Owner’s Guide and Installation Instructions Electric Domestic Water Heater This water heater must be installed and serviced by an authorised person. Please leave this guide with the householder.
PATENTS This water heater may be protected by one or more patents or registered designs in the name of Rheem Australia Pty Ltd. ® TRADEMARKS Registered trademark of Rheem Australia Pty Ltd. TM Trademark of Rheem Australia Pty Ltd. Note: Every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy in preparation of this publication. No liability can be accepted for any consequences, which may arise as a result of its application.
CONTENTS HOUSEHOLDER - We recommend you read pages 4 to 17. The other pages are intended for the installer but may be of interest About Your Water Heater ......................................................... .. 4 .. Regular Care ......................................................................... ....... 9 .. Water Supplies ........................................................................... 11 Save A Service Call ...................................................................
ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER MODEL TYPE The Rheem® water heater you have chosen is an Optima™ model. The Optima model has a temperature adjusting knob on the lower front of the water heater. Optima models are available with either a single heating unit or with twin heating units. (refer to “Single Element Model” on page 7 and “Twin Element Model” on page 7). The water heater can be installed indoor or outdoor. Optima models have an extended warranty (refer to the warranty on page 36).
ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER HOTTER WATER INCREASES THE RISK OF SCALD INJURY This water heater can deliver water at temperatures which can cause scalding. Check the water temperature before use, such as when entering a shower or filling a bath or basin, to ensure it is suitable for the application and will not cause scald injury.
ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER WARNING This water heater is only intended to be operated by persons who have the experience or the knowledge and the capabilities to do so. This water heater is not intended to be operated by persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities i.e. the infirm, or by children. Children should be supervised to ensure they do not interfere with the water heater. This water heater uses 240 V AC power for the electrically operated components.
ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER SINGLE ELEMENT MODEL This type of water heater has one heating unit with its own thermostat. The heating unit is at the base of the water heater. Continuous electricity supply This type of connection is suited to where the storage capacity is less than the normal daily usage. Off-Peak electricity supply This type of connection will only allow heating to occur during set hours. A volume of water sufficient for the day‟s total use is heated and stored.
ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER TO TURN OFF THE WATER HEATER If you plan to be away from home for only a few nights, we suggest you leave the water heater switched on. If it is necessary to turn off the water heater: Switch off the electrical supply at the isolating switch to the water heater. Unplug the power supply cord from the power outlet (power supply cord model only). Close the cold water isolation valve at the inlet to the water heater.
REGULAR CARE TEMPERATURE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE This valve is near the top of the water heater and is essential for its safe operation. It is possible for the valve to release a little water through the drain line during each heating period. This occurs as the water is heated and expands by approximately 1/50 of its volume. Continuous leakage of water from the valve and its drain line may indicate a problem with the water heater (refer to “Temperature Pressure Relief Valve Running” on page 16).
REGULAR CARE TEMPERATURE LIMITING VALVE The valve should be checked for performance every twelve months. This can be performed by measuring the water temperature from a hot tap with a thermometer. If the water is being delivered at a temperature exceeding 55°C, phone a Rheem Service Centre. The valve should be replaced at intervals not exceeding 5 years, or more frequently in areas where there is a high incidence of water deposits (refer to “Water Supplies” on page 11).
WATER SUPPLIES This water heater must be installed in accordance with this advice to be covered by the warranty. This water heater is manufactured to suit the water conditions of most public reticulated water supplies. However, there are some known water chemistries which can have detrimental effects on the water heater and its operation and / or life expectancy. If you are unsure of your water chemistry, you may be able to obtain information from your local water supply authority.
WATER SUPPLIES TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS & CONDUCTIVITY (vitreous enamel lined water heater cylinder) no warranty applies warranty applies to a vitreous enamel lined water heater cylinder if the correct coloured anode is used for the TDS / conductivity level of water 0 40 150 600 Black Green 0 60 400 215 570 TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS) - mg/L 2500 Blue 860 CONDUCTIVITY - µS/cm to a vitreous enamel lined water heater cylinder Blue 3570 ANODE SELECTION ANODE INSPECTION The anode installed
WATER SUPPLIES SATURATION INDEX The saturation index is used as a measure of the water‟s corrosive or scaling properties. 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 warranty does not apply to a copper sheathed heating unit. A corrosion resistant heating unit must be used for warranty to apply to the heating unit.
WATER SUPPLIES CHANGE OF WATER SUPPLY The changing or alternating from one water supply to another can have a detrimental effect on the operation and / or life expectation of a water heater cylinder, a temperature pressure relief valve and a heating unit. Where there is a changeover from one water supply to another, e.g.
SAVE A SERVICE CALL Check the items below before making a service call. You will be charged for attending to any condition or fault that is not related to the manufacture or failure of a part. NOT ENOUGH HOT WATER (OR NO HOT WATER) Is the electricity switched on? Inspect the isolating switch marked “HOT WATER” or “WATER HEATER” at the switchboard and the isolating switch (if one is installed) near the water heater and ensure they are turned on.
SAVE A SERVICE CALL Water heater size Do you have the correct size water heater for your requirements? The sizing guide in the Rheem sales literature and on the Rheem website (www.rheem.co.nz) suggests average sizes that may be needed. TEMPERATURE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE RUNNING Normal Operation It is normal and desirable that 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.
SAVE A SERVICE CALL EXPANSION CONTROL VALVE RUNNING If an expansion control valve is fitted in the cold water line to the water heater (refer to page 27) 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.
INSTALLATION THIS WATER HEATER IS NOT SUITABLE FOR POOL HEATING The installation must comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 3500.4, AS/NZS 3000 and all local codes and regulatory authority requirements. In New Zealand, the installation must conform with the New Zealand Building Code. All packaging materials must be removed from the water heater prior to its installation. This includes the removal of the cardboard base of the carton from the underside of the water heater.
