Rheem M8350ti Installation Instructions - Page 6

Introduction Installation Considerations WARNING: This pool/spa heat pump pool heater is an electromechanical machine that incorporates a pressurized refrigerant gas in a sealed system. ONLY trained and qualified service personnel are authorized to install or service this equipment. Without proper training and knowledge of such equipment, any attempt to install or service the unit could result in serious injury or even death. This manual contains important information on the use, maintenance and troubleshooting of your new heat pump pool heater. This unit must be properly installed, maintained and operated for optimal performance. WARNING: Do not install the unit within 3 ft of fossil fuel burning heaters. Air intake along the sides of this heat pump pool heater could disturb the combustion process of the unit, and could cause damage or personal injury. • Mount the unit on a level, sturdy base, preferably a concrete slab or blocks. The size of the base should be at least 3 ft by 3 ft. • You must install the 4 black rubber sound isolation pads (each 2 inches square) that ship with the unit. The pads are shipped in a bag with the unions, gaskets and the I&O manual. Install pads under the 4 corners of the unit to reduce vibration and sound transmission to the base. This heat pump pool heater is an extremely efficient, economical machine designed specifically for swimming pool heating. It is similar in design and operation to a typical residential air conditioning system. The unit employs a hermetic motor/compressor operating in a refrigeration cycle to extract heat from ambient air and deliver it to the circulating pool water. As with all heat pump pool heaters, compared to other types of heaters such as gas or oil-fired, this heat pump pool heater has lower heating capacity on a BTUH/hr basis. As a result, it will be required to operate longer to accomplish the desired results. It may, at certain times, operate as much as 24 hours per day. However, this should not be of concern to the owner, because the unit is designed to operate continuously. Even though it may operate continuously for many hours, it will still heat the pool with greater economy than other types of fossil fuel heaters. Place a cover or blanket over the pool at night and other non-use periods. This will keep evaporation, the cause of main heat loss, to a minimum, and will greatly reduce pool heating costs. During warmer weather, the cover may be required only at night. CAUTION: The unit's supporting base must be high enough to keep it completely free of standing water at all times. Situate the heat pump pool heater carefully to minimize installation costs while providing maximum efficiency of operation, and to allow adequate service access, as follows: • For unrestricted air intake and service access, position each side of the unit at least 1 ft (30 cm) from walls, pipes and other obstructions. WARNING: This unit is designed for outdoor installation; DO NOT install it in an enclosed area such as a shed or garage. • Recirculation of cold discharge air back into the evaporator coil will greatly reduce the unit's heating capacity and efficiency. • This unit features an 'up-flow' discharge for quiet operation. Air is pulled up through the evaporator coil and discharged through the top grill. Allow at least 5 ft (1.5 m) clearance above the unit for unrestricted air discharge. DO NOT install the unit under a porch or deck. Refer to Fig. 1. • To minimize water piping, locate the unit as close as possible to the existing pool pump and filter. 6