Rheem 92-103234-02, AP15121-1, HP50RH, HP50RU, HP40RU User Manual

!

Use & Care Manual

With Installation Instructions for the Installer

Electric Residential Heat Pump

Water Heaters

Residential 40 & 50 Gallon

The purpose of this manual is twofold:
one, to provide the installer with the basic
directions and recommendations for the proper
installation and adjustment of the water heater;
and two, for the owner–operator, to explain
the features, operation, safety precautions,
maintenance and troubleshooting of the water
heater. This manual also includes a parts list.

It is imperative that all persons who are
expected to install, operate or adjust this
water heater read the instructions carefully
so they may understand how to perform
these operations. If you do not understand
these instructions or any terms within it, seek
professional advice.

Any questions regarding the operation,
maintenance, service or warranty of this
water heater should be directed to the seller
from whom it was purchased. If additional
information is required, refer to the section on
“If you need service.”

Do not destroy this manual. Please read
carefully and keep in a safe place for future
reference.

Recognize this symbol as an
indication of Important Safety

!

Information!

California Proposition 65 Warning:
This product contains chemicals known
to the State of California to cause
cancer, birth defects or other
reproductive harm.

Printed in USA

© 2009 Rheem Manufacturing Co.

92-103234-02

AP15121-1 (01/10)

Safety Information

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Safety Precautions . . . . . . . 3, 4

FOR YOUR RECORDS

Write the model and serial numbers here:

#

Installation Instructions

Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Water Connections . . . . . . . . 6

Relief Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Electrical Connections. . . . . . 8

Pipe Insulation . . . . . . . . . 9-10

Condensate Drain . . . . . . . . 10

Installation Checklist . . . . . . .11

Operating Instructions

Safety Controls . . . . . . . . . . 12

Water Temperature . . . . . . . .12

Sequence of Operations 14-16

Care and Cleaning

Draining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

#

You can find them on a label on the appliance.

Staple sales slip or cancelled check here.

Proof of the original purchase date is needed to obtain service
under the warranty.

READ THIS MANUAL

Inside you will find many helpful hints on how to use and
maintain your water heater properly. Just a little preventive
care on your part can save you a great deal of time and money
over the life of your water heater.

You’ll find many answers to common problems in the Before
You Call For Service section. If you review our chart of
Troubleshooting Tips first, you may not need to call for service
at all.

READ THE SAFETY INFORMATION

Your safety and the safety of others are very important. There
are many important safety messages in this manual and on your
appliance. Always read and obey all safety messages.

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Extended Shut-Down . . . . . 18

Troubleshooting Tips

Before You Call

For Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Customer Service

Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Wiring Diagram . . . . . . . . . . 22

If You Need

Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

This is the safety alert symbol. Recognize this symbol
as an indication of Important Safety Information!

!

This symbol alerts you to potential hazards that can
kill or hurt you and others.

All safety messages will follow the safety alert symbol and
either the word “DANGER”, “WARNING”, “CAUTION” or
“NOTICE”.

These words mean:

DANGER

!

WARNING

!

CAUTION

NOTICE:

An imminently hazardous situation
that will result in death or serious
injury.

A potentially hazardous situation that
could result in death or serious injury
and/or damage to property.

A potentially hazardous situation that
may result in minor or moderate
injury.

Attention is called to observe a
specified procedure or maintain a
specific condition.

2

!

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

DANGER!

WATER TEMPERATURE SETTING

Safety and energy conservation are factors to be considered when selecting the water
temperature setting of water heater. Water temperatures above 125°F can cause severe
burns or death from scalding. Be sure to read and follow the warnings outlined on the
label pictured below. This label is also located on the water heater near the thermistor
access panel.

Time/Temperature Relationship in Scalds

Temperature Time To Produce a Serious Burn

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D A N G E R

HOT

BURN

Water temperature over 125°F can
cause severe burns instantly or
death from scalds.

Children, disabled and elderly are
at highest risk of being scalded.

See instruction manual before
setting temperature at water
heater.

Feel water before bathing or
showering.

Temperature limiting valves are
available, see manual.

NOTICE: Mixing valves are available for reducing point
of use water temperature by mixing hot and cold water
in branch water lines. Contact a licensed plumber or the
local plumbing authority for further information.

