Rheem 872 Technical Document

This water heater must be installed and serviced by a qualified person.
Please leave this guide with a responsible officer.
Owner’s Guide
and
Installation Instructions
Continuous Flow
Gas Water Heater
872 series
627 models

An electronic copy of these Owner’s Guide and Installation Instructions can be downloaded from
rheem.com.au and rheem.co.nz.
Rheem Australia Pty Ltd and Rheem New Zealand Limited are the suppliers of the Rheem range of continuous flow gas
water heaters, manufactured in Japan by Paloma Co., Ltd., a world leader in water heater technology and manufacture.
PATENTS
This water heater may be protected by one or more patents or registered designs in the name of
Rheem Australia Pty Ltd, Rheem New Zealand Limited or Paloma Co., Ltd.
TRADEMARKS
®Registered trademark of Rheem Australia Pty Ltd., or Rheem New Zealand Limited.
™ Trademark of Rheem Australia Pty Ltd., or Rheem New Zealand Limited.
Note: Every care has been taken to ensure accuracy in preparation of this publication.
No liability can be accepted for any consequences, which may arise as a result of its application.
Warning: Upon completion of the installation and commissioning of the water heater, leave this guide
with a responsible officer or the householder. 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.
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER AND INSTALLER PLEASE NOTE
This Owner’s Guide and Installation Instructions is shared for the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Where the content of this document is specific to either market, it is marked with either
AU for Australian specific content or NZ for New Zealand specific content.
The 872627 models in natural gas and propane gas fuel types are sold in Australia.
References to Universal LP Gas models do not apply to the Australian market.
The 872627 models in natural gas and Universal LP Gas fuel types are sold in New Zealand.
References to propane gas models do not apply to the New Zealand market.

3
CONTENTS
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER
This booklet contains important information about your
new water heater, including terms of the Rheem warranty.
We recommend you read pages 7 to 17,
and the terms of the Rheem warranty on pages 4 to 6.
The other pages are intended for the installer but may be of interest.
Warranty..................................................................................................................................4
Safety, Warnings, Installation Notes......................................................................................7
About Your Water Heater........................................................................................................9
Water Supplies......................................................................................................................14
Save A Service Call...............................................................................................................15
Installation –Water Heater ...................................................................................................18
Connections –Plumbing ......................................................................................................28
Connections –Electrical.......................................................................................................30
Multiple Installations.............................................................................................................31
Commissioning.....................................................................................................................34
Draining The Water Heater ...................................................................................................40
RHEEM AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, A.B.N. 21 098 823 511
www.rheem.com.au, www.rheem.co.nz
For Service Telephone 131 031 AUSTRALIA or 0800 657 335 NEW ZEALAND

