User Manual
INSTALLATION – WATER HEATER 
55 
CIRCULATED HOT WATER FLOW AND RETURN SYSTEM 
A Rheem 874 series continuous flow water heater can be installed as part of a circulated hot water flow and 
return system in a building. 
Notes 
  the preset outlet temperature setting of the water heater must be set to at least 60°C – AU or 65°C – NZ. 
In  New  Zealand  an  approved  UV  sterilisation  or  chlorine  disinfection  system  may  be  used  if  the 
temperature setting of the water heater is less than 65°C. 
  the return water temperature to the water heater must not be less than 55°C – AU or 60°C – NZ. 
If the water temperature decreases by more than 5°C due to heat loss from the ring main, the preset outlet 
temperature setting of the water heater must be set to above 60°C – AU or 65°C – NZ to ensure the return 
water temperature is not less than 55°C – AU or 60°C – NZ. 
  temperature controllers should not be installed with this water heater as part of a circulated hot water flow 
and return system, including when installed as part of an EZ Link System dual installation. 
The circulator must be: 
  sized and set to provide a minimum flow rate of 3.0 L/min through the recirculated hot water flow and 
return system, and 
  either thermostatically and / or timer controlled. 
The circulator must not be set to operate continuously, i.e. 24 hours per day. 
 Warning: A Rheem 876 series continuous flow water heater must not be installed as part of a circulated 
hot water flow and return system in a building. 
Temperature Limiting Device 
A  temperature  limiting  device  cannot  be  installed  in  circulated  hot  water  flow  and  return  pipe  work.  The 
tempered water from a temperature limiting device cannot be circulated. Where a circulated hot water flow and 
return system is required in a building, a temperature limiting device can only  be installed on a dead leg, 
branching off the circulated hot water flow and return pipe. 
If circulated tempered water were to be returned back to the water heater, depending on the location of the 
return line connection on the water supply line to the water heater, then either: 
  water will be supplied to the cold water inlet of the temperature limiting device at a temperature exceeding 
the maximum recommended water supply temperature, or 
  when the hot taps are closed no water will be supplied to the cold water inlet of the temperature limiting 
device whilst hot water will continue to be supplied to the hot water inlet of the temperature limiting device. 
These conditions may result in either water at a temperature exceeding the requirements of AS/NZS 3500.4 
being delivered to the hot water outlets in the ablution areas, or the device closing completely and not delivering 
water at all, or the device failing. Under either condition, the operation and performance of the device cannot 
be guaranteed. 










