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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 RheemPlus 554 series model. The 554 325 model water heater is recommended for
connection to a minimum 16 hour per day power supply. The 554 410 model water heater is recommended
for connection to a 24 hour per day power supply.
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 Rheemglas
®
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, the thermostat
activates a fan, a compressor and a circulator. The fan draws outside air in
through the air inlet louvres at the side of the heat pump module and the
pump circulates water from the bottom of the storage tank through a heat
exchanger. Heat is absorbed from the air by an evaporator and transferred
into the water through the heat exchanger. The resulting cold air is then
discharged through the air outlet grille back to atmosphere and the heated
water is circulated back into the storage tank. This process continues while
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 between a
minimum of 3°C to 5°C and maximum of 45°C to 55°C. The booster
heating unit will operate when the ambient air temperature is outside of this
temperature range if heating is required. The efficiency of the water heater
increases as the ambient air temperature increases within the operating
range of the heat pump.
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. At ambient air
temperatures below 3°C to 5°C, the water heater deactivates the heat pump operation and switches to the
booster heating unit. During this period the evaporator will defrost if necessary.
At ambient air temperatures above 45°C to 55°C, the water heater deactivates the heat pump operation and
switches to the booster heating unit.
The water inside the tank will be heated to a temperature of 70°C by the electric booster heating unit if
heating is required. The temperature setting of the thermostat controlling the booster heating unit is not
adjustable and is set at 70°C.
Boost Capacity
Element size
554 325
554 410
2.4 kW*, 3.6 kW*
180 litres
200 litres
1.8 kW
100 litres
-
* The boost capacity of a 2.4 kW or 3.6 kW low watts density heating
unit if used is 100 litres (554 325) or 125 litres (554 410).
