FAQs

Rheem Stellar® Stainless Steel water heaters are not recommended for installation in some areas.
To find out if Stellar Stainless Steel is suitable for your home download this Stainless Steel Suitability Map or contact us

All storage Rheem water heaters have the Rheem Mains Pressure Advantage built in. This means you will always have a water heater designed to provide a steady, hot and strong flow of water at mains pressure to more than one tap at the same time.
Not all types of water heaters can offer this advantage because of the way they work. For example 'coil' and 'instantaneous' water heaters cannot deliver a flow of mains pressure hot water because their water flow is restricted to allow an increase in water temperature as the water passes through the water heater.
Rheem Mains Pressure water heaters heat water and store it so that it's ready for you as soon as you need it. This ensures full pressure to showers, washing machines, dishwashers, baths and basins - all at the same time.
It's important to consider this because everyone loves lots of hot water and no one likes their shower turning to a trickle when another tap is turned on!
So, when you want a reliable supply of hot water delivered at full mains pressure to more than one tap at the same time... Install a Rheem!

Indoor gas water heaters are available but they require an available gas supply and fluing through an external wall. Most solar ground based tanks can be placed indoors, but if it’s gas boosted, the booster will need to be installed outside. A heat pump can’t be installed indoors and must be installed outside.

A Heat Pump might be right for you. Heat pumps are like solar without collectors on the roof. They use refrigerant vapour compression technology to extract and intensify the warmth in the air around us. They then use that warmth to produce hot water. Have a look at the Rheem Heat Pump range to find the one that’s right for you.

The answer is different for different situations. It depends on your roof space, energy tariffs and access to natural gas.
Does your home have natural gas available? If so, gas boosted solar, 5 Star gas storage or continuous flow may suit. If not, then perhaps an electric boosted solar heater or a Heat Pump might be the answer.
Do you have a low off-peak electricity tariff? If so, electric water heating on an off-peak tariff may have the lowest running cost.
Take a look at our running cost calculator or ask your plumber or energy provider for more information.

It depends on the size of your home and how you tend to use hot water. Gas water heaters come in two types:
Continuous Flow – compact and wall-mounted, this type heats water as you use it, delivering hot water that ‘never runs out’
Gas Storage – this type heats the water and stores it ready for use, supplying it at mains pressure, so you can run several taps or showers at once without loss of pressure.

Maybe. If you have gas piping in your street, your home can be connected to natural gas. Your local energy provider can advise if gas is available, and arrange connection. If gas is not available, you can install a propane (also known as LPG) gas water heater, which can be run from refillable gas bottles. Either way, a plumber can advise what will be involved.

Maybe. It will depend on the size of your existing gas pipe, and the type of gas water heater you want to install. Most gas storage water heaters can be fitted to the gas pipe that already exists in many houses, but a continuous-flow water heater requires a larger diameter pipe to be installed from the gas meter. A plumber can check your existing set up, advise you on what’s needed, and then give you a quote to install it.

Yes. All Rheem solar water heaters come with either a gas or electric boost function, so you can get hot water even when it’s cloudy.
Different systems are suited for different climate zones. Your installer can advise on what is right for your location.
A Heat Pump is another option that’s best suited for some climates and will work without the sun. We call it ‘solar without the panels’. Heat Pumps can attract solar rebates and incentives.

The impact on your electricity bill will depend on the tariffs you pay and the type of water heater being replaced.
The majority of homeowners see the greatest savings on hot water bills when replacing an electric water heater on a continuous tariff.
Rheem Heat Pump water heaters are recommended for connection to either 24 hour continuous tariff or extended off-peak, minimum 16 hours per day.
Heat Pump water heaters can reduce the energy you use and reduce greenhouse emissions by up to 65%* depending on where you live, according to Australian Government approved modelling.
* reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 65% is for zone 3 – see rebates calculator for more information.

How much you save depends on:
your existing system – you’ll save more if you replace an electric water heater
how much water you use
your current energy tariffs
how your new solar system is installed – for example the direction and angle of the solar collectors.
The majority of homeowners see the greatest savings on hot water bills when replacing an electric water heater on a continuous tariff.
It’s also useful to know that a solar water heater will reduce greenhouse emissions by up to 65%* depending on where you live, according to Australian Government approved modelling.
Talk to your plumber or solar installer for more information. Your energy provider may also be able to assist with specific information on tariffs applying to your home or area.
* reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 65% is for zone 3 – see rebates calculator for more information.

If you replace an electric water heater with a solar model or a Heat Pump, you are probably eligible for government rebates and incentives.
You may also be eligible if you install a gas water heater as a replacement for an electric model as well.
Some of these rebates have end dates.
Have a look at our Solar rebates page for details on what incentives and rebates are available for our products and contact the relevant government departments more information of their specific incentive schemes.
You may need to claim rebates within a certain period of time after your installation – make sure you lodge your claim within this time period.

A Heat Pump doesn’t need solar collectors mounted on the roof. It uses technology to extract and intensify the warmth that is naturally in the air around us then uses that warmth to produce hot water.
Traditional solar water heaters use the warmth from the sun to heat the water.
Both solar heaters and Heat Pumps attract government incentives.
For a more scientific answer, look at How does a Heat Pump work?

Definitely. Heat Pumps are often the simplest replacement for an electric water heater.
They have a storage tank much like an electric water heater. They use the same plumbing and electrical connections as electric water heaters.
They can be quickly installed by a licensed plumber. And they consume about a third of the electricity than a traditional electric water heater.
The one thing to be aware of is that the water in the tank may take a bit longer to heat, but a Rheem Heat Pump comes with an electric boost for those times when you use a lot of hot water, or when the weather gets really cold.
Talk to your plumber or installer about the storage capacity to make sure you have enough hot water when you need it.

Not long at all, particularly if the installation is well planned. If a ground level storage tank is installed first, you won’t be out of hot water for long, as the tank can operate using its gas booster until the collectors are installed. An experienced installer will organise the necessary trades (a licensed plumber and electrician) so you are quickly enjoying hot water from your new solar hot water system.
A Heat Pump is also a quick replacement for an electric water heater. We call it ‘solar without the panels’. Heat Pumps can attract solar rebates and incentives.
To find out more, go to Heat Pumps or Solar rebates.

The best homes for solar meet the following requirements:
A good-sized roof – most houses will use 2 collectors which are each around 2m tall x 1 m wide. That means you need at least 2m x 2m, plus some clearance space on your roof. You’ll also need some ground space for the ground-mounted hot water storage tank. For a roof-mounted tank, you’ll need even more roof space .
A north-facing roof area – it’s best if the collectors can be mounted facing north in order to capture the most sunlight. If you’re not sure, use a compass or go to Google Earth to check if you’ve got a north-facing roof area.
An area free from shade – the roof where the solar collectors are fitted needs to get plenty of sunlight – so watch out for shade from trees or surrounding buildings.
Climate can also be a factor when choosing a solar heater. Extreme weather areas that get frost or very high heat will need a product designed to suit the climate.
Remember, a plumber or solar installer can help you make sure you have the right set-up.
If your house doesn’t suit solar, a Heat Pump is a great alternative. We call it ‘solar without the panels’.
Heat Pumps can attract solar rebates and incentives.
To find out more, go to Heat Pumps or Solar rebates.