Note: Solar Choice is not associated with iStore or any other heat pump and has no financial or other incentives to promote any product brand over another.
$$ Price: The iStore comes with a budget friendly price under $3,000. One of the higher performing, low cost hot water heat pumps on the market.
Efficiency: The iStore datasheet discloses a cofficient of performance (COP) of 4.61 at 20°C however with a low outlet temperature of 45°C. For comparison purposes solar choice estimates COP ranges with a 20°C ambient water temp, inlet water at 15°C and target temperature output of 60°C (which is where most consumers set their tank temperature). Thus, we estimate iStore’s COP to be 3.5 to 4 scoring 2 points.
Warranty: iStore excel with their comprehensive 5 year warranty for parts and labour on the tank, refrigeration and controller. Although some parts are excluded with a 1-year warranty we still score this with 4 points.
Customer Reviews: iStore have excellent customer reviews with 112 reviews on third party sites with an average score of 4.9. We apply 5 points in this category.
Functionality: The iStore heat pumps have a back up heating element and an anode to improve tank longevity earning 2 points in the functionality category.
Uncover essential details in the comprehensive guide below and find out what you need to know before you buy.
Ultimate Guide to iStore Heat Pumps | Independent Review by Solar Choice
iStore is an Australian owned business who have been developing and wholesaling heat pump hot water systems. The company is an owned subsidiary of Solargain who are a national solar and hot water installation company.
The company has been designing and importing heat pump hot water systems to Australia under a third party manufacturing agreement for around 10 years, but iStore Heat Pump was officially registered as a business name of Solargain Pty Ltd in 2019.
The company has recently expanded into solar inverters and solar battery solutions, which will be manufactured by Huawei. They are also expected to add EV Chargers to their range later this year.
iStore’s headquarters are listed on google as 242 Beringarra Ave, Malaga WA 6090 although they operate nationally with roaming sales reps in each state.
iStore Model Range in Australia
There are 2 heat pump hot water systems offered by iStore in Australia. The main difference between the two is the capacity of the hot water tank.
iStore 180L
The 180 litre option is typically suitable 2-3 person households, based on an assumed usage of around 50 litres of hot water per person per day.
The product is an ‘all-in-one’ system meaning that the compressor sits above the hot water tank in a tall cylindrical design. The iStore 180L is 1955mm tall and has a diameter of 540mm.
The product datasheet suggests that the compressor will use 0.5kW when active and that a typical cycle requires 3-4 hours. This means the overall energy usage per day is expected to be around 1.5kWh to 2kWh.
The overall product weighs 93kg and is recommended to be installed on a concrete slab. Given the size and weight, consideration should be given to how the product will be transported to the install location.
iStore 270L
The larger 270 litre option is best suited to 3-6 person households under an assumption of approximately 50 litres of hot water usage per person per day. Very large households, or multi dwelling properties servicing from a single tank, may need to consider a commercial hot water heat pump system.
This solution has the same height of 1955mm as the 180L unit, however has a slightly larger diameter of 640mm.
With the larger tank, iStore advise that the compressor will use twice as much energy (1kW) when in use. With the same cycle time this means the expected energy usage may be 3kWh to 4kWh with this unit. Along with the higher running costs, the upfront cost of the 270L model is around $300 more than the 180L model.
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iStore Heat Pumps – Key Features
The are some key features of iStores heat pump hot water products that can be advantageous to homeowners.
Back Up Heating Element
Along with the air to heat compressor technology, the iStore heat pumps also come with a traditional heating element. In the various operating modes available with the iStore solution the element can be used to accelerate the water heating process.
LCD Touch Screen
The iStore can be configured through a LCD touch screen on the system. This can be used to set timers and alternate through the various operation modes to ensure you minimising the energy costs and optimising the use of the product. We recommend you hang on to the user manual and your installers phone number as altering the settings can be a bit tricky.
How much do iStore Hot Water Heat Pumps Cost?
The below table outlines the approximate retail cost of the iStore hot water heat pump solutions excluding shipping, installation and any rebates that might be available. Note that your installer may be able to access better pricing, particularly if they are installing at higher volumes.