4
RHEEM CONTINUOUS FLOW GAS WATER HEATER
WARRANTY –AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND ONLY
CONTINUOUS FLOW GAS WATER HEATER 872627 MODELS
1. THE RHEEM WARRANTY –GENERAL
1.1 This warranty is given in Australia by Rheem Australia Pty Limited ABN 21 098 823 511 of 1 Alan Street,
Rydalmere New South Wales, and in New Zealand by Rheem New Zealand Limited of 475 Rosebank
Road Avondale Auckland 1026, the suppliers of Rheem continuous flow gas water heaters.
1.2 Rheem offer a trained and qualified national service network who will repair or replace components at
the address of the water heater subject to the terms of the Rheem warranty. Rheem Service, in addition
can provide preventative maintenance and advice on the operation of your water heater. The Rheem
Servicecontact number in Australia is 131031, with Contact Centre personnelavailable 24 hours, 7 days
a week to take your call and if necessary to arrange a service call for during normal working hours
Monday to Friday (hours subject to change) or in New Zealand on 0800 657 335.
1.3 For details about this warranty, you can contact us in Australia on 131031 or by email at
warrantyenqu[email protected]m.au (not for service bookings), or in New Zealand on 0800 657 335 or by
email at [e-mail] (not for service bookings).
1.4 The terms of this warranty and what is covered by it are set out in sections 2 and 3 and apply to water
heaters manufactured after 1st September 2018.
1.5 If a subsequent version of this warranty is published, the terms of that warranty and what is covered by
it will apply to water heaters manufactured after the date specified in the subsequent version.
2. TERMS OF THE RHEEM WARRANTY AND EXCLUSIONS TO IT
2.1 The decision of whether to repair or replace a faulty component is at Rheem’s sole discretion.
2.2 If you require a call out and we find that the fault is not covered by the Rheem warranty, you are
responsible for our standard call out charge. If you wish to have the relevant component repaired or
replaced by Rheem, that service will be at your cost.
2.3 Where a failed component or cylinder is replaced under this warranty, the balance of the original
warranty period will remain effective. The replacement does not carry a new Rheem warranty.
2.4 Where the water heater is installed outside the boundaries of a metropolitan area as defined by Rheem
or further than 25 km from either a regional Rheem branch office or an Accredited Rheem Service
Agent’s / Centre’s office, the cost of transport, insurance and travelling between the nearest branch
office or Rheem Accredited Service Agent’s / Centre’s office and the installed site shall be the owner’s
responsibility.
2.5 Where the water heater is installed in a position that does not allow safe or ready access, the cost of
that access, including the cost of additional materials handling and/or safety equipment, shall be the
owner’s responsibility. In other words, the cost of dismantling or removing cupboards, doors or walls
andthe cost of any special equipment to bring the water heater to floor or groundlevel or to a serviceable
position is not covered by this warranty.
2.6 This warranty only applies to the originaland genuine Rheem water heater in its original installed location
and any genuine Rheem replacement parts.
2.7 The Rheem warranty does not cover faults that are a result of:
a) Accidental damage to the water heater or any component (for example: (i) Acts of God such as
floods, storms, fires, lightning strikes and the like; and (ii) third party acts or omissions).
b) Misuse or abnormal use of the water heater.
c) Installation not in accordance with the Owner’s Guide and Installation Instructions or with relevant
statutory and local requirements in the State or Territory in which the water heater is installed.
d) Connection at any time to a water supply that does not comply with the water supply guidelines as
outlined in the Owner’s Guide and Installation Instructions.
e) Repairs, attempts to repair or modifications to the water heater by a person other than Rheem
Service or a Rheem Accredited Service Agent / Centre.

RHEEM CONTINUOUS FLOW GAS WATER HEATER
WARRANTY –AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND ONLY
5
CONTINUOUS FLOW GAS WATER HEATER 872627 MODELS
f) Faulty plumbing or faulty gas or power supply.
g) Failure to maintain the water heater in accordance with the Owner's Guide and Installation
Instructions.
h) Transport damage.
i) Fair wear and tear from adverse conditions (for example, corrosion).
j) Cosmetic defects.
k) Ice formation in the waterways of a water heater: where the electricity supply has been switched off
or has failed and the water heater has not been drained in accordance with the instructions; or due
to an ambient temperature below -20°C (including wind chill factor).
2.8 Subject to any statutory provisions to the contrary, thiswarranty excludes any and all claims for damage
to furniture, carpet, walls, foundations or any other consequential loss either directly or indirectly due to
leakage from the water heater, or due to leakage from fittings and/ or pipe work of metal, plastic or other
materials caused by water temperature, workmanship or other modes of failure.
2.9 If the water heater is not sized to supply the hot water demand in accordance with the guidelines in the
Rheem water heater literature, any resultant fault will not be covered by the Rheem warranty.
2.10 In New Zealand this warranty excludes to the extent permissible all implied warranties set out in the
Sale of Goods Act 1908 (New Zealand) and all guarantees set out in the Consumers Guarantees Act
1993 (New Zealand) to the extent that the goods are acquired for the purpose of resupply in trade
consumption in the course of a process of production or manufacture or repairing or treating in trade
other goods or fixtures on land.
3. WHAT IS COVERED BY THE RHEEM WARRANTY
FOR THE WATER HEATERS DETAILED IN THIS DOCUMENT
3.1 Rheem will repair or replace a faulty component of your water heater if it fails to operate in accordance
with its specifications as follows:
What components
are covered
The period from the date of
installation in which the
fault must appear in order to
be covered
What coverage you receive
All components
Year 1
Repair and/or replacement of the faulty
component, free of charge, including labour.
All components
(only if the water heater is
installed in a single-family
domestic dwelling with a
preset outlet temperature
setting below 76°C)
Years 2 & 3
Repair and/or replacement of the faulty
component, free of charge, including labour.
The heat exchanger
(if the water heater is installed
in a single-family domestic
dwelling with a preset outlet
temperature setting
below 76°C)
Years 4 to 10
Replacement heat exchanger, free of
charge. Installation and repair labour costs
are the responsibility of the owner.
The heat exchanger
(if the water heater is not
installed in a single-family
domestic dwelling, and with a
preset outlet temperature
setting below 76°C)
Years 2 to 5
Replacement heat exchanger, free of
charge. Installation and repair labour costs
are the responsibility of the owner.

