Project Overview
- Property Type: Condominium (3-Bedroom Unit)
- Location: Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur
- Project Duration: 1 Day
- Equipment: Ariston 30L Storage Water Heater
- Warranty: 12 Months Parts & Labour
The Client's Situation
A family of four living in a three-bedroom condominium in Mont Kiara contacted us after their old instant water heater broke down for the third time in two years. The unit had been giving them problems for a while—inconsistent temperatures, weak water pressure, and a worrying buzzing noise that had started a few weeks earlier.
Beyond the reliability issues, the family had a practical problem: with two school-going children and both parents working, mornings were chaotic. Only one bathroom had hot water (served by the failing instant heater), and everyone was queuing up to use it. The master bathroom and kitchen sink had no hot water at all.
They asked us whether it made sense to simply replace the instant heater or switch to something that could serve the whole unit. After discussing their needs, we recommended upgrading to a centrally installed storage water heater that could supply hot water to all three bathrooms and the kitchen.
Why a Storage Heater Made Sense
For this particular Mont Kiara condo, a storage water heater was the right call for several reasons:
- Multiple outlets needed: The family wanted hot water in all three bathrooms plus the kitchen—installing four separate instant heaters would have been far more expensive and required additional circuit breakers
- Water pressure: The condo's existing plumbing had decent pressure, and a ceiling-mounted storage tank would add gravity-fed flow to all outlets
- Available space: The unit had a utility area above the ceiling in the common bathroom with access panel, perfect for a concealed tank installation
- Electrical capacity: The DB box had a spare 20A MCB slot, which was sufficient for a storage heater's 2,500W element—far less demanding than the 30A circuits needed per instant heater
The Installation Process
Morning: Assessment and Preparation
We arrived at 9 AM and started with a thorough inspection. We checked the ceiling void space, measured the mounting points, verified the plumbing routes to each bathroom, and tested the existing electrical circuits. The old instant heater was disconnected and removed, and we cleaned up the existing wiring at that point.
Midday: Tank Mounting and Plumbing
The 30-litre Ariston tank was mounted on reinforced brackets in the ceiling void above the common bathroom. We ran new copper piping from the tank's hot water outlet to the master bathroom, second bathroom, and kitchen sink. Each line was insulated to minimise heat loss—important even in Malaysia's warm climate, as the pipes run through concrete ceiling voids that can be cooler than expected.
Afternoon: Electrical and Testing
We wired the heater to a dedicated 20A MCB with proper earth leakage protection (RCCB). A timer switch was installed at an accessible point so the family could schedule the heater to turn on 30 minutes before their usual morning routine and switch off automatically afterwards. This simple addition saves them from running the heater unnecessarily throughout the day.
After filling the tank and checking every joint for leaks, we ran a full test cycle. Water temperature reached 65°C within 25 minutes, and all four outlets delivered consistent hot water with good pressure.
⚡ Why We Chose a 30-Litre Tank
For a family of four, a 30-litre tank strikes the right balance. It provides enough hot water for two back-to-back showers before needing to reheat, and it's light enough (around 35 kg when full) for ceiling-void mounting without structural reinforcement. Larger 50-litre tanks are available but would have required wall mounting with heavy-duty brackets in this unit.
Results
Before
One failing instant heater serving a single bathroom. No hot water in the master bath or kitchen. Weak pressure, inconsistent temperature.
After
Centralised 30L storage heater supplying hot water to three bathrooms and the kitchen. Strong pressure, consistent temperature, timer-controlled.
✅ Project Results
- Completion Time: 7 hours (single day, no overnight work)
- Hot Water Points: 4 (up from 1)
- Energy Efficiency: Timer-controlled operation reduces standby power consumption
- Safety: Dedicated MCB + RCCB protection, pressure relief valve tested
- Warranty: 12 months on all parts and labour
- Estimated Monthly Cost: ~RM35 addition to TNB bill
Client Feedback
"Mornings are so much smoother now. The kids can shower in their own bathroom while I use the master bath, and there's still hot water in the kitchen for washing up. We should have done this years ago instead of struggling with that old instant heater. The timer switch was a brilliant suggestion—we don't even think about it anymore, the hot water is just ready when we wake up."
— Mrs. Tan, Mont Kiara Resident
Is a Storage Water Heater Right for Your Condo?
If you're in a similar situation—struggling with weak pressure from an old instant heater, or needing hot water in multiple bathrooms—a storage water heater upgrade could be exactly what your home needs. Mont Kiara condos and similar high-rise developments across KL are particularly well-suited for this type of installation thanks to their ceiling void spaces and modern plumbing layouts.
The key is getting the sizing right (tank capacity, pipe routing, electrical requirements) and ensuring the installation meets safety standards. That's where professional installation makes all the difference. Ongoing maintenance is just as important — see our water heater servicing project in Banting.