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ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER
WATER HEATER APPLICATION
This water heater is designed for use in a single family domestic dwelling for the purpose of heating potable
water. Its use in an application other than this may shorten its life.
MODEL TYPE
®
Your Rheem
air sourced heat pump water heater is designed for outdoor installation only. The model you
have chosen is a 551E280 water heater and is recommended for connection to an uninterrupted 24 hour
continuous tariff power supply. Depending upon the size of the household and its hot water requirements and
if the Electricity Retailer permits, an extended off-peak (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 where you live.
Contact your energy provider for more information on tariff arrangements and cost comparisons.
The Rheem air sourced heat pump water heater has a vitreous enamel lined steel cylinder. The water heater's
evaporator absorbs heat from the surrounding air and transfers this heat into the water.
When hot water is drawn off and cold water enters the tank, a sensor activates a fan, a compressor and the
heat pump control system. The fan draws outside air in through the air inlet louvres at the top of the water
heater. Heat is absorbed from the air by an evaporator and transferred into the water through a heat exchanger
wrapped around the water heater cylinder. The resulting cold air is then discharged through the air outlet
louvres back to atmosphere. This process continues while ever heating is required until the water in the storage
tank reaches a temperature of 60°C.
Even on cloudy or cold days, heat is drawn from the surrounding air. The heat
pump will operate when the ambient air temperature is from -7°C to 43°C. The
electric heating unit will operate when the ambient air temperature falls below
-7°C or rises above 43°C if heating is required. The efficiency of the heat pump
increases as the surrounding ambient air temperature increases.
Automatic safety controls are fitted to the water heater to provide safe and
efficient operation.
ELECTRIC BOOSTING
Ice may begin to form on the evaporator reducing the heat pump efficiency,
when the ambient air temperature falls below 7°C and the heat pump has been
operating for an extended period. If the heat pump operates between -7°C and
7°C for longer than 3 hours 20 minutes, the electric heating unit will turn on to
assist in the heating of the water. At ambient air temperatures below -7°C, the
water heater deactivates the heat pump operation and switches to the electric
heating unit. During these periods the evaporator will defrost if necessary.
When operating at a temperature outside of the heat pump's operating range, the electric heating unit will heat
the water in the water heater. The water will be heated to the Hot Water Temperature Set Point.
FREEZE PROTECTION
The water heater has an active de-frost function so the heat pump operates automatically to remove ice which
may form on its evaporator coil.
Warning: Do not use any means to accelerate the defrosting process of the evaporator coil or other
components of the heat pump.
The water heater also has a freeze protection function built in for extremely cold conditions. When a power
supply is available to the water heater and the Display Panel is turned off at the water heater, the electric
heating unit will automatically turn on if the water temperature in the water heater falls to 5°C. It will heat the
water until the water temperature reaches 10°C and then turn off.
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