Case Studies

Award Winning Architect chooses Rheem Premier Solar. O’Sullivan Family Home, Mangere Bridge, Auckland

In the quiet Auckland Suburb of Mangere Bridge sits a home that was one of the most important projects for Architect Michael O’Sullivan, his own. With a focus on sustainability, Michael thoughtfully designed the home to be comfortable yet stunning but also relatively inexpensive, he then went on to completely build the home himself. All the while the family lived in what can only be described as a shed in the back yard (and in the absolute theme of sustainability that box was on sold and now sits as part of another family’s home on Waiheke Island)

O’Sullivan Family Home, Mangere Bridge, Auckland

Michael went about the design using imagination mixed with common sense and sustainability as a guiding principle. For these reasons the home had to be as energy conscious as possible including intelligent selection and use of building products and management & recycling of waste material with, of course, a focus on future energy usage.

Why Rheem Premier Solar Water Heating?

Solar hot water was always on the radar with panels sitting on the north facing roof, but it had to be simple and effective given that one of Michael’s neighbours was installing all the plumbing and the solar hot water system. This particular neighbour was a semi-retired plumber and was keen to install a system that was easy to understand and commission.

Michael went with a Rheem Premier Solar system because of its clean looks and the leading edge closed-loop drain back function as well as the fact that Rheem has an extensive service network should he have any questions in the future. Michael’s plumber had no issues with understanding how this system went together and as the pump and controller are factory set and are integrated into the cylinder design, it was all too easy.

Michael went for a 2 panel model with electric boost by way of a mid mounted immersion element which was all installed back in 2008 and has been supplying his family, including wife Melissa, children Remana, Seamus, Finbar and Mary, with plenty of hot water with no dramas at all. Should the water use increase over the years or extentions be carried out and the winter electric boosting becomes insufficient, there are plenty of options to up spec the design with gas boosting, or a solar fed smaller cylinder.

Model Specifications

A591270/2T – 270 litre drain back cylinder, pump, controller, 2 high performance collectors and full mounting kit for a roof of the correct pitch and orientation*

* For full specifications download the Rheem Premier Solar Fact Sheet here

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