Introduction
In the warm and humid climate of Malaysia, hot water is integral to daily rituals for relaxation and sensory invigoration. Storage water heaters meet the rising demand for reliable hot water, providing consistent temperature, high flow rates, and multi-point supply, enhancing bathing experiences.
The trend of integrating hot and cold water inlet piping in new homes aligns with modern design preferences, simplifying storage water heater installation for a smoother transition for homeowners.
In this article, we will discuss common hot water needs and usage scenarios in Malaysia households, highlighting how storage water heaters provide significant benefits. We’ll cover:
- Understanding Malaysian Bathroom Needs
- 6 Challenges with Instant Water Heaters
- 6 Reasons Storage Water Heater Suit Malaysian Bathrooms
- Consistent Hot Water Supply
- Adaptability to Malaysian Climate
- Multi-Point Supply
- Safety Features for Malaysian Bathroom
- Lifespan and Durability
- Energy Savings
- Conclusion
Understanding Malaysian Bathroom Needs
While Malaysia is predominantly known for its warm and humid climate, the nation also encounters cool and cold days, particularly during the rainy and monsoon seasons. The monsoons, with heavy rainfall and cooler temperatures, highlight the importance of hot water in daily routines, turning a hot shower from a luxury into a necessity.
In 2020, domestic water consumption for Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan averaged 245 litres per capita per day. According to the Air Selangor Water Handbook, showers contribute to 35% of the total water consumption in Malaysia. Notably, showers lasting around 6 minutes constitute a significant portion of water usage, ranging from 30 to 80 litres, as reported by the non-profit consulting company, co2online.
Therefore, the consistent and reliable supply of hot water is a crucial and fundamental requirement for Malaysian bathrooms. It represents a necessity that we cannot do without, particularly considering the varying climate conditions and the significant contribution of showers to the overall water consumption in the country.
Common Hot Water Usage Scenarios in Malaysian Bathrooms
Consider the everyday scenes in Malaysian bathrooms—a soothing hot shower to kickstart the day, especially during the cool mornings of the monsoon season. The comforting warmth extends to various scenarios, such as washing away the stresses of the day in a relaxing bath or efficiently tackling dishes and laundry with the aid of hot water. Understanding these common usage scenarios sheds light on the integral role hot water plays in our daily routines.
1. Morning Refreshment
Malaysians often start their day with a comfortable hot shower to refresh and invigorate themselves, setting a positive tone for the day ahead. This is especially true during cooler months or in regions with higher elevations where the mornings might be cooler.
2. Evening Relaxation
After coming home from a long day at work, soaking in a hot and comfortable bath can sometimes be just the relaxation you need whilst relieving yourself. Hot shower becomes a medium for relaxation, allowing individuals to unwind and release the stresses of the day.
3. Health and Wellness Rituals
Hot water is a crucial element in health and wellness rituals, playing a role in soothing sore muscles or promoting a comprehensive skincare routine. The warmth aids in opening up pores, making it easier to cleanse the skin and apply various skincare products. Additionally, indulging in a hot shower or soaking in hot water is among the most effective ways to alleviate symptoms of cold or flu, including sneezing, a stuffy nose and fatigue.
4. Cold Weather Comfort
While Malaysia generally has a warm climate, there are regions and times of the year when the weather can be cooler, especially during the rainy season. In such situations, hot water is employed for bathing to counter the cooler ambient temperatures.
5. Infant and Elderly Care
Hot water is frequently used for preparing baby baths, ensuring that the water is at a comfortable temperature for infants. Similarly, elderly individuals may prefer hot water for bathing to enhance comfort and avoid temperature-related discomfort, such as soaking their feet in hot water during cold days. Hot water helps increase blood flow to the foot area, providing immediate warmth for the elderly enhancing comfort, and relaxing muscles simultaneously.
Navigating the cultural and practical dimensions of hot water needs in Malaysian bathrooms underscores the essential nature of a reliable and efficient solution. This is where the storage water heater steps in—a practical response to these needs, intricately designed to seamlessly integrate into the warmth-centric lifestyle of Malaysian households.
6 Challenges with Instant Water Heaters
In Malaysia, instant water heaters have long been the conventional choice for households seeking a basic and quick fix of warm water needs. However, upon closer examination, a set of limitations emerges, often insufficient to meet the diverse and warmth-centric lifestyle demands of Malaysian households.
