30.5 Rheem and Aquamax Electric Storage Reviewed
Based on more than 30 years experience installing and repairing hot water systems in the Canberra region and your frequently asked questions, we are confident that the range of Aquamax electric storage and the Rheem electric storage range of hot water systems meets all of the requirements to be rated in the top 5 list of hot water systems you should install in the Canberra region.
The Aquamax and Rheem electric storage hot water heaters are ideal for cooler climates in suburban and rural settings, They are not affected by frost or low water pressure. There are no limits to where these hot water systems can be installed, indoors or outdoors, so long as you have the space. They are compatible with most solar PV systems, and when compared to an $11,000.00 Powerwall, they can be the cheapest solar battery you will ever buy.
We rated the installation of these two brands of hot water systems based on their range of models, value for money, longevity, serviceability, spare parts, after-sales service, efficiency, and long-term environmental impacts. The ACT Government’s zero emissions policy also contributed to our decision.
Price based on longevity 5 stars out of 5
From 25 to 400 litres and multiple element choices, the price of these systems is at the low end of the scale across their entire range. Their longevity is expected to be 20 or more years, with servicing required once every 5 years. This is double the life of most solar hot water systems and may be up to four times longer than most heat pump hot water systems.
Efficiency 1.5 stars out of 5
Typically, these systems, on average, will be around 95% efficient. This is less than a heat pump at 300% and a roof-mounted solar at 400% when both work without the booster. When the heat pump and solar hot water systems are boosted the electrical efficiency will be the same as the electric storage hot water systems.
Reliability 5 stars out of 5
The Rheem and Aquamax electric storage hot water systems are among Australia’s most reliable hot water systems and are very reliable in Canberra’s cold climates. Apart from the valves connected to them, there are no moving parts and no heat transfer fluids that need topping up. They are not affected by outside air temperatures.
Serviceability, spare parts and after-sales service 5 stars out of 5
Being made by Rheem, spare parts for these two systems are very easy to get and interchangeable. Every plumbing supply in Canberra keeps spare parts for the Aquamax and Rheem in stock. No complex systems require specialist skills like heat pump hot water systems. With more than 700 plumbers in Canberra and many of those plumbers having restricted electrical licences, most breakdowns can be repaired within a few hours of owners calling for service. Replacement hot water systems are easy to obtain in Canberra.
Benefits to the environment 3.5 stars out of 5
The simplicity of the Rheem and Aquamax electric storage water heater range means less embedded energy is required to manufacture them, and they do not require the mining and processing of rare earths. This, combined with the fact that they last so long when compared to heat pumps and most solar hot water systems, helps their environmental credentials.
They can easily be coupled to solar PV systems and hot water can be stored in them for many days without additional power input. These hot water systems are virtually big batteries that store electric energy in the form of heat with excellent round trip efficiencies if the hot water is used within one or two days of it being heated. With electrification, smart metering will also increase their benefits to the environment by limiting their heating cycles to periods that reduce the load on the electricity networks and promote renewable power generation and storage.
However, significant evidence suggests the electrification-only pathway will have detrimental environmental impacts within the next 20 years. These impacts will include significant battery waste, significant land clearing for mining and processing rare earths, and using precious water resources in arid locations to build new transmission lines and BESS. The alternative to electrification is to focus on transitioning our existing gas networks to green hydrogen.
Value for money 5 stars out of 5
Aquamax electric storage hot water system installations Rheem hot water system installations have been known to produce hot water for more than 20 years. The oldest Rheem hot water system we have seen is 46 years old. Given their low purchase cost, They rate highly in this category.
Running costs excluding repairs and maintenance 1-5 Stars out of 5 (average 3 stars)
Lowest score except when connected to solar PV, behind gas storage, gas continuous flow, heat pumps and solar hot water systems.
Compatibility with ACT Government’s zero-emissions policy. 1 -4 stars out of 5 (average 2.5 stars)
Households who cannot afford to install their own rooftop solar will pay a premium for the power used to heat hot water. For these households, we would give only 1 star for this category. For all other households in the short term, the next 10 to 15 years, they are compatible with the ACT Government’s climate change policy. Given they are more reliable, they heat hot water in winter significantly faster than heat pump hot water systems do, and their rate of recovery is not affected by weather and cold temperatures, we would give them 4 stars out of 5 for this category.
However, there is significant evidence that suggests the electrification-only pathway will have detrimental environmental impacts within the next 20 years. These impacts will include significant battery waste, significant land clearing for mining and processing of rare earths and the use of precious water resources in arid locations to build new transmission lines and BESS. The alternative to electrification only is to focus on transitioning our existing gas networks to green hydrogen.
Total score 30.5 stars out of 40 stars
What are Rheem and Aquamax range of electric storage hot water systems downsides?
There are not many downsides to the Rheem and Aquamax range of electric storage hot water systems apart from the space they require. In 2004 the outside diameter of all electric storage hot water systems increased to allow for better installation. The consequence for hot water replacements in Canberra apartments is that new systems will not fit in the same spaces of the hot water systems they are replacing.
FAQ Answered
What is the cheapest way to get hot water?
Before the ACT governments climate change policy was announced I would have answered, “gas hot water is the cheapest way to get hot water in Canberra.” This policy is forcing up the price of natural gas in Canberra. Some would try to argue that heat pumps and most solar hot water systems are the cheapest way to get hot water. But they are wrong.
This is because even though they use less power, their purchase price is high, some break down more frequently than gas and electric storage hot water systems and some heat pumps have a much shorter life in Canberra of around five to seven years. Right now the cheapest way to get hot water in Canberra is via a large capacity standard electric storage hot water system. If you have the money, and don’t have a BESS it can be connected to a solar PV system with the power supply controlled by a time clock.
Can you get instant hot water with electricity?
Instantaneous electric hot water systems , better known as continuous flow hot water systems, are small hot water systems that heat water as it passes through them. They do not store any hot water. They are suitable to apartments with limited space and locations with infrequent hot water usage.
They cannot provide high volumes of hot water in short periods and typically require a 415 volt 3 phase power supply. Storage hot water systems only require a 240 volt single phase power supply common to most canberra homes. When an instant hot water system is installed in the same location as an electric storage hot water system the latter is more likely to provide hot water faster than the instant electric hot water systems will.
Is gas being phased out in Australia?
Fossil fuel gas is being phased out in Australia. Gas network operators are working towards a 100% green gas network. This will occur through gradual blending of hydrogen into the gas networks over the next few decades. Gas users will eventually need to change or alter their existing appliances. Gas appliance manufactures are currently developing appliances that work safely and efficiently with different blends of hydrogen and natural gas. Therefore, appliance owners will require one upgrade to make the transition.
It is expected that the cost of renewable hydrogen will be very low within the next two decades making it more affordable than electricity. Given the existing gas networks can store the same amount of green energy as 1.8billion tesla Powerwalls the transition to green gas in our networks will have fewer detrimental impacts on our environment than full electrification.
If we have been able to help you make a choice we can also provide you with a competitive quote for all type of hot water system installations including a Rheem or Aquamax electric storage hot water system.
Contact us now 0448844911
Thank you for reading our Canberra hot water system review, The top 5 HWS for Canberra’s climate. Aquamax and Rheem electric storage hot water systems ideal for suburban & rural installations page