RHEEM CONTINUOUS FLOW GAS WATER HEATER
WARRANTY –AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND ONLY
6
CONTINUOUS FLOW GAS WATER HEATER 872627 MODELS
4. ENTITLEMENT TO MAKE A CLAIM UNDER THIS WARRANTY
4.1 To be entitled to make a claim under this warranty you need to:
a) Be the owner of the water heater or have consent of the owner to act on their behalf.
b) Contact Rheem Service without undue delay after detection of the defect and, in any event, within
the applicable warranty period.
4.2 You are not entitled to make a claim under this warranty if your water heater:
a) Does not have its original serial numbers or rating labels.
b) Is not installed in Australia or New Zealand.
5. HOW TO MAKE A CLAIM UNDER THIS WARRANTY
5.1 If you wish to make a claim under this warranty, you need to:
a) Contact Rheem on 131031 in Australia or 0800 657 335 in New Zealand and provide owner’s
details, address of the water heater, a contact number and date of installation of the water heater
or if that’s unavailable, the date of manufacture andserial number (fromthe rating label onthe water
heater).
b) Rheem will arrange for the water heater to be tested and assessed on-site.
c) If Rheem determines that you have a valid warranty claim, Rheem will repair or replace the water
heater in accordance with this warranty.
5.2 Any expenses incurred in the making of a claim under this warranty will be borne by you.
6. THE AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW
6.1 In Australia, our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer
Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and for compensation for any other
reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if
the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.
6.2 The Rheem warranty (set out above) is in addition to any rights and remedies that you may have under
the Australian Consumer Law.
7. THE CONSUMER GUARANTEES ACT 1993 (NEW ZEALAND)
7.1 In New Zealand, our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Consumer
Guarantees Act 1993 (New Zealand). If the goods fail to comply with the applicable guarantees set out
under the ConsumerGuarantees Act 1993 (NewZealand) being the guarantee as to acceptable quality,
the guarantee as to correspondence with description or the guarantee as to repair and parts, or if the
goods fail to comply with any express guarantee given by Rheem,then you are entitled to a replacement
or refund and for compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage.
7.2 The Rheem warranty (set out above) is in addition to any rights and remedies that you may have under
the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (New Zealand).

7
SAFETY, WARNINGS, INSTALLATION NOTES
It is important you read the following safety and warnings information.
SAFETY AND WARNINGS
•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.
•If the power supply cord or plug is damaged, it must be replaced by a qualified person in order to avoid a
hazard. The power supply cord and plug must be replaced with a genuine replacement part available from
Rheem. Phone Rheem Service or their nearest Accredited Service Agent / Centre to arrange for an
inspection.
•The power lead from the water heater must be plugged into a weatherproof electrical outlet. Take care
not to touch the power plug with wet hands.
•The water heater uses 220 - 240 V a.c. electrical power for operation of the control systems and the
combustion fan.The removal ofthe front panel will expose220 - 240 V a.c. wiring.It must only beremoved
by a qualified person.
•This water heater is supplied with temperature sensors, a FlameSafe®protection system and a pressure
relief valve. These devices must not betampered with or removed. The water heatermust not beoperated
unless each of these devices is fitted and is in working order.
The Rheem warranty may not cover faults if safety devices or the relief valve are tampered with or
if the installation is not in accordance with these instructions.
•Temperature controllers must not be fitted to this water heater (872 series) if it is installed as an in-series
gas booster with a solar water heater system because water at a temperature much higher than the
controller setting can be delivered. If a solar water heater is installed to an existing water heater
installation, then all controllers must be disconnected and removed.
•For continued safety of this water heater it must be installed, operated and maintained in accordance with
the Owner’s Guide and Installation Instructions.
•Servicing of the water heater must only be carried out by qualified personnel. Phone Rheem Service or
their nearest Accredited Service Agent / Centre.
•Do not modify this water heater.
•Switch off the electrical supply at the power outlet to the water heater prior to performing general
maintenance. This will prevent the water heater from operating while you clean or spray around the water
heater. Refer to “General Maintenance” on page 11 for additional information.
•Do not spray aerosols in the vicinity of this water heater while it
is in operation. Propellants and gases in many aerosol sprays
contain hydrocarbons which are flammable. Gases from aerosol
sprays may also become corrosive when drawn into a flame.
•Do not use or store flammable materials in or near this water
heater. Flammable liquids (such as petrol), combustible
materials (such as newspapers) and similar articles must be kept
well away from the water heater and the flue terminal.
•Do not store swimming pool chemicals, household cleaners,
etc., near the water heater.
•Do not place articles on or against this water heater, or in contact
with the flue terminal. Ensure the flue terminal is not obstructed
in any way at any time.

