A solar water heater uses roof-mounted collectors to absorb the sun's heat and warm the water in a storage tank — so most of your hot water costs nothing. An electric backup element covers cloudy days and high demand. In sunny Malaysia it offers the lowest running cost of any water heater, across 10 showrooms nationwide.
Why Choose a Solar Water Heater?
Lowest Running Cost
Once installed, the sun does the work — your hot-water electricity bill drops sharply, paying back the higher upfront cost over a few years.
Plenty of Hot Water
The storage tank holds a large volume (often 150–300 litres), enough to feed a whole family bathroom or several outlets at once.
Eco-Friendly
Solar heating cuts household energy use and carbon emissions — a genuinely green home upgrade.
How It Works
A typical solar water heater has three parts: roof solar collectors that absorb heat, an insulated storage tank that holds the hot water, and an electric backup element that tops up the temperature on cloudy days. Water circulates between the collectors and tank either naturally (thermosiphon) or via a small pump.
How to Choose the Right Solar Water Heater (Quick Checklist)
- Check your roof. You need a roof area with good sun exposure, facing the right way, that can take the weight of the tank and collectors.
- Size the tank. Choose a tank capacity (often 150–300 litres) based on household size and number of bathrooms.
- Confirm the backup. Make sure it includes an electric backup element so you still have hot water on rainy days.
- Thermosiphon or split system. A thermosiphon system (tank on the roof) is simpler and cheaper; a split system (tank in the roof space) looks cleaner.
- Budget for install. Solar needs roof work and plumbing — our team sizes and installs the whole system.
Solar Water Heater Features to Look For
- Roof solar collectors — the panels that absorb the sun's heat.
- Insulated storage tank — holds 150–300 litres of hot water.
- Electric backup element — hot water even on cloudy days.
- Thermosiphon or pumped circulation — suits your roof layout.
- Corrosion-resistant tank — stands up to outdoor conditions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a solar water heater?
A water heater that uses roof-mounted solar collectors to absorb the sun's heat and warm water in a storage tank, with an electric backup element for cloudy days. Most of your hot water is heated for free by the sun.
Is a solar water heater worth it in Malaysia?
Yes. Malaysia gets strong sun year-round, so a solar water heater can cut your hot-water electricity bill sharply. The upfront cost is higher than a tank heater, but it pays back over a few years for households that use a lot of hot water.
Does a solar water heater work on cloudy days?
Yes, because it includes an electric backup element. On cloudy or rainy days the backup heats the water as normal, so you never run out — the sun just lowers how much electricity is used.
What roof do I need for a solar water heater?
A roof area with good sun exposure (minimal shading) that faces the right way and can take the weight of the tank and collectors. Flat or sloped roofs can both work — our team assesses your roof during the site visit.
How big a solar water heater do I need?
Tank capacities typically range from 150 to 300 litres. Size by household: a small family may need around 150–200 litres, a large family or a home with two bathrooms 250–300 litres. Our team sizes the system to your use.
Thermosiphon or split system?
A thermosiphon system puts the tank on the roof above the collectors — simpler and cheaper. A split system puts the tank in the roof space with just the collectors on the roof — looks cleaner but costs more. Both heat the same way.
Do you deliver and install solar water heaters?
Yes. Big Bath has 10 showrooms nationwide and in-house installers across Peninsular Malaysia who handle the roof work, plumbing and electrical connection, with ready stock in Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) and Kuching (Sarawak). WhatsApp your nearest branch.
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