Buyer’s guide: Which heat pump water heater is right for me?

Heat pumps are a smart and energy-efficient solution to water heating. They capture heat from the surrounding air, which is then transferred to the water, helping you to reduce your energy consumption. How much you can save on your hot water energy use depends on certain factors, including:

• The new heat pump you are installing.
• The system you are replacing.
• The climate where you live.
• How much hot water you use.

Rheem has a range of four steady, hot and strong heat pump water heaters, each suited to different household needs across different areas and climate zones. In this article, we will look at each Rheem heat pump, ranging from 178 to 325 litres, and explore which system could best suit your requirements.

BUYER’S GUIDE: WHICH RHEEM HEAT PUMP SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Rheem AmbiPower® 280e Heat Pump

If you have a larger family, the Rheem AmbiPower® 280e Heat Pump is a smart choice thanks to its 280L capacity. Also, this heat pump’s ultra-low Global Warming Potential (GWP) R290 refrigerant makes it an environmentally-friendly option.

This system is an ideal replacement for a medium to large electric water heater. Other benefits include:

• Suitable for families of up to six people.
• Save up to 73% on your hot water energy consumption in Zone 3.¹
• Heat pump operates in temperatures ranging from -6°C to +43°C.² There is a 2.4kW backup element that provides hot water outside of this temperature range.
• High average Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 5.2: The system supplies 5.2 times as much heat energy to the water as it consumes in electricity.³
• Manufactured in Australia.

Learn more about the Rheem AmbiPower 280e Heat Pump

Rheem Ambiheat® HDc-270 Heat Pump

The Rheem Ambiheat® HDc-270 Heat Pump is a premium heat pump, suitable for medium to large homes and families thanks to its 270L capacity. This heat pump is an ideal replacement for a medium to large electric water heater. Here are some other benefits:

• Suitable for a household of up to six people.
• Highest recovery Heat Pump in the Rheem range meaning more hot water, faster.
• Available with Low GWP 513a refrigerant for the environmentally conscious.
• Save up to 73% on your hot water energy consumption in Zone 3.¹
• Operates in temperatures ranging from -5°C to +43°C.²
• There is a 2.4kW backup element that provides hot water outside of this temperature range.
• Average COP of 4.5.³
• Manufactured in Australia.

Learn more about the Rheem Ambiheat HDc-270 Heat Pump

Rheem AmbiPower® MDc-180 Heat Pump

If you have a small household, the Rheem AmbiPower® MDc-180 Heat Pump is a good option. With its 178L capacity, this heat pump is the ideal replacement for a small to medium electric water heater. Other benefits include:

• Suitable for smaller families of up to three people.
• Available with Low GWP R513a refrigerant.
• Save up to 70% on your hot water energy consumption in Zone 3.¹
• Operates in temperatures ranging from -7°C to +43°C.² There is a 2.4kW backup element that provides hot water outside of this temperature range.
• Average COP of 4.5 at 19ᵒC ambient air temperature.³
• High hot water recovery.
• Manufactured by Rheem.

Learn more about the Rheem AmbiPower MDc-180 Heat Pump

The AmbiPower and Ambiheat Heat Pumps have advanced wrap-around microchannel heating technology for faster water heating. Also, each system has a timer function which allows you to set the water heater to operate at certain hours.

Rheem MPi-325 Series II Heat Pump

The Rheem MPi-325 Series II Heat Pump is suitable for medium to large homes with its 325L capacity. Here are some other benefits:

• Smart option if you live in a warmer climate.
• Save up to 65% on your hot water energy consumption in Zone 3.¹
• Strong average COP of 3.6.³
• Frost protection and 3.6kW backup element for hot water on cold winter nights.
• Manufactured in Australia.

Learn more about the Rheem MPi-325 Series II Heat Pump

THINKING OF INSTALLING A HEAT PUMP?

With over 80 years of manufacturing experience, Rheem is the steady, hot and strong choice. Get in contact with your plumber or local Rheem Solar Specialist to learn more.

Disclaimers:

1. Energy savings are based on Australian Government approved TRNSYS simulation modelling using a medium load in Zone 3 and apply when replacing a similar sized storage electric water heater. Any savings will vary depending upon your location, type of water heater being replaced, hot water consumption and fuel tariff. Any savings will vary depending upon your location, type of water heater being replaced, hot water consumption and fuel tariff.
2. The specified temperature range is the operational range of the Heat Pump. The electric element activates when the ambient air temperature is outside this range and heating of the water is required.
3. The average Coefficient of Performance (COP) value as mentioned was measured under test conditions with an ambient air temperature of 19˚C/15˚C (Dry Bulb/Wet Bulb) over the entire heat-up process, heating of the water from cold to 60˚C during water heater operation and a power supply of 240 V~ 50 Hz. The Heat Pump average heating capacity in Watts and its water heating capacity in Litres / hour were calculated from the results of this test. The heat pump water heater performance tests were conducted under laboratory conditions. Note that the actual COP of the product at any given time will be impacted by several factors, including the ambient and cold-water inlet temperatures at the place of installation and time of day/season of operation.