120°F (49°C) More than 5 minutes
125°F (52°C) 1½ to 2 minutes
130°F (54°C) About 30 seconds
135°F (57°C) About 10 seconds
140°F (60°C) Less than 5 seconds
145°F (63°C) Less than 3 seconds
150°F (65°C) About 1½ seconds
155°F (68°C) About 1 second

Table courtesy of Shriners Burn Institute

The chart shown above may be used as a guide
in determining the proper water temperature for your
home.

DANGER: Households with small children, disabled,
or elderly persons may require a 120°F or lower thermostat
setting to prevent contact with “HOT” water.

The temperature of the water in the heater is regulated
by the water heater interface control. To comply with
safety regulations the temperature was set at 122°F
before the water heater was shipped from the factory.

Temperatures

Hotter
Water

Cooler
Water

RISK OF SCALDING INCREASES

CAUTION

WITH HOTTER WATER

TEMPERATURE

SETTING

OPERATION MODE

HEAT PUMP OFF

135°-140° F

130°-135° F

125°-130° F

120°-125° F

105°-120° F

90°-105° F

The illustration at the
left shows the water

Review operating manual before use.
Operating procedures are outlined in the
manual for optimal performance.

temperature setting.

Refer to the
Operating Instructions
in this manual for
detailed instructions
in how to adjust the
water temperature.

!

DANGER: Hotter water increases the potential for Hot

Water SCALDS.

3

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

WARNING!

For your safety, the information in this manual must be followed to minimize the risk of
fire or explosion, electric shock, or to prevent property damage, personal injury, or loss of
life.

Be sure to read and understand the entire Use and Care Manual before attempting
to install or operate this water heater. It may save you time and cost. Pay particular
attention to the Safety Instructions. Failure to follow these warnings could result in
serious bodily injury or death. Should you have problems understanding the instructions
in this manual, or have any questions, STOP, and get help from a qualified service
technician, or the local electric utility.

FOR INSTALLATIONS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

California Law requires that residential water heaters must be braced, anchored or
strapped to resist falling or horizontal displacement due to earthquake motions. For
residential water heaters up to 52-gallon capacity, a brochure with generic earthquake
bracing instructions can be obtained from: Office of the State Architect, 1102 Q
Street,Suite 5100, Sacramento, CA 95814 or you may call 916-445-8100 or ask a water
heater dealer.

However, applicable local codes shall govern installation. For residential water heaters
of a capacity greater than 52 gallons, consult the local building jurisdiction for acceptable
bracing procedures.

CAUTION: Do not to “crush” or otherwise impair the removal of the “plastic” front

(side) panel.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Have the installer show you the location of the circuit breaker and how to shut it off if
necessary. Turn off the circuit breaker if the water heater has been subjected to overheating,
fire, flood, physical damage or if the ECO (temperature limiting control) fails to shut off.

● Read this manual entirely before installing

or operating the water heater.

● Use this appliance only for its intended

purpose as described in this Use and Care
Manual.

● Be sure your appliance is properly installed

in accordance with local codes and the
provided installation instructions.

WARNING!

Disconnect all power to unit before starting maintenance. Failure to do so can cause
electrical shock resulting in severe personal injury or death.

● Do not attempt to repair or replace any part

of your water heater unless it is specifically
recommended in this manual. All other
servicing should be referred to a qualified
technician.

READ AND FOLLOW THIS SAFETY INFORMATION
CAREFULLY.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

4

Installing the water heater.

!

The location chosen for the water heater must take into consideration the following:

Local Installation Regulations

This water heater must be installed
in accordance with these instructions,
local codes, utility codes, utility
company requirements or, in the
absence of local codes, the latest
edition of the National Electrical
Code. It is available from some local
libraries or can be purchased from the

Location

National Fire Protection Association,
Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA
02269 as booklet ANSI/NFPA 70.

Canadian installations should refer to
CSA22.1, a copy can be purchased
from the Canadian Standards
Association, 5050 Spectrum Way,
Mississauga,ONT L4W 5N6

NOTICE: Auxiliary catch
pan MUST conform to
local codes.

Catch Pan Kits are
available from the store
where the water heater was
purchased, or any water
heater distributor.

Catch Pan should not
obstruct cold inlet or drain
valve.

Locate the water heater in a clean dry
area as near as practical to the area of
greatest heated water demand. Long
un-insulated hot water lines can waste
energy and water.

Place the water heater in such a
manner that the thermistor and
element access panels can be removed
to permit inspection and servicing such
as removal of elements or checking
controls.

The water heater and water lines
should be protected from freezing
temperatures. Do not install the water
heater in outdoor, unprotected areas.