SAFETY, WARNINGS, INSTALLATION NOTES
8
•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 LP gas fuel, in a Propane
model is unsafe and can cause damage to the water heater.
Note: LP gas models sold in New Zealand are designed to operate on the Propane / Butane mixture
supplied in New Zealand. An LP gas model has an LFZ suffix in its model number.
•The water heater has a frost protection system to protect against damage by preventing ice forming in the
waterways of the water heater, in the event of freezing conditions occurring. The frost protection system
will be rendered inoperable if electrical power is not available at the water heater. If it is necessary to
switch the power off to the water heater and there is a risk of freezing, then it is necessary to drain the
water heater. Refer “Frost Protection” on page 11 and to “Draining the Water Heater” on page 13.
INSTALLATION NOTES
This water heater must be installed:
•by a qualified person,
•in accordance with the installation instructions,
•in compliance with the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) and Plumbing Standard AS/NZS 3500.4,
▪This water heater is designed for outdoor installation only.
▪This water heater is intended to be permanently connected to the water mains and not connected by
a hose-set. A braided flexible hose or semi-flexible connector maybe used forconnection tothe water
heater, where permitted by AS/NZS 3500.4.
•in compliance with the Gas Installations Standard AS/NZS 5601.1,
▪The Gas installations Standard AS/NZS 5601.1 places limitations on thelocationof a gas water heater
within a covered area. Refer to “Installation within a Covered Area” on page 20.
•in compliance with all local codes and regulatory authority requirements,
•in New Zealand also conforming to Clauses G11, G12 and H1 of the New Zealand Building Code.
Installation and commissioning requirements and details for the installing plumber and licensed electrical
worker are contained on pages 18 to 40.
Mains pressure water supply
The water heater is designed to operate at mains pressure by connecting directly to the mains water supply.
The maximum mains water supply pressure for the water heater is 1,000 kPa. If the mains supply pressure in
your area exceeds 1,000 kPa, an approved pressure limiting valve that does not have non-return valve
characteristics (such as an RMC PSL series valve) must be installed.
A minimum water supply pressure of 140 kPa is required to achieve the rated flow and performance of the
water heater.
Refer to “Mains Water Supply” on page 20 for additional information.
Mounting of the water heater
This water heater must be installed vertically upright with the water, gas and power connections on the
underside, pointing toward the ground. The back of the water heater can be either against a wall or supported
by a frame. The water heater must be well secured to the wall or frame using two fasteners, suitable for the
wall or frame type, each at the top and bottom of the unit. Refer to the note on page 19 for additional
information.
Alternatively the water heater can be installed recessed into a wall, using a proprietary made recess box from
Rheem for such an installation. Refer to the installation instructions which accompany the recess box kit for
the dimensions of the space required and information on its installation. Refer also to “Recess Installation” on
page 20.

9
ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER
WATER HEATER APPLICATION
This water heater is designed for the purpose of heating potable water. Its use in an application other than this
may shorten its life.
MODEL TYPE
The Rheem®continuous flow gas water heater model you have chosen is for outdoor installation only.
The water heater has a maximum preset outlet temperature setting of:
•872 series 82°C
If a temperature controller is connected to the water heater, this will
override the preset outlet temperature setting and the maximum
temperature setting will be:
•Kitchen controller connected 60°C
•Bathroom controller only connected 50°C
WATER HEATER OPERATION
The water heater operates automatically, heating water as it passes
through the water heater. When a hot tap is opened, the gas burners
ignite to provide immediate heating of the water. The heat produced by
the burner is transferred to the water through the heat exchanger. The
water is heated to a constant temperature by the automatic adjustment
of the gas supply to the burner to suit the water flow rate. The gas
burners extinguish when the hot tap is closed.
Automatic safety controls are fitted to the water heater to provide safe and efficient operation.
REDUCED HOT WATER FLOW WHEN HEAT EXCHANGER IS COLD
At a cold start-up, i.e. when the water heater has not operated for some time (which is most often first thing in
the morning), the initial flow of hot water maybe reduced for aperiod of5-10 seconds while theheat exchanger
warms up. This is both an energy and water saving feature of this water heater. Once the heat exchanger
has warmed up the hot water flow will increase and remain at normal flow levels. This feature will only occur
at a cold start-up and not when the heat exchanger is already warm from a recent use of hot water.
GAS BOOSTING FOR A SOLAR WATER HEATER
The 872 series water heater may be installed as an in-series gas booster to a solar water heater.
Water stored in the solar storage tank passes through the in-series gas booster when a hot tap is opened. The
in-series gas booster is for heating water at times of low solar energy gain, such as during cloudy or rainy
weather, or during colder months.
The in-series gas booster operates automatically. When the solar heated water is at a temperature lower than
2°C below a water heater preset outlet temperature setting of up to 75°C (i.e. below 68°C if the preset outlet
temperature setting is 70°C) or lower than 4°Cbelow a water heater preset outlet temperature setting of 82°C,
the in-series gas booster heats the water to a minimum temperature of the preset outlet temperature setting.
Solar heated water canreach temperaturesup to 70°Cto 80°C for a Premier Loline and Loline pumped system
and possibly higher for a Hiline and Premier Hiline thermosiphon system. When the solar heated water is at a
temperature higher than 2°C below a water heater preset outlet temperature setting of up to 75°C (i.e. 68°C
or above if the preset outlet temperature setting is 70°C) or higher than 4°C below a water heater preset outlet
temperature setting of 82°C, the flow passes through the in-series gas booster without boosting.
For information relating to the function and operation of the solar water heater, refer to the Owner’s Guide and
Installation Instructions supplied with the solar water heater.

