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How Do I ... Select a Water Heater?
Which water heater best fits my household?
aristonsingapore
10 April 2018
“Should I go for an instant water heater, or a storage water heater?” Houzz user Serene Lim even asked “What size water heater tank should I get if I have a 550L bathtub?“
If you’re pondering these questions, this article is for you. Here’s a simple guide to help you determine the type of water heater that best suits your needs.
If you’re pondering these questions, this article is for you. Here’s a simple guide to help you determine the type of water heater that best suits your needs.
Instant water heaters vs Storage water heaters:
Instant water heaters, such as the Ariston Aures (pictured left), do not store water. They heat water based on the user’s demand. When you turn on your shower, the water is being heated instantaneously.
Instant water heaters, such as the Ariston Aures (pictured left), do not store water. They heat water based on the user’s demand. When you turn on your shower, the water is being heated instantaneously.
Storage water heaters, such as the Ariston SL30 (pictured left), consist of an insulated storage tank that holds heated water. The heated water is channeled to the shower based on demand. With a storage water heater, you may adjust your shower temperature using the tap mixer.
To determine which water heater you need, ask these questions:
To determine which water heater you need, ask these questions:
Are you intending to allocate one water heater per bathroom, or have a few bathrooms share one water heater?
If you prefer to share the water heater among a few bathrooms, go for storage water heaters. Storage water heaters allow sharing between a few bathrooms, while instant water heaters, with its limitations in water pressure, are only able to support one shower point.
If you prefer to share the water heater among a few bathrooms, go for storage water heaters. Storage water heaters allow sharing between a few bathrooms, while instant water heaters, with its limitations in water pressure, are only able to support one shower point.
Would you like to have a rain shower?
If you’d like to have a rain shower in your bathroom, go for a storage water heater. Storage water heaters, which are closed systems, are able to produce enough water pressure to provide the rain shower effect. Instant heaters are pressure-reducing systems. Flow restrictors are built into every tankless system so that water can be heated instantly when it flows through the heater. Hence, an electric instant water heater will not be able to support a rain shower.
If you’d like to have a rain shower in your bathroom, go for a storage water heater. Storage water heaters, which are closed systems, are able to produce enough water pressure to provide the rain shower effect. Instant heaters are pressure-reducing systems. Flow restrictors are built into every tankless system so that water can be heated instantly when it flows through the heater. Hence, an electric instant water heater will not be able to support a rain shower.
If I prefer a storage water heater, what size should I go for?
It highly depends on the household’s needs and usage patterns. If all members of the household shower simultaneously or one after another without a break in between, go for a larger storage tank. If members of the household shower at different times with a break of at least 20 minutes in between, you can go for smaller storage tanks.
If you have a bathtub at home, you’ll want to consider a bigger storage tank to fill the tub up with hot water. A good estimate will be to buy a water heater size that is around 20 per cent the size of your bathtub (assuming you’ll be filling the tub to 70 per cent capacity for a warm bath).
It highly depends on the household’s needs and usage patterns. If all members of the household shower simultaneously or one after another without a break in between, go for a larger storage tank. If members of the household shower at different times with a break of at least 20 minutes in between, you can go for smaller storage tanks.
If you have a bathtub at home, you’ll want to consider a bigger storage tank to fill the tub up with hot water. A good estimate will be to buy a water heater size that is around 20 per cent the size of your bathtub (assuming you’ll be filling the tub to 70 per cent capacity for a warm bath).
Do you want your water heater designs to match your bathroom renovation?
Standard water heaters, especially storage water heaters, look about the same: usually cylindrical tanks which can look out of place in a nicely renovated bathroom. If design is important to you, look for water heaters that are also designed with aesthetics in mind. Italian-designed Ariston water heaters are made to match any bathroom design. In Singapore where bathroom space is limited, you may want to consider an elegant looking water heater that looks slim and sleek so that no space is wasted to conceal it.
Standard water heaters, especially storage water heaters, look about the same: usually cylindrical tanks which can look out of place in a nicely renovated bathroom. If design is important to you, look for water heaters that are also designed with aesthetics in mind. Italian-designed Ariston water heaters are made to match any bathroom design. In Singapore where bathroom space is limited, you may want to consider an elegant looking water heater that looks slim and sleek so that no space is wasted to conceal it.
Regardless of the type of water heater you select, consider the following:
- Always get a certified professional to install your water heater. Never try to do it yourself.
- Select a reliable brand of water heater, with a long-standing history.
- Select an energy and water-saving water heater, if you’re looking to save on utilities in the long run.
Stand a chance to win! Take the Houzz Quiz: What Type of Bathroom Should You Have? and share your quiz result in your Facebook or Instagram and tag @houzzsg. The top three most liked results will win Ariston’s latest storage water heater, SL30 (pictured above), worth $389 (Terms & Conditions apply).
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