodate your request for a same-day heater replacement. Please keep in mind that same-day replacements may be subject to availability, and our team will need to assess the specific situation to determine if it can be arranged. To request a same-day heater replacement, please contact our customer service team as soon as possible, and we will do our utmost to assist you promptly.
The cost of replacing a heater in Singapore typically ranges from $500 to $1500, with the final price depending on factors such as the type and size of the heater chosen. If the installation location is above a false ceiling, additional charges of approximately $300 may apply due to the increased complexity of the ceiling works, which usually involve the need for two skilled professionals to handle the replacement and installation.

Fortunately, most installation services also include disposal of the old heater, providing a comprehensive solution for homeowners.

6 Reasons Why a Tankless Heater May Be Better Than A Storage Heater

Stiebel Eltron BathBox Tankless Heater
So, you’re in the market for a tankless heater. Whether it’s because you noticed a leak in your old water heater, if you think it’s time you replaced your old one, or you’re getting a new one for your new BTO, we’re here to recommend the tankless water heater.

1. No Heat-Loss, Save 30% Energy

A tankless heater only runs when water is flowing. A storage heater pre-heats water for you and stores it in a tank. This tank can lose heat. That is why tankless uses less energy than a storage heater. It can save up to 30%, which is better for your monthly bills.

Apart from lowering your bills, all tankless heaters come with a water-saving device. Your water usage goes down by 20%, and you still have a good shower at 7 litres/min. But just how efficient is the tankless heater?

The National Environment Agency (NEA) introduced the Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS) to allow you to compare the two heaters and make informed purchases. The tankless heater has 4 ticks, whereas the storage heater only has 1 tick. NEA estimates that this helps you save up to $120 a year!

2. Space-Saving and Easy Installation

Storage heater comes in tank sizes of 30 to 100 litres. Tankless heaters have no tank, so they take up less space. A small heater is easy to install in a false ceiling as it is space saving. That's why your installation will cost less with tankless.

A bonus with tankless heaters is that you get to skip messy ceiling works that can cost up to an extra $500.

The installation of a storage heater, including ceiling works, is about $1500. Compare this to a tankless heater, which costs about $900 to install.

This is what ceiling works looks like:
false ceiling gen 1 electric heater tank cut
Because of this, some creative clients save on huge costs by choosing not to change back to a storage tank. How?

They leave their storage heater in the false ceiling, and get us to fix in a tankless heater in the same false ceiling. We disconnect the pipes from the old storage heater and connect to the new tankless.

Doing this, you can save on ceiling works $200 + removal cost $250. The only catch is that you need to use a hand shower. Rain showers do not run well with tankless heaters.

No problem for most people, some of us prefer hand showers anyway.
Storage and Tankless Heater Installed Together

3. Tankless Heaters: No Need to Maintain

Discolored water being drained brown water hose basin white flush tank
You need to maintain a storage heater tank every 3 years. This costs about $200 each time. The water needs to be flushed out to clear any sediments that are stuck there. This is the same for all storage heaters.

Sediments make your water yellow so you need to do this. If you have a landed home with multiple heaters, this cost goes up.

With tankless heaters, life is easy. No need to maintain these at all as they have no tank.
Comparison of Maintenance of Storage vs Tankless Heater
Simply enjoying how sleek it is for a water heater. Installer Bee is also wonderful in explaining the various positions for the installation before made my decision in this placement. He also took effort to clean up after the installation works. 👍 ...
Aurgus Chang Bathbox Heater Google Review
Aurgus Chang
Google review
Bathbox installation done by Mr.Moez. Great service by him and really like how clean and neat the Bathbox look
Afiq Hamizan Bathbox Heater Google Review
Afiq Hamizan
Google review

4. No Fear of Leaks with Tankless Heaters

Storage heaters can leak and cause damage. This is something every false ceiling owner has to put up with at some point. To prevent this, some choose to change their heaters before they get too old.

