20
Are you using more hot water than you think?
Is one outlet (especially the shower) using more hot water than you think?
Very often it is not realised the amount of hot water used, particularly when showering. Carefully review
the family’s hot water usage. As you have installed an energy saving appliance, energy saving should
also be practised in the home. Adjust your water usage pattern to take advantage of maximum solar gains.
Have your plumber install a flow control valve to each shower outlet to reduce water usage.
Temperature pressure relief valve running
Is the relief valve discharging too much water?
Refer to
“Temperature Pressure Relief Valve Running”
on page 20.
Thermostat setting
Ensure the thermostat setting is appropriate. You may choose to have your electrician adjust the
thermostat upwards to gain additional hot water capacity when boosting. Refer to
on page 7.
Warning:
Hotter water increases the risk of scald injury.
Water heater size
Do you have the correct size water heater for your requirements? The sizing guides in the sales literature
and on the Rheem website
suggest average sizes that may be needed.
WATER NOT HOT ENOUGH
You may find that due to heavy hot water usage or low solar energy gain the water temperature may be lower
than normally expected. Ensure the booster is being used as advised. If a timer is installed, you will need to
carefully plan your use of the booster heating unit to boost the water temperature on such occasions. Refer to
on page 8.
A lower water temperature may also be noticed in the morning when the booster heating unit has not been
energised overnight. This in particular may be experienced during periods of low solar energy gain, or if there
has been heavy hot water usage the previous night.
TEMPERATURE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE RUNNING
Normal Operation
It is normal and desirable this valve allows a small quantity of water to
escape during the heating cycle. However, if it discharges more than a
bucket full of water in 24 hours, there may be another problem.
Continuous dribble
Try gently raising the easing lever on the relief valve for a few seconds
(refer to
“Temperature Pressure Relief Valve”
on page 14). This may
dislodge a small particle of foreign matter and clear the fault. Release
the lever gently.
Steady flows for long period (often at night)
This may indicate the mains water pressure sometimes rises above the
designed pressure of the water heater. Ask your installing plumber to fit
a pressure limiting valve.
Warning:
Never replace the relief valve with one of a higher
pressure rating.
Heavy flows of hot water until the water heater is cold - then stops until water reheats
The water heater
must
be switched off at the isolating switch or switchboard. Phone Rheem Service or
their nearest Accredited Service Agent to arrange for an inspection.
EXPANSION CONTROL VALVE RUNNING
If an expansion control valve is fitted in the cold water line to the water heater
it may discharge
a small quantity of water instead of the temperature pressure relief valve on the water heater. The benefit is
that energy is conserved as the discharged water is cooler.