A key limitation stems from the on-demand nature of instant water heaters. While they swiftly deliver warm water, their heating system designed to quickly raise the temperature of incoming cold water, passes through a flow restrictor. This restrictor reduces the flow rate of water, extending the time the water is in contact with the heating element. Additionally, you might have been experiencing not hot enough water during rainy days with instant water heaters, as they can only raise the water temperature by an average of 8°C. As a result, they become less suitable for situations requiring a comfortable and steady supply of hot water, especially during rainy days.
Challenges such as inconsistent water temperatures, low water flow, the constant need for adjustments, and insufficiently hot water during rainy days become persistent issues. Moreover, maintenance issues and the frequent need for replacements can disrupt the flow of comfort in our daily routines.
Here are some common issue homeowners may encounter:
1. Fluctuating Water Temperature
Instant water heaters are susceptible to temperature fluctuations, causing discomfort during showers as the water may alternate between being too hot or too cold. This inconsistency can disrupt a relaxing bathing experience.
Consider this scenario: a chilly morning during the rainy season, and the incoming water temperature is only 22°C. While the instant water heater, at its highest performance, is designed to raise the water temperature by an average of 8°C, the outlet water temperature reaches only about 30°C. This falls short of the average preferred shower temperature of Malaysians, which is 38°C – 40°C of hot water. The anticipation of a hot shower is met with disappointment as the instant water heater struggles to meet the demand.
2. Noise During Operation
Certain instant water heaters, particularly models with pumps, produce noticeable noise during operation, creating a disruptive auditory experience in the bathroom.
A typical AC pump can generate up to 77dB - 85dB of loudness. According to the Hearing Health Foundation, prolonged exposure to noise levels exceeding 70dB may begin to harm your hearing.
In your daily routine, being exposed to noise during showering or bathing can be detrimental to your hearing and may influence your emotional well-being. This noise can be particularly bothersome, especially when you are back after a long day of work and looking for a relaxing moment in your home.
3. Safety Concerns
Ensuring safety is paramount when it comes to water heaters, particularly with the potential risks associated with certain instant models. Unlike storage water heaters, some instant models may lack advanced safety features, raising concerns about potential hazards.
This concern is notable due to the prevalent installation of instant water heaters on bathroom walls, heightening the risk of electric shock for users in close proximity to water. Incidents in Malaysia including a student who was electrocuted while showering in Selangor, and a husband and wife who were electrocuted by hot water heater in Cameron Highlands, underscore this potential danger.
Therefore, the potential lack of advanced safety features in certain instant water heaters underscores the importance of prioritising safety, especially in locations where users are in close proximity to the heating unit.
4. Lifespan
Instant water heaters typically have a lifespan of 2-3 years, which is shorter compared to other water heating solutions. This shorter lifespan may result in consumers facing the necessity for premature replacements, thereby incurring additional costs. The frequent need for replacements can also disrupt daily routines that rely on consistent hot water access.
5. Unadaptable to Rain Shower Heads and Bathtubs
Users seeking a seamless and uninterrupted experience with rain showers or bathtubs may find that instant water heaters encounter challenges in delivering the desired level of comfort. These units may lack adaptability in supplying adequate hot water for larger fixtures, such as rain shower heads and bathtubs.
6. Water Flow Rate Constraints
The heating system is engineered to retain the incoming cold water in the heating element, and the restrictor is introduced to slow down the water flow. While it’s possible to adjust the water pressure by turning the shower knob from low to high, a higher flow rate tends to result in cooler water temperatures.
The restricted water flow from instant water heaters often poses a limitation, impacting the quantity of available hot water at any given moment. This constraint becomes particularly evident in households with multiple occupants seeking concurrent access to hot water. Users may encounter diminished water pressure or uneven heating when attempting activities such as filling a bathtub or using a rain shower simultaneously.
Understanding these common issues sheds light on the limitations of instant water heaters and emphasises the need for alternatives that can address these challenges more effectively.
In the following sections, we’ll uncover how storage water heaters meet these unique requirements, providing a consistent supply of warm water for the diverse scenarios. Join us to explore why the storage water heater is a crucial element in elevating the comfort of Malaysian homes.
6 Reasons Storage Water Heaters Suit Malaysian Bathrooms
Storage water heaters maintain a steady supply of hot water by utilising a storage tank to store and preheat a specific volume of water. The process involves heating the water in the tank to a set temperature, ensuring it is ready for immediate use.