ABOUT YOUR WATER HEATER
10
HOW HOT SHOULD THE WATER BE?
The water heater has a maximum preset outlet temperature
setting of 82°C. For applications requiring sanitising
temperatures, the outlet temperature should be set at 82°C. The
minimum recommended preset outlet temperature setting is
60°C.
If the water heater is installed as part of a circulated hot water
flow and returnsystem in abuilding, the preset outlettemperature
setting of the water heater must be set to at least 60°C.
If a temperature controller is not installed, the water heater heats
the water to the preset outlet temperature setting. The factory
preset outlet temperature setting is:
•872 series 60°C –AU for a single water heater
55°C –NZ for a single water heater
60°C as part of a Multipak®system
70°C as part of a Commpak®system
70°C as part of a Tankpak®system
Note: The preset outlet temperature setting of this water heater
cannot be adjusted by a responsible officer or the householder.
The setting can only be adjusted by the installer, Rheem Service
or their nearest Accredited Service Agent / Centre.
Note: Australian Standard AS 3498 and New Zealand Building Code Clause G12 requires that a water heater
provides the means to inhibit the growth of Legionella bacteria in potable water. When this water heater is
usedas an in-series booster for asolar water heater it can satisfythese AS 3498and Clause G12 requirements
provided it is energised, the booster preset outlet temperature setting is 70°C or higher, and that a remote
temperature controller is not used.
Warning: Temperature controllers must not be fitted to this water heater (872 series) if it is installed as an
in-series gas booster with a solar water heater system because water at a temperature much higher than the
controller setting can be delivered. If a solar water heater is installed to an existing water heater installation,
then all controllers must be disconnected and removed.
If this water heater is installed as part of a solar water heater system, the system can deliver water at
temperatures up to 82°C and possibly higher depending upon the model of solar water heater installed and
the preset outlet temperature of this water heater.
HOTTER WATER INCREASES THE RISK OF SCALD INJURY
An 872 series water heater can deliver hot water at a temperature up to 82°C depending upon its preset outlet
temperature setting. This temperature is sufficiently hot to cause severe scalding. Water at this temperature
may have been plumbed to fixtures where water hotter than 50°C is allowed, such as a kitchen, laundry and
other areas requiring sanitising temperatures.
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 be required by regulations that an approved temperature limiting device be fitted
into the hot water piping to ablution, bathing and public areas when an 872 series water heater is installed.
This will keep the water temperature below the maximum permitted by the Plumbing Code of Australia and
New Zealand Building Code Clause G12 to these areas. The risk of scald injury will be reduced and if no
controllers are installed and the preset outlet temperature setting has not been adjusted below 55°C or if a
Kitchen controller is installed, still allow hotter water to the kitchen, laundry and other areas requiring sanitising
temperatures.
maximum preset outlet
temperature setting (82°C)
AU –maximum recommended
supply temperature to bathrooms,
ensuites and public areas
AU –minimum recommended
preset outlet temperature setting
NZ –minimum recommended
preset outlet temperature setting,
and maximum recommended
supply temperature to bathrooms,
ensuites and public areas