Complete iStore Hot Water Systems Review: Everything You Need To Know

Solar Hot Water Systems in Australia

As a solar energy specialist in Australia, iStore offers an extensive range of reliable, efficient and affordable solar power products and custom solutions, catering to residential and commercial needs. 

iStore provides solar PV inverters, batteries, heat pumps and titanium pool heaters required for complete solar-powered hot water systems for Australian homes and businesses. 

If you’re looking to leverage the sun to save on your energy consumption and support the environment, iStore is likely to have a product for your needs. 

This complete iStore hot water review discusses the company’s background, its core product range, what to expect from its customer service, warranty, and any other benefits customers can get by choosing iStore.

About iStore: Company Background

Founded and located in Perth, Australia, iStore has been serving every corner of Australia for the last ten years. Over this past decade, they have emerged as the largest provider of solar hot water systems and solar inverters. 

The technical engineers at iStore have experience and knowledge of solar hot water solutions in the development of their solar product line, as the company previously provided hot water product installation services before its inception.

The company aims to be a prominent player in the solar hot water industry. The company innovates in solar hot water and heat pump technology, equipping its clients with dependable, premium, and energy-efficient heating solutions.

Additionally, iStore has collaborated with local suppliers and plumbers, ensuring a consistent supply and servicing of solar products, including hot water systems, inverters and storage solutions.

iStore Sustainability Values

iStore is committed to environmental sustainability and ensures to make a positive impact on the planet. The company believes that renewable energy is the future, which is why its products help customers reduce their reliance on fossil fuels while creating efficient water heating solutions for the Australian climate. 

iStore is a member of Refrigerant Reclaim Australia and Ozone Depleting Substances and Synthetic Greenhouse Gases Australia. Below are some examples of how iStore is helping Australian households to increase their energy savings while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.

• Their products, like solar heat pumps, solar inverters, and solar batteries, use clean energy (sunlight and air) to operate.
• The company is also a member of the Australian Solar Council and Clean Energy Council. These councils work toward greener solutions. 
• Using their solar water products, you can drop your energy bills by 27%. To give you the perspective: installing their products will save up to $1000 on yearly billing.
• iStore is more focused towards sustainable product development. Their product packaging meets the Australian Packaging Covenant Sustainability Frameworks.
• Their products will reduce heating consumption by 2/3rd compared to electric and gas storage systems (up to 4 tonnes).

iStore Australia Product Types

iStore provides a wide and flexible range of products tailored to your requirements. Here are the types of products they offer to their customers: 

Solar Inverters

Solar hybrid smart inverters by iStore use cutting-edge technology and remove the requirement of a transformer. It converts DC electricity produced by solar panels into AC electricity with maximum efficiency. It has the ability to store excess power in the battery so that you can use it conveniently.

These inverters will automatically manage the flow of electricity between the solar panels, batteries, and your home or business. Their inverters come with MPPT tracker for managing power generation and IP65 ratings to make them dust-free and water-resistant. Businesses and homeowners seeking to reduce their energy bills should opt for solar inverters; you have the opportunity to decrease your bills by 40%. 

Solar Batteries

iStore also offers solar batteries that can be installed together with iStore inverters to produce and maximise power output. Its modular design allows you to add another battery block to the existing one instead of buying a new battery. 

It is a good way to save money and space. It also provides you the option to add modules to enhance the power from 5 kWh to 30 kWh. It can be integrated with single and three-phase iStore inverters. 

Also, the batteries have IP66 protection ratings, meaning no dust and water can harm the battery. The LEP cell provides four-layer safety protection. It has 100% depth of discharge pack level energy optimisation. 

Heat Pumps

The iStore heat pump won the solar water heater category award by Product Review in 2021-2022. This system uses air-to-energy technology to heat water, where the system captures heat energy from the surroundings. 

Afterwards, the evaporator turns liquid refrigerant into gas; then, the compressor heats the stored water and saves it to the tank for additional use. It is a great way to eliminate conventional methods like electric and gas systems and switch to energy-efficient water heating; this product can reduce up to 2.9 tonnes of CO2 per annum. 

Additionally, you get generous federal and state government incentives after the successful installation (check our section on rebates below).