In the dynamic landscape of Malaysian households, storage water heaters stand out as a robust solution. Designed to overcome the challenges faced by homeowners, these heaters seamlessly integrate into the daily routines of Malaysians, providing consistent, efficient, and reliable hot water. Here is an overview of how storage water heaters effectively tackle prominent challenges:
1. Consistent Hot Water Supply
Storage water heaters maintain a continuous supply of hot water by preheating a designated volume of water in a storage tank equipped with a heating element. The thermostat controls and maintains the desired water temperature. As hot water is used, cold water replenishes it at the tank's bottom, heating up to sustain the desired temperature and guaranteeing a continuous supply. The storage tank's capacity allows for uninterrupted hot water availability, with minimal lag time between turning on the tap and receiving warm water.
This design makes storage water heaters suitable for households with consistent hot water needs, providing a reliable solution. This tank holds a substantial volume of pre-heated water, ready for immediate use whenever hot water is required.
2. Adaptability to Malaysian Climate
Malaysia’s weather is as diverse as its culture, ranging from sunny days to sudden downpours. Storage water heaters ensure that households can still enjoy comfortable warm baths or showers even when the external temperatures are cooler.
During the monsoon season, when heavy rainfall is common, storage water heaters continue to perform well. They seamlessly adapt to the cooler incoming water, efficiently heating the water in the tank to 65°C to 70°C, a task that instant water heaters struggle with, as they can only raise the water temperature by an average of 8°C.
The pre-stored hot water is readily available, minimising disruption caused by fluctuations in the incoming water temperature. Storage water heaters ensure that households can still enjoy comfortable warm baths or showers even when the external temperatures are cooler.
3. Multi-Point Supply
Storage water heaters exhibit versatility by supplying hot water to multiple points in a household, including showers, bathtubs, basins, dishwashers, kitchen sinks and washing machines. The multi-point supply feature enhances user convenience, allowing simultaneous use in different areas without compromising water temperature or pressure.
The consistent temperature, coupled with customisable settings, ensures a comfortable and tailored experience for various applications. This makes storage water heaters a practical and user-friendly choice, catering to diverse hot water needs within a household.
4. Safety Features for Malaysian Homes
Modern storage water heaters come equipped with a range of safety features, each designed with your family's security in mind. These features include temperature and pressure relief valves, thermostat controls, anti-scalding technology, and overheat protection. Additionally, insulation, leak detection systems, compliance with local safety standards, and the use of quality materials contribute to the overall safety of storage water heaters.
Overheat protection mechanisms automatically shut off the heating element if the water temperature exceeds safe limits. This prevents damage to the unit and reduces the risk of accidents related to overheating. Ensuring that your daily moments of comfort are wrapped in a cocoon of safety.
5. Lifespan and Durability
Storage water heaters, especially those equipped with high-quality components, boast impressive durability, often providing a reliable hot water solution for a lifespan of at least 10 years. The longevity of these units is a testament to the robust construction and materials used in their manufacturing, ensuring sustained performance over an extended period.
This durability not only offers users a lasting and dependable hot water supply but also contributes to long-term cost-effectiveness by minimising the need for frequent replacements or repairs. Investing in storage water heaters with high-quality components underscores the commitment to a durable and reliable solution for the hot water needs of households.
6. Energy Savings
Storage water heaters offer cost-effectiveness compared to other water heating options, with moderate initial costs and promising long-term financial advantages. The operational efficiency, especially for households with consistent hot water demands, leads to energy savings over time.
Many storage water heaters are equipped with a layer of heat retention material wrapped around the tank, reducing heat loss. This insulation helps to keep the stored water hot for longer periods, minimising the frequency of heating cycles and contributing to energy savings.
Some energy-efficient models contribute to reduced monthly utility bills, resulting in substantial cost saving and cumulative savings over the lifespan of the appliance.
Conclusion
In Malaysian bathrooms, storage water heaters are praised for their convenience and efficiency, providing a consistent hot water supply that adapts seamlessly to the tropical climate. When selecting a storage water heater, consider models with energy-saving features, multi-point versatility, and integrated safety measures for a practical choice—just like Esio.
As you contemplate your hot water needs, consider the storage water heater as a transformative solution for a continuous and reliable stream of warmth, enhancing your daily bathing routine. Whether starting your day with a refreshing shower or unwinding in the evening with a soothing bath, the storage water heater is your ticket to a more convenient and efficient hot water experience.
