250L CO2 Split

Overview

Thermann is the value-oriented brand in the Rheem Group portfolio, sharing manufacturing relationships and the Rheem service network while pricing below the Rheem brand itself. The 250L CO2 split is Thermann’s entry into the CO2 heat pump category - using a Japanese-sourced compressor with an Australian-made tank, delivering COP 5.08 at 37dB for $5,223.

The headline comparison is with the Sanden Eco Plus 250L ($5,800): Thermann costs $577 less, delivers a slightly higher stated COP (5.08 vs 5.0), and is 1dB quieter. The counterweight is a 2024 ACCC safety recall that Sanden and Reclaim do not share.

2024 ACCC Safety Recall: what happened

The Thermann X Split heat pump (all CO2 split models) was subject to ACCC Product Safety Recall PRA 2024/20323. The hazard was electric shock risk if the plastic cover was removed to access the controller board on the outdoor unit. The recall was initiated by Thermann’s Australian distributor, who issued a repair/replacement program for affected units.

Current status: The recall has been addressed. Units sold from the recall resolution date onward incorporate the design fix. If you are purchasing new stock, ask the retailer to confirm the unit is post-recall specification.

Why it matters for buyers: A recall event - even a resolved one - is a relevant data point when comparing brands at similar price points. Sanden has 45+ years of Australian market presence with no comparable recall. Reclaim, as an Australian manufacturer, has also avoided recall events. If brand reliability track record is weighted heavily in your decision, that record favours Sanden or Reclaim over Thermann at the CO2 price point.

COP 5.08 and operating range

COP 5.08 is slightly above the 5.0 stated by Sanden - effectively equivalent within measurement variation, but technically Thermann’s stated figure is marginally higher. The operating range is -6°C to 45°C.

This is meaningfully different from the -25°C figure that appears in some sources (including some product databases). Thermann’s confirmed minimum operating temperature is -6°C, which is adequate for most Australian climates including coastal ACT and most of Victoria. It is not rated for alpine Victoria, alpine NSW, or Tasmanian highlands where winter temperatures can reach -10°C to -15°C - for those applications, Sanden or Reclaim at -10°C are required.

For a household of 3–4 people at standard Australian conditions:

• Annual electricity consumption: approximately 700–900kWh
• Installed cost estimate: $5,223 + $1,400–$1,900 installation = $6,600–$7,100 all-in

2-year labour warranty: the gap

Thermann’s warranty structure on the CO2 split:

• Tank: 10 years
• Heat pump unit: 6 years
• Parts + labour: 2 years

The 2-year labour warranty means that after year 2, any service call under the heat pump or tank warranty requires you to pay for the technician’s time even if the faulty part itself is covered. At $100–$200/hr for a qualified refrigerant technician, this adds meaningful cost to warranty claims in years 3–6.

Sanden and Reclaim’s compressor warranties include both parts and labour for a longer period. This structural difference partially offsets the $577 purchase price advantage of the Thermann.

Thermann vs Sanden: honest assessment

Sanden’s stainless steel tank carries a 15-year pro-rata warranty (not just 10 years as commonly cited); the 10-year figure is for the vitreous enamel option. Thermann’s tank warranty is 10 years without differentiation. Sanden’s compressor warranty includes labour; Thermann’s covers parts only for years 3–6.

For buyers who are comfortable with Thermann’s recall history and labour warranty structure, the $577 saving is real and relevant. For buyers prioritising warranty depth and track record, Sanden justifies the premium.

Who should buy the Thermann 250L CO2

Best for:

• 3–4 person households wanting CO2 technology at the lowest available price
• Buyers who have reviewed the ACCC recall context and are comfortable with post-recall units
• Mild-to-moderate climate locations where -6°C minimum operating temp is adequate
• Buyers who want Rheem Group’s broad service network behind the product

Skip if:

• Alpine climates require -10°C+ operation - choose Sanden or Reclaim
• The 2024 recall affects your confidence - Sanden or Reclaim offer equivalent CO2 with no recall history
• Labour warranty depth matters - Sanden’s compressor warranty includes labour throughout
• Budget is the primary driver - an R290 all-in-one achieves COP 5.0+ for $3,000–$3,500 installed