Pool Heaters 

Pool heaters from iStore are available in three different versions, each ideal for a different size pool. They stand out for having exceptional temperature control skills with sophisticated controllers. Their pool heaters use a unique titanium thread heat exchanger to ensure the greatest amount of heat transfer surface.

Compared to conventional heat exchangers, the heating efficiency is increased by 30%. Additionally, the COP (Coefficient of Performance) rating of these pool heaters is 5.8+, which is exceptional.

Accessories

Apart from the above product types, iStore is all set to introduce some new products very soon. These include the Dongle WLAN, iStore Logger, and Back Up Box.

The Complete iStore Hot Water Product Range

The product selection at iStore covers a broad range of hot water requirements, making it a flexible option for both homes and businesses. iStore provides everything you need for heating water, whether for your house, business, or pool.

Here is a brief description of its entire product range as of 2023:

iStore Solar Inverters Product Range

• iStore HYBRID inverter 5000/6000 1 Phase
• iStore HYBRID inverter 5000/6000 3 Phase
• iStore inverter 29900/40000 3 Phase

iStore Solar Batteries Product Range

• iStore Smart Battery 5000/15000 ES 5 kWh
• iStore Smart Battery 5000/15000 ES 10 kWh
• iStore Smart Battery 5000/15000 ES 15 kWh

iStore Heat Pumps Product Range

• iStore 180 L – Air to Energy
• iStore 270 L – Air to Energy

Best-Selling iStore Hot Water Products

iStore 270L Heat Pump Hot Water System

The highly effective and energy-saving iStore 270L Heat Pump Hot Water System provides hot water whenever you need it. It’s appropriate for families with up to six members and can save your hot water costs by up to 74% as compared to electric storage. It optimises your solar system’s performance by using extra PV energy to provide hot water for your house. This lowers your monthly electricity costs and annual carbon emissions by up to 4 tonnes.

Additionally, as per the Australian Federal Government Clean Energy Regulator, you can take advantage of incentives of up to $1,080 after installing an iStore system. With its innovative technology and amazing 400% efficiency, the 270L iStore is an attractive option for both financial and environmental grounds.

iStore Inverter 29900/40000 3 Phase

The iStore 2000-29.9KTL/40KTL Smart String inverter is a standout among 8-String inverters. 

This cutting-edge inverter offers a number of noteworthy features, including support for Smart I-V Curve Diagnosis, Power Line Communication (PLC), and quick troubleshooting.

It excels in efficiency by obtaining a remarkable maximum efficiency of 98.6% (98.4% European efficiency), with 4 Maximum PowerPoint Tracking (MPPT) units per device. This clever design guarantees that even if one panel is shaded or blocked, the entire system’s performance is unaffected, enabling you to install more panels on your roof and produce even more efficient power while reducing energy costs.

With this, security comes first. With a fuse-free architecture and a built-in Residual Current Monitoring Unit (RCMU), its Integrated DC Switch improves safety and maintenance ease.

Top Benefits of Choosing iStore Hot Water Products

Huge Range of Products

iStore is currently having a huge range of products for each customer’s needs. As you can see, they have a total of eight products, with three more on the way. For example, if you have a smaller family, you can choose the products with low storage tanks.

Whether you need a solar inverter, heat pumps, solar batteries, or pool heater, iStore has a solution. 

Serious About Energy Efficiency

iStore strongly emphasises energy efficiency in all of its product offerings. Their products have been rigorously developed and constructed to use the least amount of energy possible. With their iStore smart water system, you can decrease your water heating costs by up to 70%. Also, their advanced technology allows you to cut down your energy bill by 27% with more innovative hot water production methods offered by your iStore system.

For example, during the air-to-energy heating process, the iStore heat pumps use about 500 W of energy per hour. Additionally, it decreases CO2 emissions by as much as 4 tonnes.

It means that iStore is helping the environment while lowering energy costs. Energy-efficient technologies reduce greenhouse gas emissions and resource use, promoting a more environmentally friendly heat solution.

Great Rebates & Warranties

iStore makes reasonably priced hot water systems, heat pump units, and other solar heating and solar electric systems. One of the strong benefits of choosing iStore is the generous warranties. The incentives and rebates available for solar hot water systems depend on the particular product, your state, and your region.

