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Owner’s Guide Installation Instructions Air Sourced 551E280 Heat Pump Water Heater This water heater must be installed and serviced by a qualified person. Please leave this guide with the householder.
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Rheem Australia Pty Ltd. TRADE MARKS ® Registered trademark of Rheem Australia Pty Ltd. ™ Trademark of Rheem Australia Pty Ltd. Note: Every care has been taken to ensure accuracy in preparation of this publication. No liability can be accepted for any consequences, which may arise as a result of its application.
Rheem warranty. We recommend you read pages 7 to 29, and the terms of the Rheem warranty on pages 4 to 6. The other pages are intended for the installer but may be of interest.
The decision of whether to repair or replace a faulty component is at Rheem’s sole discretion. If you require a call out and we find that the fault is not covered by the Rheem warranty, you are responsible for our standard call out charge. If you wish to have the relevant component repaired or replaced by Rheem, that service will be at your cost.
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Rotorua, where high levels of atmospheric Sulphur Dioxide are present in the atmosphere. Rheem may reject a claim under this warranty in its sole discretion if a third party solar diverter is connected to the water heater.
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You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure. The Rheem warranty (set out above) is in addition to any rights and remedies that you may have under the Australian Consumer Law.
If the electrical supply conduit to the water heater is damaged, it must be replaced by a qualified person in order to avoid a hazard. Phone Rheem Service or their nearest Accredited Service Agent / Centre to arrange for an inspection.
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SAFETY, WARNINGS, INSTALLATION NOTES • In areas where there is a risk of freezing conditions, power must be available to the water heater at all times and the electrical supply to the water heater should not be switched off, otherwise damage could result.
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If water does not flow freely from the drain line when the lever is lifted, then the water heater must be checked. Phone Rheem Service or their nearest Accredited Service Agent / Centre to arrange for an inspection. The temperature pressure relief valve should be replaced at intervals not exceeding five (5) years and the expansion control valve should be checked for performance or replaced at intervals not exceeding five (5) years.
A Rheem heat pump water heater consumes less energy than an electric water heater. The impact on an electricity account will depend on the tariff arrangement of the water heater replaced and where you live.
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ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER Warning: In areas where the ambient air temperature may fall below 4°C, power must be available to the water heater at all times. The water heater has NO WARRANTY for freeze damage if power is unavailable at the water heater. HOW HOT SHOULD THE WATER BE? The system controls (compressor, evaporator and fan) will operate until a water temperature of 60°C is reached.
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ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER TO TURN OFF THE WATER HEATER If it is necessary to turn off the water heater: • Switch off the electrical supply at the water heater isolating switch on the switchboard or at the isolating switch at the water heater. •...
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At the end of the service life of the heat pump water heater and prior to the water heater being disposed of, a person qualified to work with refrigerants must recover the refrigerant from within the sealed system. The refrigerant must not be vented to atmosphere. Phone Rheem Service or their nearest Accredited Service Agent / Centre to arrange for an inspection.
DISPLAY PANEL DISPLAY PANEL AND ICONS The water heater has a Display Panel to allow the user to view the current operational status of the water heater and to enable user input functionality. LEDs on the Display Panel illuminate to display icons when there is power to the water heater and the water heater is turned on at the Display Panel.
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DISPLAY PANEL DISPLAY ICONS AND SELECTION KEYS EXPLAINED Icon Keys Description On / Off Key: ** used to switch the water heater “On” or “Off” at the Display Panel and to reilluminate the Display Panel fully after it has dimmed. Main Display Area: illuminates the Average Water Temperature in the water heater in degrees Celsius.
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DISPLAY PANEL TURNING THE WATER HEATER “ON” OR “OFF” AT THE DISPLAY PANEL Turn the water heater “On” at the Display Panel • Press the “On / Off” key. The average water temperature in the water heater illuminates in the Main Display Area. The time (if set) illuminates in the Timer / Clock Display Area.
