Rheem Optima Technical Document

This water heater must be installed and serviced by an authorised person.

Please leave this guide with the householder.

Owner’s Guide

and

Installation Instructions

Electric Domestic

Water Heater

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

About Your Water Heater ............................................................. 4

Regular Care .................................................................................. 9

Water Supplies ........................................................................... 11

Save A Service Call ................................................................... 15

Installation .................................................................................. 18

Connections – Plumbing ........................................................... 25

Connections – Electrical ............................................................. 28

Commissioning .......................................................................... 31

Draining The Water Heater ....................................................... 34

Warranty ..................................................................................... 36

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

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).

Water is stored in a vitreous enamel lined steel cylinder and heated by the

electric immersion heating unit. The thermostat controls the temperature.

Automatic safety controls are fitted to the water heater to provide safe and

efficient operation.

MAINS PRESSURE

The water heater is designed to operate at mains pressure by connecting

directly to the mains water supply. If the mains supply pressure in your area

exceeds that shown on page 19, a pressure limiting valve must be fitted. The

supply pressure should be greater than 350 kPa for true mains pressure

operation to be achieved.

HOW HOT SHOULD THE WATER BE?

The water heater features an

adjustable thermostat, which allows

you to choose the most suitable

temperature for your hot water needs.

Refer to “Temperature Adjustment” on

page 5.

To meet the requirements of the

G12 Building Code the temperature of

the stored water must not be below 60°C.

maximum thermostat setting

Optima models

minimum thermostat setting

and minimum recommended

stored water temperature.

top heating unit thermostat

setting on a twin element

model (not adjustable)

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.

We recommend and it may also be required by regulations that an approved

temperature limiting device be fitted into the hot water pipe work to the

bathroom and ensuite when an Optima water heater is installed.

This will keep the water temperature below 55°C at the bathroom and ensuite.

The risk of scald injury will be reduced and still allow hotter water to the kitchen

and laundry.

THERMOSTAT

The thermostat automatically controls the electricity supply to the heating unit

so a constant temperature is maintained. The thermostat and its protective over

temperature cut out is mounted inside the front cover of the water heater. There

is no need to switch the water heater off when it is not in use, except when you

are on an extended holiday. The thermostat is fully automatic and power is only

used when heating is required.

TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT

An Optima water heater features a user adjustable

thermostat, which allows you to choose the most

suitable temperature for your hot water needs. To

adjust the temperature, push in the child resistant

knob and turn anticlockwise to decrease or

clockwise to increase the temperature setting. The

Optima has a minimum temperature setting of 60°C

and a maximum temperature setting of 75°C.

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. The removal of the front cover(s) will expose 240 V wiring. It must

only be removed by an authorised or qualified person.

Take care not to touch the power plug on a water heater fitted with a power

supply cord and plug with wet hands.

SAFETY

This water heater is supplied with a thermostat, an over-temperature cut-out,

and a combination temperature pressure relief valve.

These devices must not be. tampered with or removed.

The water heater must not be operated unless each of these devices is fitted

and is in working order.

The operation of the over-temperature cut-out on the thermostat indicates a

possibly dangerous situation. If the over-temperature cut-out operates, it must

not be reset and the water heater must be serviced by an authorised or

qualified person.

Warning: For continued safety of this water heater it must be installed,

operated and maintained in accordance with the Owner‟s Guide and Installation

Instructions.

The warranty can become void if relief valves or other safety devices are

tampered with or if the installation is not in accordance with these

instructions.

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. This type

of heating will be more economical due

to reduced tariffs by the electricity

authority.

TWIN ELEMENT MODEL

This type of water heater has two heating units, each with its own thermostat.

One heating unit is at the base of the water heater and the other near the top.

Bottom heating unit

During normal operation this heating

unit supplies all the hot water.

Top heating unit (Booster)

This heating unit only operates during

periods of high demand to provide an

additional supply of heated water.

Electrical connection

The two heating units are wired for non-

simultaneous operation, so that only

one heating unit can operate at a time.

The bottom heating unit is usually

connected to an Off-Peak (overnight) or

time controlled electricity supply and the

top heating unit to a continuous supply.

Some electricity suppliers allow both

heating units to be metered at the Off-

Peak or controlled tariff.

NOTE: Power must be available to the top heating unit circuit at all times

for this water heater to operate as designed.

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.

TO TURN ON THE WATER HEATER

Open the cold water isolation valve fully on the cold water line to the water

heater.

Plug in the power supply cord at the power outlet (power supply cord model

only).

Switch on the electrical supply at the isolating switch to the water heater.

GOING ON HOLIDAY?

If you plan to be away from home for one or two nights, we suggest you leave

the water heater switched on. However, if you plan to stay away more than a

few nights, conserve energy by switching the water heater off at either the

switchboard or isolating switch.

HOW DO I KNOW IF THE WATER HEATER IS INSTALLED CORRECTLY?

Installation requirements are shown on pages 18 to 26. The water heater must

be installed by an authorised person and the installation must comply with

National Standards AS/NZS 3500.4, AS/NZS 3000 and all local codes and

regulatory authority requirements. The installation must conform with the

New Zealand Building Code.

DOES THE WATER CHEMISTRY AFFECT THE WATER HEATER?

The water heater is suitable for most public water supplies, however some

water chemistries may have detrimental effects on the cylinder and fittings. If

you are in a known harsh water area you must read page 11. If you are not

sure, have your water chemistry checked against the conditions described on

page 11.

HOW LONG WILL THE WATER HEATER LAST?

There are a number of factors that will affect the length of service the water

heater will provide. These include the water chemistry, the water pressure, the

water temperature (inlet and outlet) and the water usage pattern. However,

your water heater is supported by a comprehensive warranty (refer to page 36).

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).

Warning: Never block the outlet of

this valve or its drain line for any

reason.

Operate the easing lever on the

temperature pressure relief valve once

every six months. It is very important

you raise and lower the lever gently.

DANGER: Failure to do this may

result in the water heater cylinder

failing, or under certain circumstances,

exploding.

If water does not flow freely from the

drain line when the lever is lifted, then

the water heater should be checked by

a Rheem Service Centre.

The temperature pressure relief valve should be checked for performance or

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

heater

drain

line

lift until water

flows from the

drain line –

lower gently

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). Failure to do this may result in water at a

temperature up to 70°C being delivered at the hot tap, increasing the risk of

scald injury.

EXPANSION CONTROL VALVE

An expansion control valve must be fitted to the cold water line to the water

heater. The expansion control valve may discharge a small quantity of water

from its drain line during the heating period instead of the temperature pressure

relief valve on the water heater.

Operate the easing lever on the expansion control valve once every six

months. It is very important you raise and lower the lever gently. The

expansion control valve should be checked for performance or replaced at

intervals not exceeding 5 years, or more frequently in areas where there is a

high incidence of water deposits.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

The jacket of the water heater can be cleaned with a soft cloth and warm mild

soapy water on a 3 monthly interval in coastal areas. Under no circumstances

should abrasive materials or powders be used.

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