For instance, examining the rebates and discounts offered in jurisdictions like New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland might result in cost differences. Look into the current solar system rebates in your local area, as they will also change as time passes.

iStore Warranty Information

iStore offers warranties on all of its product range. The length of the warranty varies depending on the product. For instance, customers get a 10-year warranty on the inverters, a 5-year warranty on the heat pump products, and a 2-year warranty on the accessories.

If a product fails within the warranty period, iStore will repair or replace the product at no cost to the customer. Customers must register their warranty just after installation to be eligible for warranty claims. If you bought from the official website, your warranty is already registered, but you must do it manually if you buy from a third-party retailer. 

Read the following information to understand about warranties for different iStore products:

Warranty Period of Heat Pumps:

• Refrigeration: Parts only: 5 years, Parts and labour: 5 years
• Electrical (controller & sensor leads): Parts only: 5 years, Parts and labour: 5 years
• iStore Glass linked tank: Parts only: 5 years, Parts and labour: 5 years 
• Sacrificial Anode & PTR valve: Parts only: 1 year, Parts and labour: 1 year 
• Air filter and consumable items: Parts only: 1 year, Parts and labour: 1 year

Warranty Period of Solar Inverters and Batteries:

• iStore Solar inverters: 10 years
• iStore Accessories (backup box, smart metres, dongles): 2 Years

iStore Battery: 10 years

iStore Hot Water Heater Installation

Can I install iStore products myself?

The installation of iStore hot water products must be done by licensed and certified personnel. Without the necessary training, conducting the installation can put your safety at risk and lead to a faulty setup. It is important to follow The Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA), local electrical rules, Australian standard AS 3500.4, and local authority norms throughout installation work. 

You can choose to have the setup handled by iStore installation professionals for a hassle-free experience. If you decide to hire a certified installation, finish the warranty registration on the company website. Remember that attempting a DIY installation could result in a warranty violation, which could end up costing you money in the long run. Compare Hot Water can recommend you a certified iStore installer, simply reach out and discuss your needs to get expert advice.

Where can I find an iStore Installer?

To ensure a safe and proper installation, you must choose a licensed professional who understands how to install a hot water system to be integrated safely and effectively into different homes and businesses. Additionally, you want to look out for certified, licensed installers who have experience installing the specific brand you choose. A solid option to find an iStore installer is to go with a licensed installer that Compare Hot Water can recommend to you.

What is the cost of installing iStore products?

The cost of installing iStore products can vary greatly in Australia and is affected by a number of factors. These include the type and size of the specific solar product, the difficulty of the installation, the system’s setting, any additional components needed, labour costs, and the installer’s level of experience.

We advise contacting accredited installers in your area to get a quote customised to your specific needs. After carefully analysing your unique installation requirements, they will provide an approximate quote either in-person or over the phone. Compare Hot Water is a solid choice for organising your iStore installation. The company has a network of local installers all across Australia who can provide you with a cost-effective quote that takes into account your unique situation as well as your budget. 

iStore Australia Customer Service

The iStore customer service team are available at email support or through a contact number. You can also find brochures, installation manuals, and user manuals on their site. Generally, customers have been happy with their customer service experience at iStore. There aren’t instances of strong negative reviews saying otherwise. If you’re considering purchasing an iStore product and are after more information about whether the system is right for you or if you’re looking for assistance with installation of your unit, Compare Hot Water can help you get everything in order, from advice and purchasing your unit, to complete installation. 

iStore Price Range

The iStore price range for hot water products varies depending on the kind, size, and features of the system you select. Although some environmentally friendly solutions can cost more upfront, their long-term energy bill savings and favourable effects on the environment.

Generally, the iStore product range starts from $2,900 and goes up according to the product. The iStore cost of the products will be greatly reduced if you apply for offers, rebates, and government incentives. This long-term cost-effectiveness makes iStore a smart investment. However, it is advised to speak with an authorised dealer like Compare Hot Water, who can provide an accurate quote on the product that you’re interested in.

iStore Accolades & Awards

iStore’s commitment to sustainability and innovation has not been ignored in the hot water and heat pump market. The business has received praise for its premium models of hot water solutions, offering support in the renewable energy sector in Australia.

iStore won the 2021 Product Review Award for the Solar Water Heaters category for iStore heat pumps.

iStore Australia: Our Verdict

Making eco-friendly decisions for daily requirements is essential in a world where climate change is a big problem. For Australians looking for hot water and electrical solutions that are gentle on the environment and their wallets, iStore stands out as a top option. iStore’s dedication to sustainability, energy efficiency, and offering a wide selection of products for multi-purpose use are why the company stands out in the solar hot water and heat pump market.