INSTALLATION Remember all local authorities have regulations about putting water heaters into roof spaces. SAFE TRAY It is a requirement of AS/NZS 3500.4 that for a new installation, a water heater be installed in a safe tray where in the event of a leak, property may otherwise be damaged. Construction, installation and draining of a safe tray must comply with the abovementioned Standard.
INSTALLATION Feet for Rheem Externally Mounted Cylinders Optima 180, 300 and 400L Mains Pressure Water Heaters (3 pieces) Outside diameters 180 model – 488mm 300 model – 580mm 400 model – 690mm Feet are 50mm in from edge of cylinder Installation options: 1. Push tags into soft concrete at correct points according to cylinder diameter 2. Cut off tags and use a blob of construction adhesive to hold feet in place at correct points according to cylinder diameter 3.
INSTALLATION HOT WATER DELIVERY This water heater can deliver water at temperatures which can cause scalding. It is necessary and we recommend that a temperature limiting device be fitted between a Rheemglas or Optima water heater and the hot water outlets in any ablution area such as a bathroom or ensuite, to reduce the risk of scalding. The installing plumber may have a legal obligation to ensure the installation of this water heater meets the delivery water temperature requirements of AS/NZS 3500.
INSTALLATION CIRCULATED HOT WATER FLOW AND RETURN SYSTEM If a Rheem water heater is to be installed as part of a circulated hot water flow and return system, a storage water heater able to provide a hot water outlet temperature of at least 60°C must be used. Note: The thermostat must always be above 60°C. Refer to the diagram on page 23 Temperature Limiting Device A temperature limiting device cannot be installed in circulated hot water flow and return pipe work.
INSTALLATION Circulated Hot Water Flow and Return Continuous Electric Water Heater Off-Peak or Time Controlled Electricity Supply A single or twin element electric water heater connected to an Off-Peak electricity supply should not be installed as part of a circulated hot water flow and return system in a building. The benefits of the Off-Peak electricity supply will be significantly reduced.
INSTALLATION ANODE The vitreous enamel lined cylinder of the water heater is only covered by warranty when the total dissolved solids (TDS) content in the water is less than 2500 mg/L and when the correct colour coded anode is installed. The use of an incorrect colour coded anode will void the cylinder warranty and may shorten the life of the water heater cylinder.
INSTALLATION DIMENSIONS AND TECHNICAL DATA Boost Element Boost Element Inlet/ Outlet TPR Inlet/ Outlet TPR Inlet/ Outlet TPR Cable Entry Cable Entry Cable Entry Optima 180 Litre Optima 300 Litre Optima Single Element Optima Twin Element Optima 400 Litre 913 180 913 300 913 400 Hot Water Delivery Litres 180 300 Boost Capacity Litres - 50 90 A mm 1720 1825 1840 690 Dimensions Approx.
INSTALLATION TYPICAL INSTALLATION – OUTDOOR LOCATION Seismic strapping must conform with G12 NZ Building Code Plastic feet supplied must be fitted to base of cylinder.
CONNECTIONS – PLUMBING CONNECTION SIZES Optima Hot water connection: RP ¾/20 Cold water connection: RP ¾/20 Relief valve connection: RP ½/15 All plumbing work must be carried out by a qualified person and in accordance with the Plumbing Standard AS/NZS 3500.4 and local authority requirements. WATER INLET AND OUTLET All pipe work must be cleared of foreign matter before connection and purged before attempting to operate the water heater.
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. Reference to the technical specifications of the water heater and local regulatory authority requirements must be made.
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. All electrical work and permanent wiring must be carried out by a qualified person and in accordance with the Wiring Rules AS/NZS 3000 and local authority requirements.
CONNECTIONS – ELECTRICAL For reasons of safety and economy, we advise the thermostat be set at the lowest temperature that will provide sufficient hot water. Dishwasher running costs can be adversely affected if the thermostat is set below 65°C. Discuss the thermostat setting requirements with the householder.
CONNECTIONS – ELECTRICAL WIRING DIAGRAM TWIN ELEMENT ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS NON-SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION OFF-PEAK CONNECTION Electrical Circuit for Twin Element Models – Robertshaw “ST” Thermostats The active from the continuous supply must be connected to the top heating unit circuit and the active from the Off-Peak or time controlled supply must be connected to the bottom heating unit circuit.
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). Open the cold water isolation valve fully on the cold water line to the water heater. Air will be forced out of the taps. Close each tap as water flows freely from it. Check the pipe work for leaks.
DRAINING THE WATER HEATER To drain the water heater: Turn off the water heater (refer to “To Turn Off The Water Heater” on page 33). Close all hot water taps. Operate the relief valve release lever - do not let the lever snap back or you will damage the valve seat. Operating the lever will release the pressure in the water heater. Undo the union at the cold water inlet to the water heater and attach a hose to the water heater side of the union. Let the other end of the hose go to a drain.
RHEEM ELECTRIC DOMESTIC MAINS PRESSURE WATER HEATER WARRANTY WARRANTY CONDITIONS Centre's premises and the installed site shall be the owner’s responsibility. 5. Where the water heater is installed in a position that does not allow safe, ready access, the cost of accessing the site safely, including the cost of additional materials handling and / or safety equipment, shall be the owner’s responsibility. 6.
RHEEM ELECTRIC DOMESTIC MAINS PRESSURE WATER HEATER WARRANTY WARRANTY In addition to your legal rights, Rheem New Zealand makes the following promise to the customer. We will repair, or if necessary, replace a defective domestic water heater, or part, which has failed due to faulty manufacture on the following terms and conditions.