The warranty offer is one area where iStore have attempted to provide a point of difference against alternative models. iStore offer a ‘5-year comprehensive warranty’ on their products.
This includes a 5 year parts and labour warranty on:
The water tank
Refrigeration via the compressor technology
Electrical controller and sensor leads
However, the warranty documents stipulates that there is only a 1-year parts and labour warranty on
Sacrificial anode
PTR valve
Air filters
Other consumable items including thermostat and heating element
The items that miss out on the 5-year warranty are typically lower value and normally excluded from the longer warranty periods with other hot water systems.
The labour is only included in the warranty if you are within 30km of the closest iStore branch or Authorised Distributor, otherwise you will need to pay additional freight and travel costs.
The iStore warranty document does not mention the entity that provides it, so we assume that the warranty provider is Solargain PV Pty Ltd and not the original manufacturer of the products.
They do have a help line customers can call on 1300 515 640
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Pros and Cons of iStore Heat Pump Hot Water Systems
Pros
Comprehensive warranty supported by local Australian staff
Built in LCD screen to conveniently configure settings
Back up traditional heating element
Cons
Units rated towards the noisier end of the spectrum with 270L rated at 48mdbA
Largest option is 270 litres which is not suitable for large domestic use-cases with more than 6 people
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does an iStore heat pump cost?
Looking for the cost of iStore Hot Water Heat Pumps? The iStore 180L model typically retails around $2,400, while the 270L version is about $2,700, not including installation or shipping fees. Keep in mind, prices can vary depending on your location and the installer’s pricing.
What models of heat pump hot water systems does iStore offer?
iStore in Australia offers the 180L model, perfect for 2-3 person households, and the 270L model, suited for families of 3-6 or more, highlighting their focus on accommodating various household sizes with different hot water needs.
Where is iStore manufactured?
Wondering where iStore products are made? iStore’s batteries and inverters are manufactured in China through an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) arrangement.
Is the iStore 180L or 270L better?
Choosing between the iStore 180L and 270L hot water heat pumps boils down to size. Both models use the same efficient heating technology, with the 180L suitable for smaller homes and the 270L designed for larger households. The main consideration is your family’s hot water needs, as performance-wise, both units are equally efficient.
Jeff has consulted on over 20MW of commercial solar projects, ranging from SMEs to ASX top 100 companies. Jeff has also provided independent advice to 100s of residential solar, battery and EV charging customers across every state in Australia. He holds an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management and is an expert in business strategy and financial analysis.
Well designed and good construction- It is working well and it looks good
16th September 2024
Steve
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5.00
The Installation was fine, and the iStore 270L seems to be delivering the savings as advertised... except...
At the same time as the Heat Pump was installed we had Solar Panels fitted, along with a Fronius Inverter. The Fronius Inverter now allows me to get a very good idea of how/when electricity is being used.
Checking on the Heat Pump has shown me that when we are here all the time the Heat Pump runs every day - it's winter, so it runs for about 2+ hours. Fair enough. But when we are not here (ie away on holiday or similar), it still runs every other day, and for a not much shorter period.
I am really surprised that when NO hot water is used, that it still runs every other day. ie Heat loss through tank insulation causes running every other day.
I've asked iStore about tank insulation, but never got a reply.
27th August 2024
Liam
VIC - 3076
5.00
So far it’s great! A big unit but as it’s a tank and compressor combined, I think that’s expected. It’s working well and we’ve now got plenty of hot water.
6th August 2024
Michael
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5.00
We installed the iStore 270L with Solargain 6 months ago. Has not skipped a beat. It's easy to change settings so that it's heating when we want it to, for us during the day when solar powers it for free. It runs for about an 45 minutes each day to cover 2 showers a day for me and my partner. Zero suggestion it wouldn't keep if we massively increased hot water consumption with a baby on the way.
It does make some noise, as all heat pump systems do, but when I'm in the room next to it, the split system heater inside makes more noise.
3rd August 2024
Suresh
VIC - 3029
5.00
Its working well. Need to check the gas bill from now on.
9th May 2024
Karen
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5.00
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