Make certain the floor underneath
the water heater is strong enough to
sufficiently support the weight of
the water heater once it is filled with
water.

B

A— Diameter of water

heater plus 2" min..

B— Maximum 2″

CAUTION: The water heater
should not be located in an area
where leakage of the tank or
connections will result in damage
to the area adjacent to it or to
lower floors of the structure. Where
such areas cannot be avoided, it
is recommended that a suitable
catch pan, adequately drained, be
installed under the water heater.

NOTICE: Installation in a closet or
confined space is not allowed.

Heat Pump Water Heater requires
approximately 1,000 cu. ft of
unconditioned indoor ambient air to
operate properly.

Clearances

Rear Top

2" 8" Min.

A

To open drain, line
should be at least 3/4″ ID
and pitched for proper
drainage.

Inspect Shipment

Inspect the water heater for possible damage. Check the markings on the rating
plate of the water heater to be certain the power supply corresponds to the water
heater requirements. Rating plate is located on front of water heater.

Refrigerant

This heat pump water heater is factory charged with an environmentally
friendly, non-chlorinated refrigerant, R410A. This refrigerant has zero ozone
depletion potential.

5

Installing the water heater.

Thermal Expansion

Determine if a check valve exists in the
inlet water line. Check with your local
water utility. It may have been installed in

the cold water line as a separate back flow
preventer, or it may be part of a pressure
reducing valve, water meter or water
softener. A check valve located in the cold
water inlet line can cause what is referred
to as a “closed water system”. A cold
water inlet line with no check valve or back
flow prevention device is referred to as an
“open” water system.

As water is heated, it expands in volume
and creates an increase in the pressure
within the water system. This action is
referred to as “thermal expansion”. In
an “open” water system, expanding water
which exceeds the capacity of the water
heater flows back into the city main where
the pressure is easily dissipated.

A “closed water system”, however,
prevents the expanding water from
flowing back into the main supply line,
and the result of “thermal expansion”
can create a rapid and dangerous pressure
increase in the water heater and system

piping. This rapid pressure increase can
quickly reach the safety setting of the
relief valve, causing it to operate during
each heating cycle. Thermal expansion,
and the resulting rapid and repeated
expansion and contraction of components
in the water heater and piping system can
cause premature failure of the relief valve,
and possibly the heater itself. Replacing
the relief valve will not correct the
problem!

The suggested method of controlling
thermal expansion is to install an expansion
tank in the cold water line between the
water heater and the check valve (refer
to the illustration on the next page). The
expansion tank is designed with an air
cushion built in that compresses as the
system pressure increases, thereby relieving
the over pressure condition and eliminating
the repeated operation of the relief valve.
Other methods of controlling thermal
expansion are also available. Contact
your installing contractor, water supplier
or plumbing inspector for additional
information regarding this subject.

Water Supply Connections

Refer to the illustration on the next page
for suggested typical installation. The
installation of unions or flexible copper
connectors is recommended on the hot and
cold water connections so that the water
heater may be easily disconnected for
servicing if necessary. The HOT and COLD
water connections are clearly marked and
are 3/4″ NPT on all models. Install a shut-off
valve in the cold water line near the water

heater. See page 8 on "To Fill The Water

Heater".

NOTICE: Do not apply heat to the HOT
or COLD water connections. If sweat
connections are used, sweat tubing to
adapter before fitting adapter to the water
connections on heater. Any heat applied to
the water supply fittings will permanently
damage the dip tube and/or heat traps.

Condensate Drains for the Heat Pump

Consult local codes or ordinances for
specific requirements. Refer to page 7.

IMPORTANT: When making drain fitting
connections to the drain tubing, use a thin
layer of piping tape or silicone and install
hand tight.

IMPORTANT: When making drain fitting
connections to the drain tubing, DO NOT
overtighten. Overtightening fittings can split
pipe connections on the drain pan.

• Do not reduce drain line size less than
connection size provided on condensate
drain.

• All drain lines must be pitched

downward away from the unit a
minimum of 1/8" per foot of line to
ensure proper drainage.

• Do not connect condensate drain line
to a closed or open sewer pipe. Do not
allow condensate to drain into the water
heater drain pan.

• The drain line should be insulated
where necessary to prevent sweating
and damage due to condensate forming
on the outside surface of the line.

• This unit is equipped with a 3/4"
primary condensate connection and a
1/2" overflow connection.

6