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DISPLAY PANEL USEABLE HOT WATER QUANTITY DISPLAY The Display Panel features a Useable Hot Water Quantity display icon. This icon indicates the quantity of usable hot water in the water heater. The more bars illuminated, the more hot water there is available. The display ranges from no illumination of bars, which indicates the average temperature of the water in the water heater is below 36°C, to the illumination of twenty five bars, which indicates the water heater...
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DISPLAY PANEL To set the Clock Turn the water heater “Off” at the Display Panel. Press the “On / Off” key. ◼ The displays and icons go out. The Display Screen is blank. Note: If the Display Panel is in the ‘dimmed’ state, it will be necessary to press the “On / Off” key twice.
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DISPLAY PANEL To set the Timer Set the Timer ON time. If a Timer period is to be set and ‘oF’ is flashing in the Main Display area, then: Press the “Up” key. ➢ ‘oN’ will commence flashing in the Main Display Area. Press the “Mode”...
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If one or more of the above codes is displayed on the Display Panel, make a note of the fault code(s) and phone Rheem Service or their nearest Accredited Service Agent / Centre to arrange for an inspection. FREEZE PROTECTION FUNCTION The water heater has a freeze protection function built in to protect the water heater in extremely cold conditions and the water temperature in the water heater falls to 5°C.
If water does not flow freely from the drain line of either the temperature relief valve or expansion control valve when the easing lever is operated, phone Rheem Service or their nearest Accredited Service Agent / Centre to arrange for an inspection.
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Note: The major service and routine replacement of any components, such as the anode and relief valve(s), are not included in the Rheem warranty. A charge will be made for this work. Only genuine replacement parts should be used on this water heater. This service does not involve accessing the refrigerant circuit (sealed system).
If an incorrect colour coded anode is used in the water heater, any resultant faults will not be covered by the Rheem warranty. In addition, the use of an incorrect colour coded anode may shorten the life of the water heater cylinder.
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In a corrosive water supply, the water can attack copper parts and cause them to fail. Where the saturation index is less than –1.0, the water is very corrosive, and the Rheem warranty does not apply to a copper sheathed heating unit. A corrosion resistant heating unit must be used for the Rheem warranty to apply to the heating unit.
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The water heater is not suitable for certain water chemistries. Those chemistries are listed below. If the water heater is connected at any time to a water supply with the following water chemistry, the Rheem warranty will not cover any resultant faults:...
“Fault Codes” If the fault reoccurs, a service call must be made. Refer to on page 21. Phone Rheem Service or their nearest Accredited Service Agent / Centre to arrange for an inspection.
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“Fault Codes” water heater. Refer to on page 21. Take note of the fault code and phone Rheem Service or their nearest Accredited Service Agent / Centre to arrange for an inspection. TEMPERATURE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE OR EXPANSION CONTROL VALVE RUNNING •...
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Contact your energy provider for more information on tariff arrangements and cost comparisons. IF YOU HAVE CHECKED ALL THE FOREGOING AND STILL BELIEVE YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, PHONE RHEEM SERVICE OR THEIR NEAREST ACCREDITED SERVICE AGENT / CENTRE.
(overnight and day) or Extended time controlled power supply connection may also be suitable. A Rheem heat pump water heater consumes less energy than an electric water heater. The impact on an electricity account will depend on the tariff arrangement of the water heater replaced and the installation...
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INSTALLATION TRANSPORTING AND HANDLING THE WATER HEATER Take care when handling the water heater. The jacket surrounding the heat pump at the top of the water heater needs to be handled gently so as not to cause damage. Do not tilt the water heater more than 30° from the vertical. Care must be taken during transportation and handling as the water heater is top heavy.
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If an incorrect colour coded anode is used in the water heater, any resultant faults will not be covered by the Rheem warranty. In addition, the use of an incorrect colour coded anode may shorten the life of the water heater cylinder.
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Note: If the cylinder is damaged as a result of attaching pipe clips or saddles to the jacket, any resultant faults will not be covered by the Rheem warranty.
