All,

Came across a visit to a house with Centralised water heater. It uses of electrical combustion tank stored at roof and supply the hot water through another piping system from normal water.

Question is, does this kinds of system is expensive to maintain? Do we need to switch on the heater all time? Or only switch it on before using it? How about electric consumption ???

Thanks in advance

As of what installed in my house, there’s 4 water heater tank above my ceiling which requires me to switch it on 15 minutes before usage (I have a timer, set to switch on immediately during certain hours of the day and the water heater tank has it’s own current cut-off system), whereby the water will go through copper pipes to all my 7 bathrooms, kitchen and laundry room.

The disadvantages are there’s no instant hot water and if the tank is empty, the heating rod will be damaged. The tank will only be empty if there’s no water going in and hot water going out.

Damage in cost: cooper pipe, water heater tank

Advantage in visual: no visible pipe that usually associated with instant water heater

It depend on ur house. If condo u jz need a small centralized water tank.
With mean u only able to use for 2-3bath room together.
Time of heat will abit slow if 3bathroom use at the same time. In this case u will turn the heat level higher then usual.
If 1person use it should be ok like normal wall mount water heater.
For better u need to upgrade ur DB so that power enough for ur water heater. Enough power u will safe from DB short circuit n enough power to heat to ur water heater when more then 1bathroom use at the same time.
U can added 2way switches so that u able on n off manually in each bathroom. No worry for copper pipe damage.

Nice to hear from both of your sharing! The only thing im not seen is the timer.. It is a direct switch located in master bedroom... Hmm... Seems the multiway switches is needed... So far the copper pipe supplies to 3 bath rooms only... Lol..

This post has been edited by wee1030: Aug 25 2013, 08:49 PM

Don't know why need timer. I have two storage heater I don't need to switch it n in advance if use it daily. When I use, just switch it on and use. after bath switch it off. The storage will retain the hot water for pretty long at least one day. So no need to advance switch it off. My second storage is at my daughter room only use it weekend. That I have to switch on earlier when I bath my kids because is off during weekday.

Will sure have no instant hot water out because the pipe carrying the hot water cool down when not use. Same for solar or gas.

Have been long talk about storage vs solar, search solar you fine the thread.

I have go hardware shop ask the copper piping price. Selling RM85 12 feet. Just now have go ask the storage water heater, he recommend me install 2 tank for 2 room. Is it need install 2 tank? Why 1 tank cannot?

Weikee,

Yes, I did notice the solar thread... But did not expected a discussion comparing to this type... So decided to open a new topic to ask noobie question. Thanks again on sharing it.

Have you survey which brands? Currently I also survey storage water heater too? Maybe we can share information.

Bro, I am not survey a new one. Read my first statement is I'm visiting a house which has the system..

Maybe taikors above could shared us some lights on the brands n price in the market now??? I'm also interest to know

Ok hope tailor here can guide us.

What is the size of the copper pipe? 1/2" or 3/4" ? L grade or M grade?

ha! got size one & grade? I don't know just go hardaware shop ask cooper piping price only. BTW if for storage or solar which one you prefer?

Not what I prefer. It is a plumbing spec rule that need to be follow. Cannot cincai 1.

Since you don't no, the boss maybe quote you higher.

Std size for hot water and interior is 1/2". For interior piping L grade is use. While exterior is M grade.

Tq so much. BTW are the piping have write down the size & grade? Interior means conceal & exterior in roof?

This post has been edited by petlu28: Aug 26 2013, 11:03 AM

No. Just by the look for experince people. Or measure it. Or trust the boss who sell it to you.

Exterior is refer to outside your house. Anything fall inside your house is interior. Grade is refer to the thickness of the pipe wall.

I think it is more cumbersome to maintain. Once the heater is down your house is totally down. Separate water heaters still guarantees other heaters to be available. There will also be significant heat loss due to long piping and the cost of long piping installation.

Cooper piping also need install outside? I just know from tank to mixer only.

In western country, it is pretty normal. Copper pipe is another choice for replacemnt rust GI pipe. Beside SS pipe.

Some old house do use copper pipe for outside. That time copper price very cheap mah.

OK you means from meter to inside house right?

yup.