Rheem 55131007/05
Price $4,824
Type Integral
Overall score
37%
Average user rating3 out of 5 (2 reviews)

Ratings


Overall score
37%
Relative performance at 15° C 220
Relative performance at 7° C 100
Relative performance at 2° C 110

Need to know


Good points

Good energy efficiency at our highest test temperature. Supplied with a back-up electric element which cut-in at lower ambient temperatures (so you would always have hot water). Best suited to warmer northern locations. Suitable for connection to a ripple-controlled supply.

But

Not energy efficient at lower ambient temperatures.

Guide to the table

Our test was conducted by an independent laboratory in New Zealand. Price is based on a survey in March 2009 and doesn't include installation costs.

Recommended tick
Recommended tick

 

 

 Relative performance

  • Gives each heat pump water heater's energy performance relative to that of a standard electric hot-water cylinder, at each of the three "ambient" test temperatures.  

 
Type
 

Integral
Integral models have the heat pump and the water tank combined into a single unit. The heat pump sits on the top of the tank and the whole unit is installed outdoors, preferably near the house's bathroom.

When you buy an integral model you replace your existing cylinder. (This also has the advantage of freeing up your hot-water-cupboard space in the house.)

Split
Split models use an outdoor heat pump unit, which looks similar to a space-heating heat pump. A small pump then circulates water between the outdoor heat-pump unit and the hot-water cylinder. There are limits on the length of the piping from the heat pump to the water cylinder, but the shorter distance the better.

Split models can use your existing hot-water cylinder, although you might wish to replace it if it's an older model.