This is where the tankless heater shines. No tank = No leaks. That is why the tankless water heater could be an easier choice for you.
leak false ceiling water damage tank water heater

5. Tankless Heaters can Give You Infinite Hot Water

Ever wanted to take a long long shower after a long long day? You can do that with the tankless heater. With a tankless, water gets heated non-stop. This means that the hot water you get goes on forever. You can jump straight in the shower, with no worries that you'll run out of hot water half way.
If your family takes long showers one after another, you may run out with a storage heater. A tankless heater however, gives you infinite hot water. It just keeps going, as long as you aren't using a rain shower. You also can't use multiple bathrooms at the same time because of the lower flow rate.

If you are unsure if the tankless is a good choice for you, feel free to take an easy quiz here! We'll help you with that.
Speed of Tankless Heaters

6. Tankless is Safer for Kids and Elderly

Sometimes on a rainy day, the water at my shower takes longer to heat up because of the cooler cold water. I get impatient and turn the lever all the way to the left (high) and suddenly, the water is way too hot! I often jump back due to the high temperature and quickly turn the tap off. I bet this has happened to you at least once if you have storage heaters.

Many of us have ageing parents or grandparents. They might not be able to react so quickly. Luckily, the tankless heater has a special function not known to many.

Storage heaters can reach up to 70°C, which is a temperature that can scald. The tankless heater allows you to set it to a safe temperature of 50°C. This temperature control setting protects the elderly from injury as it is not so high. This setting also prevents young children at home from getting hurt.
Tankless Heater Safer for Elderly and Children

Why We Choose Stiebel Eltron Tankless Heater

Stiebel Eltron is the # 1 tankless heater supplier in the world. Established in Germany a 100 years ago, they have the best tankless technology. We like these good brands as they make stuff that is durable and long-lasting. An added bonus is how slim it is, allowing it to fit in the tighest space.

In Singapore, our labour cost is high. You don't want to waste money changing to a new heater every 3 years. You want something that can last you around 10 years. Stiebel Eltron can.


We also provide a 3 year full warranty on branded heaters like Stiebel. This is the longest heater warranty in Singapore. The average warranty for other brands are only 1 year.

A good brand is worth investing in. It will spare you the mess that comes with constantly replacing new heaters.
Stiebel Eltron BathBox Tankless Heater HDB Installation made in Germany
Moez came to help us replace our faulty storage heater with the AOS bath box! So slim and sleek looking. Very pleased with the hot water and pressure in both our toilets
google review J
Jac
Google review
Just installed a tankless bathbox at my owner house, Thanks to the installer, Shamemul, for his patience and cooperation during the installation. The tank looks sleek and space-saving compared to the other storage heater brands👍
Afiq Hamizan Bathbox Heater Google Review
Afiq Hamizan
Google review

Conclusion

With storage water heaters requiring more maintenance in the long-run, why not stick with the easy way out?

Not only will the tankless heater be a good addition to your household, it will also help save on your energy bills. The tankless heater can do this while giving you good water pressure for comfortable showers as well. It can also keep your family members, both young and old, safe from burns.

The BathBox is worth your time. Simple and direct, just like it's design, your save on space and energy starts now.

Tankless Heater FAQ

How is the tankless heater different from the instant heater?
Tankless heaters are totally different from Instant heaters.

• Tankless has a more advanced technology. They produce better flow rates of 7 lit/min. Instant heaters only go up to 5 lit/min.

• If you have 2 bathrooms, you can use 1 tankless piped to 2 baths. This is the ideal setup for BTOs. If you choose to install an instant heater, you need 2 heaters plus extra pipe work. Instant may end up costing you more, and your shower won't feel as good with the lower water pressure.
If you want to test the water pressure before deciding on the BathBox, feel free to visit us at our showroom here.

We have a working model available to test it out.
The tankless heater is better investment if you have a BTO.

The installation will also be neater, with no visible pipes.

Here are the approx costs:
Tankless Heater FAQ Tankless vs Instant Heater Cost of Installation

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