Rheem AmbiPower 280e (A551E280R5) - NZ
AS/NZS 4234 energy savings (AU equivalent)
82%
vs the standard's reference electric storage water heater, VEU Zone 4, based on the AU-registered performance of the Rheem 280L (551E280) (same AmbiPower 280e product line as the AU-registered 551E280; NZ SKU carries an A-prefix/R5-suffix regional code) — not tested against AS/NZS 4234 as a NZ product itself.
Specifications
| Type | Integral all-in-one |
| Refrigerant | R290 |
| Tank volume | 280 L |
| COP | 5.2 (at 19 degrees C ambient, tested to AS/NZS 5125) |
| Operating ambient | -6 to 43 °C |
| Tank height | 1832 mm |
| Tank diameter | 696 mm |
| Tank weight (empty) | 135 kg |
| Electric backup | 2.4 kW |
| Warranty | Cylinder 7, sealed system and cylinder labour 3 (domestic) |
Certified to
Specs from: Rheem New Zealand product page (rheem.co.nz, A551E280R5). Official product page →
Sold in New Zealand
NZ has no equivalent to the Australian STC/VEEC/ESC certificate schemes, so no dollar rebate applies to this model. Its confirmed AU-market equivalent is registered and shown above.
What customers say
Sourced from EnergyAE's HPWH customer-sentiment dataset (public review sites and forums). A small, self-selected sample — not a representative survey.
The Rheem AmbiPower 280e (A551E280R5) is an all-in-one heat pump water heater with a 280 L enamel-lined tank and a low-GWP R290 refrigerant circuit, using wrap-around microchannel heating technology. It is rated to operate down to -6 degrees C ambient (up to 43 degrees C), with a declared COP of 5.2 at 19 degrees C tested to AS/NZS 5125. The unit measures 696 mm wide, 725 mm deep and 1832 mm tall, and weighs approximately 135 kg empty.
A 2.4 kW electric backup element is fitted. This is the same AmbiPower 280e product line registered in Australia under the code 551E280 - the New Zealand SKU carries an A-prefix/R5-suffix regional code, and the -6 to 43 degree C ambient range and COP 5.2 figures match exactly.
Rheem NZ warrants the cylinder for 7 years, with the sealed system and cylinder labour covered for 3 years on domestic installations.
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