Water heater for condo in Bangkok : 4500W or 6000W ?

[zenplay]

Hi,

I would like to buy water heater for the shower in my condo, located in BKK.

What are the best and reliable brand for this kind of device ?

4500W is it enough, or should I choose 6000W device ?

Thank you in advance for your advices.

[daveAustin]

As it's Bkk where the ambient water temp is quite warm, and if you're talking about 'enough', I'd be inclined with 4.5KW. But depends on your pressure really and how hot and fast you like it. Stick with a known brand like Panasonic or Clarte. Make sure the earth is sound.

[KhunBENQ]

We live in the frosty northeast and have the smallest thing (3.5 kW),

Plenty of water by the pump fed by the water tank.

In the "winter" (Dec to Feb) that is a bit on the edge, just a litte more than lukewarm,

But a 6 kW heater in Bangkok where there is no single night as cold as it is here for weeks?

No idea why one would need that for a standard shower.

Edited February 2, 2015 by KhunBENQ

[Prapaexpert]

There is enough with 4500W in Bangkok.

If you need help with the instalation you can call us.

02-1054545

www.prapaexpert.com

[casualbiker]

I have used various quality 3.5 kw showers. Some lukewarm in cool season etc. The very best for both flow and heat was this one :

http://jumbo.bigc.co.th/it-electronics/home-electronics-appliances/elec-shower-panasonic-3500w-model-dh-3jl2th.html

Excellent shower!

[BKKdreaming]

if you own the condo 6000w Japanese or German made

if you are leasing short term 3500w chinese

[ben2talk]

I have used various quality 3.5 kw showers. Some lukewarm in cool season etc. The very best for both flow and heat was this one :

http://jumbo.bigc.co.th/it-electronics/home-electronics-appliances/elec-shower-panasonic-3500w-model-dh-3jl2th.html

Excellent shower!

Hitachi have a 4800W unit priced nicely (less than 1 baht/watt). I quite like my cheap 3500w Sharp, and wouldn't mind that in a 4500w. 3500 is a bit weak in winter here - below 20 celcius showers become trickles (use only fine spray to reduce flow... takes longer to rinse).

Water pressure isn't going far over 1 bar in a condo I guess... best check. Stiebel had a graph showing temperature increase for wattage;

Flow at 2/4/6 litres per minute....

3.5kw increases 25, 13, 8. 4.5kw 32, 16, 11... at 6kw you just use double the flow (too much except for very cool winters or water flow 6 to 8litres per minute).

Start by looking at flow for your favourite shower head.

I just did 2 tests (30 seconds of water into a bowl)... with the shower head 'all holes open' giving low pressure hi volume hits over 6L/minute, on the 'normal' setting exactly 6L per minute. I was thinking maybe to increase pressure with the new house/water pump - at this rate, with a 3.5kw unit showers are a little hot (now 32 celcius water coming in - boosted to 39 maybe) but now I'm thinking best get 4.5kw for a basic shower and 6kw for a decent one.

Normally it isn't an issue, but sometimes those hot showers help with relaxing, muscle pain etc. Also it'd be quicker to fill my boy's bath with 6kw.

So my advice - 4800 minimum, 6kw nominal, and spend more for luxury or get low flow shower heads for more pressure in the spray. (And never ask questions in the shops because they haven't got a clue about showers, water pumps, or anything else). At Homepro, shower flow is '4Litres inlet, 2 litres at the outlet' ROFL.

Hitachi HES-48v now 4240 baht, same price Panasonic DH-4HS1TS.

Sharp model WH-751 is 6kw and goes around the same price... just basic showers with no features (digital - i.e. 'set temperature' instead of just using a dial for power - you add at least 2000).

I'm hooked on Sharp. From the web, looks like it has actual 'temp' control or 'limit' 34c for kids, 35-39 for warm, 40-46 for hot, then one more that lost the graphic...

http://www.topcoolair.com/index.php?lay=show&ac=article&Id=424167

Edited March 29, 2016 by ben2talk

[sappersrest]

If you go for a 6kw unit make sure the cable is correctly sized.

[steven100]

4500W is more than sufficient for your condo. It's a mid range size ..... get a Panasonic or similar.