Households in Singapore can now make greener and more cost-efficient choices for their daily hot showers, with gas water heaters offering up to 80% lower carbon emissions than conventional electric storage models.
This follows the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) expansion of the Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS) to include household water heaters from 1 April 2025, marking another milestone in the nation’s drive toward sustainable living.
In just seven months since implementation, over 200 water heater models have been registered and rated from one to five ticks for energy efficiency. Among them, three-quarters of certified gas water heaters achieved four ticks, compared to only 3% of electric storage models. These energy labels help consumers identify appliances that deliver more hot water per kilowatt-hour of energy used. According to NEA, switching from a 1-tick electric storage heater to a 4-tick gas instant model could save households up to $1,200 over the heater’s lifespan, assuming typical daily use.
Research from the National University of Singapore (NUS) shows that gas water heaters produce just 0.1913 kg of CO₂ per kWh, less than half of the 0.4085 kg emitted by electric storage models. Because Singapore’s electricity is largely generated by burning natural gas, electric heaters not only rely on a more carbon-intensive process but also lose energy through standby heating. On average, this results in 400 kg of annual emissions per user for electric storage heaters, versus 80 kg for gas instant models. If all households switched to gas, the carbon savings would equal planting 1.4 million trees or removing over 300,000 cars from the road annually.
Adoption of gas water heaters is accelerating. City Energy, Singapore’s sole piped town gas provider, reports that 70% of new condominiums with gas connections now opt for gas water heating systems. Today, over 210,000 homes or 14.3% of households nationwide already use gas water heaters, a figure that has more than doubled since 2020, driven by efficiency awareness, design improvements, and on-demand comfort.
“Households today are more mindful of their energy footprint,” said Soh Guan Hong, Senior Vice President, Residential Sales Group Head at City Energy. “With NEA’s labelling scheme in place, more families and developers are choosing energy-efficient solutions. Gas water heating is becoming a key part of Singapore’s sustainability journey.”
Developers echo this sentiment. Hoi Hup Pte Ltd General Manager Koon Wai Leong highlighted that gas water heaters are not only efficient and space-saving but also meet rising homeowner demand for eco-friendly installations. Homeowners, too, are noticing the benefits. Tony Wong from The Waterview Condo shared, “Our gas heater gives us instant, reliable hot water and keeps our bills low, plus, it feels good knowing we’re helping the environment.”
Gas water heaters offer multiple advantages over electric storage systems:
Energy and Cost Efficiency: Heats water only when needed, reducing waste and lowering utility costs.
Convenience and Comfort: Delivers instant hot water and maintains steady temperatures for back-to-back showers.
Space-Saving Design: Wall-mounted and tankless, ideal for compact homes and modern layouts.
Furthering its commitment to sustainability and smart living, City Energy also introduced its own line, Life by City Energy Gas Water Heaters, designed for HDB homes. These compact, stylish heaters come in six colours and can be managed via the iAppliances smart home app, offering users precise control over comfort and energy use. Featuring TÜV SÜD certification, 25 safety mechanisms, and whisper-quiet operation, they deliver a safe, efficient, and elegant hot water experience.
With energy labelling now mandatory and awareness rising, gas water heaters are fast becoming the preferred choice for Singaporean households looking to balance comfort, savings, and sustainability.
To find out more about the City Energy Gas Water Heaters, click here.
