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.

Understand now. My friend have install S/S piping for water direct drinking. Are i need install cooper piping or S/S piping from exterior if install storage or solar?

Your 1 is old house or new house?

New house. will VP soon. BTW are water pump will make piping leaking after using few years?

Aiyah, new house no need waste money to change pipe lah. Can last another 15yrs more yrs. Belanja me abalone better lah.

Control the pressure to std pressure will not cause your pipe leak easlly. But very much depend on your developer quality workmanship plumbing.

Hahaha no problem sir. Now i thinking install 2 storage tank. 1 tank for master bathroom another storage tank for 2nd & 3rd bathroom. Then install water pump too. Normally my wife will bath hot water only & i like to bath with big shower head. Do you think which one better? Instant or storage or solar?

Get solar heater better if you have budget. It save you for longrun.

Forget about istant heater and storage heater. If you want enjoy shower.

I will go gas if I have the budget.

You wrote like going to do major renovation.

Hahaha i am planning only.

I think can't afford solar.

Heard some scary stories about boiler tank(heating tank).
Maybe solar slightly expensive, but I suggest you reconsider.

p/s : I have same requirements like u, love good shower, wife n kid only bath hot water.
Hahah..

Can share what you heard?

Yesterday have go Perfect Living then saw have Alpha, Joven & Seer? Which one better? Price also around RM700++.

Seer look better. Claim to be save energy.

You heard before? Any prons & cons? As I know normally ppl will choose Joven more than others brands.

So many scary stories I heard. Instant water heater, storage tank, solar tank, gas.. No need to put use cold water better.

This post has been edited by weikee: Sep 1 2013, 07:31 PM

You can search back about seer. Been discuss before. Seer using different kind of technology. It claim to be safe and save. But how true is it, not sure.

Just want to know any different only.

I just know this product didn't use heat element.

Visited the perfect living and knew this seer brand which could either uses of AC or 12V DC Power supply. Uses ceramic electrode as heating media which they claimed to be safer compare to common type. Price ranged around 1.3k for a 40l type tank...:)

Are you have purchase it? That time so many ppl there can't get any information.

I found somebody selling Seers here in LYN - https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2130889/all
Dont believe everything do some research on it to see if it is what they say it is. Easiest is ask their competitors.....no method is all
100% good, surely got the negative side if not the whole world using this system liao....


Anyway I am currently using storage type. Each bathroom has one on top of the ceiling board.
IMHO these type are the best bang for the buck but it really depends on your personal needs. If your house dont
already have copper piping, then you only need a short length for storage heaters to go to your shower and long bath.
Like weikee pointed out, there is really no waiting time as it does keep the water hot for pretty long time. I also dont understand why some need a timer.
You turn it on, do your shower, when you're done, turn it off. Its that simple.


If you want centralized, which to me is only worthwhile if every tap in your house requires hot water - like kitchen, all your basins, laundry area, then go for Solar.

Oh there is also another kind of hybrid heater which uses the heat from your aircon units - http://www.pecol.com.my/products.php#storagetank
You use your aircon then you get free hot water

My least favorite are instant. I will not use those, period.

Btw, my next place using Mini Heat Pump for centralized hot water. Dont ask me good or not, I dont know....
I am quite skeptical if it is worthwhile in my case as my usage is really low so to have it running 24x7, it could prove to be expensive to run in terms of electricity.

This post has been edited by idoblu: Sep 2 2013, 04:25 PM

How efficient can heating element be? Use 10watt generate 100watt heat? Ceramic is also heating element. If they have induction it will be high efficient and fast.

Thanks your advise. I know everything don't have 100% good. That why we need more info about products.

This post has been edited by petlu28: Sep 2 2013, 09:52 AM