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INSTALLATION SEISMIC RESTRAINT New Zealand Building Code Clause B1 requires building elements (including storage water heaters) to be adequately supported including support against earthquake forces. This water heater must be restrained to protect against seismic forces. Clause G12 (Edition 3 Amendment 13) Paragraph 6.11.4 and Figure 14 outline an acceptable solution to this requirement.
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INSTALLATION DIMENSIONS AND TECHNICAL DATA Dimensions Model 551E280 There is a minimum clearance of 25 mm from a wall behind the water heater...
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INSTALLATION Technical Data 551E280 Model number Product number – with black anode (magnesium) 551E280R5 Refrigerant type R290 Product number – with blue anode (aluminium) 551E280R5/B Maximum Refrigerant charge 340 grams Storage capacity litres Refrigerant circuit pressure 2600 kPa Boost capacity – by electric heating unit litres IP Rating IP24...
CONNECTIONS – PLUMBING All plumbing work must be carried out by a qualified person and in accordance with the Standard AS/NZS 3500.4 and all local codes and regulatory authority requirements. In New Zealand, the installation must also conform to Clauses G12 and H1 of the New Zealand Building Code. CONNECTION SIZES •...
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CONNECTIONS – PLUMBING PIPE SIZES To achieve true mains pressure operation, the cold water line to the water heater should be the same size or bigger than the hot water line from the water heater. The pipe sizing for hot water supply systems should be carried out by persons competent to do so, choosing the most suitable pipe size for each individual application.
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CONNECTIONS – PLUMBING RELIEF VALVE DRAIN DN15 copper drain lines must be fitted to the temperature pressure relief valve and expansion control valve (if one is installed) to carry the discharge clear of the water heater. Connect the drain lines to the valves using disconnection unions.
CONNECTIONS – ELECTRICAL The power supply to the water heater must not be switched on until the water heater is filled with water and a satisfactory megger reading is obtained. There is NO WARRANTY for the dry firing of the electric heating unit.
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CONNECTIONS – ELECTRICAL ELECTRIC HEATING UNIT AND THERMOSTAT SETTING The water heater has an electric heating unit and thermostat, and is controlled by the electronic controller. The electric heating unit will be automatically activated during periods when the ambient air temperature falls below -7°C or above 43°C and heating of the water is required.
COMMISSIONING TO FILL AND TURN ON THE WATER HEATER The power supply to the water heater must not be switched on until the water heater is filled with water and a satisfactory megger reading is obtained. • Open all of the hot water taps in the house (don’t forget the shower). •...
• Damage caused by freezing due to the unavailability of power at the water heater is not covered by the Rheem warranty. “Terms of the Rheem Warranty” Refer to on page 4. • If the power has been switched off to the water heater and there is a risk of freezing, then it is necessary to drain the water heater.
The information in this section does not replace the Service Instructions for the Rheem 551E280 heat pump. The Service Instructions should be referred to for the full and complete procedures for maintenance, repair, decommissioning and disposal of the heat pump.
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MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, DECOMMISSIONING, DISPOSAL Evacuation and Removal of the Refrigerant Conventional procedures shall be used if the refrigerant circuit (sealed system) is to be opened. Refrigerant R290 is flammable, therefore the following procedure shall be followed: Evacuate the refrigerant circuit (sealed system) and remove the refrigerant. ◼...
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MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, DECOMMISSIONING, DISPOSAL Recovery of Compressor Oil Good practise is to be followed when removing compressor oil during servicing or decommissioning to ensure all oil is removed safely. If the compressor or compressor oil are to be removed, ensure they have been evacuated of refrigerant to an acceptable level to make certain no refrigerant remains within the lubricant.
Off Peak 2 Electric continuous Other (please circle) (night) (night & day) If replacing a water heater, please give details Brand Model No Electric If a Rheem unit Tank Serial No Date of manufacture Collector Serial No’s Comments Signature: Installer: Customer: Date...