Rheem 300 series User manual

This water heater must be installed and serviced by an authorised person.
Please leave this guide with the householder.
Owners Guide
and
Installation Instructions
Gas Domestic Indoor
Water Heater

PATENTS
This water heater may be protected by one or more patents or registered designs.
® Registered trademark of Rheem Australia Pty Ltd.
™ Trademark of Rheem Australia Pty Ltd.
Notice to Victorian Customers from the
Victorian Plumbing Industry Commission.
This water heater must be installed by a licensed person as required by
the Victorian Building Act 1993.
Only a licensed person will give you a Compliance Certificate, showing that
the work complies with all the relevant standards. Only a licensed person will
have insurance protecting their workmanship for 6 years. Make sure you use
a licensed person to install this water heater and ask for your Compliance
Certificate.
Warning: Upon completion of the installation and commissioning of the water
heater, leave this guide with the householder or responsible officer.
DO NOT leave this guide inside of the cover of the water heater, as it may
interfere with the safe operation of the water heater or ignite when the water
heater is turned on.

3
CONTENTS
HOUSEHOLDER – We recommend you read pages 4 to 12.
The other pages are intended for the installer but may be of interest.
About Your Water Heater............................................................4
How Your Water Heater Works...................................................7
Regular Care ................................................................................8
Save A Service Call ...................................................................10
Installation..................................................................................13
Connections – Plumbing ..........................................................20
Commissioning..........................................................................23
Lighting The Water Heater........................................................24
Draining The Water Heater .......................................................28
Water Supplies...........................................................................30
Warranty.....................................................................................31

4
ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER
MODEL TYPE
Congratulations for choosing a Rheem®water heater. The model you have
chosen is suitable for indoor installation only. The model is either a 300 series
Rheemglas®or 620 series Heavy Duty water heater.
HOW HOT SHOULD THE WATER BE?
The water heater features a user adjustable
thermostat, which allows you to personally
choose the most suitable temperature for
your hot water needs. Refer to
“Temperature Adjustment” on page 4.
To meet the requirements of the National
Plumbing Standard the temperature of the
stored water must not be below 60°C.
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 this water heater is installed. This will keep the
water temperature below 50°C at the bathroom and ensuite. The risk of scald
injury will be reduced and still allow hotter water to the kitchen and laundry.
TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT
The temperature adjusting dial is on the gas
valve, located at the lower front of the water
heater. A setting of ‘6’ for a Rheemglas
model and ‘3’ for a Heavy Duty model will
normally maintain the water temperature at
about 60°C. Each number represents a
temperature difference of approximately
6°C.
To increase the water temperature to 65°C for a Rheemglas model or to 80°C
for a Heavy Duty model, turn the gas control knob anticlockwise to a setting of
‘7’. Refer to “Hotter Water Increases the Risk of Scald Injury” on page 4.
Rheemglas maximum
thermostat setting
maximum
recommended supply
temperature to
bathrooms and ensuites
minimum
recommended stored
water temperature
Heavy Duty maximum
thermostat setting

ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER
5
WARNING
This water heater is not intended to be operated, adjusted or tampered with by
young children or infirm persons. Young children should be supervised to
ensure they do not interfere with the water heater.
SAFETY
•Do not store flammable or combustible
materials near the water heater.
Flammable liquids (such as petrol),
newspapers and similar articles must be
kept well away from the water heater and
the draught diverter.
•Do not use aerosols, stain removers
and household chemicals near the
water heater whilst it is working. Gases
from some aerosol sprays, stain removers
and household chemicals become
corrosive when drawn into a flame.
•Do not store swimming pool chemicals, household cleaners, etc., near
the water heater.
•Do not place anything on top of the water heater or in contact with the
draught diverter. Ensure the draught diverter is not obstructed in any way at
any time.
•Do not use Propane / Butane gas mixtures in a Propane model. A Propane
model is designed to operate on Propane only. The use of
Propane / Butane mixture, such as automotive LPG fuel, in a Propane
model is unsafe and can cause damage to the water heater.
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 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.
TO TURN OFF THE WATER HEATER
If it is necessary to turn off the water heater:
•Shut down the gas control (refer to “Close Down Procedure” on page 27).
•Close the gas isolation valve at the inlet to the gas control.
•Close the cold water isolation valve at the inlet to the water heater.

ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER
6
TO TURN ON THE WATER HEATER
•Open the cold water isolation valve fully at the inlet to the water heater.
•Open the gas isolation valve fully at the inlet to the gas control.
•Light the water heater (refer to “Lighting the Water Heater” on page 24).
HOW DO I KNOW IF THE WATER HEATER IS INSTALLED CORRECTLY?
Installation requirements are shown on page 19. The water heater must be
installed by an authorised person and the installation must comply with National
Standards AS/NZS 3500.4, AS 5601 and all local codes and regulatory
authority requirements. In New Zealand, the installation must conform with the
Code of Practice for installation of Gas Appliances NZS 5261 and the New
Zealand Building Code.
DOES THE WATER QUALITY AFFECT THE WATER HEATER?
The water heater is suitable for most public water supplies, however some
water qualities may have detrimental effects on the cylinder and fittings. If you
are in a known harsh water area you must read page 30. If you are not sure,
have your water quality checked against the conditions described on page 30.
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 quality, the water pressure,
temperature (inlet and outlet) and the water usage pattern. However, your
water heater is supported by a comprehensive warranty (refer to page 32).
ANODE PROTECTION
The anode(s) installed in your water heater will slowly dissipate whilst
protecting the cylinder. The life of the water heater cylinder may be extended
by arranging for an authorised person to inspect the anode(s) and replace if
required.
The suggested time after installation when the anode(s) should be inspected is:
Rheemglas and Heavy Duty 8 years
For softened water supplies or in areas of poor water quality, it is
recommended the anode(s) be inspected 3 years earlier than shown (refer to
“Water Supplies” on page 30).

7
HOW YOUR WATER HEATER WORKS
Water is stored in a vitreous enamel lined steel cylinder and heated by a gas
burner located under the cylinder. The heat produced by the burner is
transferred to the water through the base of the cylinder and through the wall of
a flue pipe which passes through the centre of the cylinder. A flue baffle in this
flue ensures the efficiency of the water heater is correct. The gas supply to the
burner is controlled by the thermostat so the water is heated to a constant
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 14, a pressure limiting valve must
be fitted. The supply pressure should be
greater than 350 kPa for true mains
pressure operation to be achieved.
PIEZO IGNITION
The “Piezo” push button igniter makes
lighting the pilot flame of your water heater
very easy. Simply follow the instructions on
the label attached to the front of the water
heater. There is no need for matches to
light the water heater.
PILOT IGNITER
A permanent pilot flame burns to ignite the
main burner automatically. Heat from the
pilot is absorbed by the water.
GOING ON HOLIDAYS
If you are going on holiday for more than a
few days the thermostat can be set to the
“·” (pilot) position to conserve energy
(refer to point 1 of “Close Down Procedure”
on page 27). If it is necessary to turn off the
water heater, refer to “To Turn Off The
Water Heater” on page 5.

8
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 11).
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.
If water does not flow freely from the
drain line when the lever is lifted, then
the water heater should be checked by
the Rheem Service Department or their
Accredited Service Agent.
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 30).
water
heater
drain
line
lift until water
flows from the
drain line –
lower gently

REGULAR CARE
9
EXPANSION CONTROL VALVE
In many areas, including South Australia, Western Australia and scaling water
areas, an expansion control valve is fitted to the cold water line to the water
heater. Water will flow from its drain line during the heating period.
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.
SERVICING
For safe and efficient operation, the water heater should be serviced annually
by your nearest Rheem Service Department or their Accredited Service Agent.
Only genuine replacement parts should be used on this water heater.
Warning: Servicing of a gas water heater should only be carried out by
authorised personnel.

10
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 manufacture or failure of
a part.
NOT ENOUGH HOT WATER (OR NO HOT WATER)
•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. Have your plumber fit
a flow control valve to each shower
outlet to reduce water usage.
•Pilot flame alight?
Check the pilot flame is burning by
viewing through the opening in the top
of the front cover. Relight the pilot
flame according to the lighting
instructions (refer to “Lighting the
Water Heater” on page 24).
•Temperature pressure relief valve running
Is the relief valve discharging too much water? (Refer to “Temperature
Pressure Relief Valve Running” on page 11).
•Thermostat setting
Ensure the thermostat setting is appropriate. You may choose to adjust the
thermostat upwards to gain additional hot water capacity.
Note: Hotter water increases the risk of scald injury.
•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.com.au) suggests average sizes that may be needed.
WATER NOT HOT ENOUGH
You may find that due to heavy hot water usage the water temperature may be
lower than normally expected.