Updated 2026-10-11 · by Plumbline
Short answer: A heater that trips the power has an electrical fault and needs a licensed electrician. A leaking storage tank is usually replaced, not repaired. No hot water with no trip can be a part such as the thermostat or element. Published 2026 prices run from about S$280 for an instant heater to S$1,180 for a storage tank supplied and installed.
Plumbline writes these guides from PUB and government sources and published Singapore price data; each claim links to where it comes from.
What the symptom tells you
| Symptom | Likely cause | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Heater trips the power (RCCB) | Electrical fault in the heater or its wiring | A licensed electrical worker |
| Water leaking from the tank | Tank corrosion or a failed seal | Plumber; usually a replacement |
| No hot water, no trip | Thermostat, heating element or a setting | Plumber or electrician to diagnose |
| Rusty or smelly hot water | Ageing storage tank | Plumber; often a replacement |
Wiring work must be done by an EMA-licensed electrical worker. On the water side, PUB lists the pipe between a stop valve and an instantaneous water heater among the simple works; other water service work is regulated (PUB).
Repair or replace
Replace when the tank leaks, when it is rusting, or when a repair costs a large share of a new heater. Repair when it is a single part on a heater in otherwise good condition.
Published prices
Rates read from Singapore plumbing firms’ websites in August and September 2026 (source):
- Instant heater: S$280 to S$500 at one firm; from S$400 (installation only) at another
- Storage heater: S$350 to S$600 at one firm; up to S$1,180 supplied and installed at another
Get it in writing
Ask for the heater model and the labour as separate lines, check the heater’s price yourself, and agree the total before work starts.
Want a plumber to sort it?
A plumber who covers your area calls you back with a price.
Request received.
A plumber who covers your area will call you on the number you gave. If water is flooding, turn off the main stop valve beside your water meter while you wait.
More questions
Instant or storage heater: which is cheaper to replace?
Instant heaters are usually cheaper to buy and install. At one firm, instant heaters are priced at S$280 to S$500 and storage heaters at S$350 to S$600.
My heater trips the RCCB. Is it safe to use?
No. Switch it off at its isolator and get it checked. A heater tripping the earth-leakage breaker means current is leaking where it should not.