Rheem Solar Collectors S200

Absolute rubbish. Do not buy – I have had this Rheem Solar hot water system for about 4 years now. The temperature in Western Sydney has gone down to around zero degrees overnight and one of the panels has started leaking again. This will be the third time that I have had to get a panel replaced. The panels are supposed to be able to cope with the low temperatures but obviously can't. If you live in a cool climate area do not purchase this solar system. Show details

Rheem Solar Panels keep cracking – Our home was built 10 years ago and thus fare we have had to replace solar panels every two years. Last night another shattered ( first good frost of the season). When we initially chose Rheem, we were told that the product was suitable for our area ( Southern Riverina NSW). Sadly this has not been the case. The respinse from Rheem has been mixed: ranging from indifference, abuse and cooperation. Do not buy Rheem  Show details

Poor Product, even poorer customer service resolution – Bought an existing home with the already installed rheem solar collector panels. The Plastic unions blew the first cold night we had, i recalled noticing what i thought was "spare ones" in a cupboard but upon inspection found them to be a tidy collection of blown unions and caps. After much research i found this to be a VERY common fault so… Read more

contacted rheem for help and just got an endless email runaround and offers to come and fix the collector at my own expense ...... Install a rheem.... at your peril.

A Solid unit- has accepted the harsh environment – As the title notes, we are based in an arid/ desert environment that is central Australia. After 8 yrs I'm considering getting it serviced. System consists of the storage unit, collector (Solar panel) and Instant. Have emailed and phoned service agents, hope communication is as good as the unit itself.  Show reply

Poor quality – End caps rupture every year since 2006 somtimes twice per year and always in winter today the actual solar panel on the roof also ruptured very poor product. In my opinion don't bother buying reem I find it interesting that they have solar water heaters in countries that have temperatures below 0 .why is it we have a little frost and bingo end caps fail.

Poor service – Spot on, Debbie! Four years old and the joint started to leak on our Rheem Australis! They sent a plumber who eventually stopped the leak for only a few weeks. No warranty of course; all at our expense! Now it's leaking badly and I have no confidence in dealing with Rheem again. I could tighten the joint myself but the nut is hard to access with a… Read more

spanner. The plumber had the same problem and rough-handled the unit to try to repair the joint. An obvious design fault. It seems the tank and absorber panels move out of position to one another or are installed poorly and eventually the joints fail. We feel cheated and disgusted with the situation.

End Plug Connectors failed x2 – Just had my second 'fountain' on my roof when the non brass 'End Connector' failed. It was shooting water up about 3-4m into the air an on my neighbour. Am replacing with brass as the Rheem mob installed the roof collector panels with plastic or composite fittings which are obviously inferior. Cost feb 2014 $21 each + installation. … Read more

Twice in 18 mths. I was OS 1st time so no idea what they used but I just bought 2 new brass ones and will fit now. A bit lane that Rheem don't use the good gear 1st time around. Poor quality does not reflect well on their brand.

Poor quality end plugs.

Not happy with panel – We purchased a Mod 511340 slim line system in 2009 and have had two panels fail in that time (Two panel collector).Quoted $1340 to repair system but also require frost valve to be added to system but no garenties that this will be succesful in the future (not covered by warrentie).Solar pump requires external power back up in case of power outage… Read more

to allow pump to circulate water through system.We live in what thay call zone 4.I am of the view the system should not be sold in frost prone areas.Do your home work and get the system that is made for your area.After five months of contacting Rheem and a stern Email was told not covered by warranty due to frost damage.Discuse system with someone who knows there product. Good when it worked Poor panel manufacture

Terrible – look around and buy from another supplier this product is designed to fail and cost you time and money oh an of course they are happy to send out a tech and fix it for about $300 looks good i was sold the system with a 5 year warantee ! after the joints between the panels failed at 4 years i was told - oh no parts only have a 12 month… Read more

warantee !

when Rheem why dont you just be honest and tell customers that your stuff only has a 12 month warantee rather than a 5 year warantee because it does not exist (every part of the system at the end of the day is only a part number)

i would not buy anything again from you lot -

besides the busted joiners look as though they are only rubber that has perished from the sun and heat - why design something that is weak and going to fail like that unless you planned to make money out of customers -

just rip of customers - dont worry about quality

Poor – The money you save in electricity you will spend in getting the product fixed. The plastic joins on the collectors cannot hold up to the Australian climate causing them to crack and you end up with a water fountain on your roof. Cheaper hot water Plastic joints and ends constantly need to be replaced. Common fault and to replace the plastic to Brass is $500, so what you save in electricity you spend else where.

Design flaw – Panel connectors originally came with Plastic connectors which (in my case)started breaking and leaking in 6 years. When they break they gush water quite alarmingly. If you are on holidays - please tell your neighbours how to shut down your water. How to stop the Water Remove the cold water feeder (from your ground tank) and fit a temporary… Read more

stop plug - so you can continue using boosted hot water until you get your panels fixed - which could take weeks.

I have now started replacing all the connectors. They need 4 silicon o'rings each. The End Plugs need 2 o'rings each. An after market brass kit version (twice the price) is also now available. They are harder to install (obviously an after thought).

If it wasn't for the government rebates/RECS - it would not be worth it. Service costs are very steep. Free hot water - feel good factor Panel connectors fail spectacularly - water fountain on your roof