The business also provides a variety of discounts and warranties on its goods, which is attractive to consumers looking to invest in energy efficiency for the long term. The company has a broad selection of products to meet all needs and price ranges, so most Australian households can find a product suited to them. If you’re ready to go with a solar hot water system, this iStore review will help you narrow down your choices.

iStore Review: FAQs

Can my iStore solar system give me hot water when it’s not sunny?

Yes. iStore heat pumps are designed in such a way that they extract hot air from the atmosphere to heat the water. Also, it generates heat from compression and transfers it to the tank to warm the water. You get 2000 litres of water every day with it. Due to the dynamic, efficient structure of the iStore, the business says you can reduce expenses by up to 70%. However, we advise speaking with the installer that Compare Hot Water connects you with about the appropriate water heater for your setup and the weather. 

Are government rebates and incentives still available?

Yes. Customers replacing outdated traditional hot water systems are eligible for discounts ranging from $800 to $3,000, depending on the state where they live in Australia.

The CER database for STCs, the Victorian VEEC and VEU registries, the NSW ESC registry, and the ACT low-interest credit schemes all feature their products under the manufacturing brand.

The states can have different rebates and incentives. As a result, it is advisable to inquire about such programs with local authorities or pertinent organisations. Inquire with your iStore retailer while you are purchasing the item. 

What are the advantages of an iStore hot water system over traditional solar hot water systems?

iStore has many benefits and advantages over traditional hot water systems (like those powered by electric or gas energy). Because of its cutting-edge architecture, iStore uses less electricity than conventional systems do during the cloudy winter months.

It effectively heats water without needing mechanical dumping or frequent overheating. Additionally, iStore makes the most use of roof space by minimising conflict from PV solar panels. The iStore provides an economical and environmentally friendly hot water solution with built-in timers for harnessing daytime PV solar generation.

Where can I get iStore hot water products?

There are many places to purchase your iStore hot water systems, some offering brand-new units, while others may be retailing older models. Rather than get lost in the sea of stores, reach out to a professional advisor who can direct you to the most affordable way to purchase your iStore product and have it installed. Compare Hot Water can help you decide on a product, purchase it, and install your new system. The team will provide expert advice on your iStore system, as well as connect you with local professionals who will get your system all setup.

Are the hot water items from iStore appropriate for domestic and commercial use?

Yes, iStore provides various hot water solutions to meet domestic and business demands. iStore carries a product that meets your needs, whether you need hot water for your household, your place of business, or even a swimming pool. However, we advise you to connect to a certified installer to consult about your requirements, as there are many complexities that need to be considered when it comes to solar power compatibility and specific environments. Compare Hot Water has a team of technical advisors that understand the unique needs of Australian households and businesses and can offer you advice on the best hot water product for you.

Do I get a warranty for my iStore product?

Each product you buy from iStore is packed with warranties. These warranties vary from product to product. For example, the heat pump system is covered with a 5-year warranty for refrigeration, electrical, and tank parts. On the other hand, iStore inverters and batteries offer a 10-year warranty along with a two-year warranty on iStore accessories.

How much time does it take for iStore installation?

The time needed for a typical iStore installation might vary significantly, taking anywhere from half a day to a full day or even longer. The size and complexity of the particular system determine the precise timescale.

It’s advisable to discuss the installation schedule with your selected professionals to receive an exact quotation tailored to your project’s needs. When there are existing hot water systems to remove/replace, this might also take more time.

This will allow you to make the necessary plans and guarantee a quick and easy installation process. The installation time also depends on a number of variables. These include the system’s type and size, the local weather, the installation site (your home), and the installer’s level of experience. Contact Compare Hot Water for more information and to get advice on professional installers working in your city/town who can help you.