iStore 180L Heat Pump Hot Water Cylinder
- 4.3
- COP
- 180 L
- Tank
- 9.0c
- Running Cost/kWh
- 46 dB(A)
- Noise
- R290
- Refrigerant
- —
- Installed from
Who is it a good fit for?
• Smaller households (2–4 people) 180L- wanting a compact integrated unit rather than a split system.
• Larger households (4–5 people) 270L - needing more recovery capacity than the 180L offers.
• Buyers who want a widely-used, track-recorded brand — iStore was Australian installers' top pick two years running (SolarQuotes Installer's Choice Awards, 2025 and 2026).
• Solar households — Wi-Fi scheduling lets you shift heating into solar generation hours.
• Not ideal at the very top end of daily water usage (6+ people) — verify recovery capacity against your actual usage before committing.
Review
Performance & Efficiency
The 180L is iStore's compact model, aimed at 2–4 person households, built around a 0.58kW compressor and rated at 2.5kW heating capacity. The 270L is the larger integrated model, with a 0.85kW compressor and 4.0kW heating capacity. Both use R290 (propane) refrigerant — a natural refrigerant with a very low global warming potential.The units have a COP of 4.31 (180L) and 4.71 (270L) which is a solid efficiency for an integrated unit.
Features
- 6-button LCD panel: with a 2-window programmable timer, letting you schedule heating around solar generation hours or off-peak tariffs. Wi-Fi connectivity is coming soon.
- Operating noise: 46 dB(A) for the 180L and 47 dB(A) for the 270L.
- Warranty: A 5 years parts and labour across every component — tank, refrigeration, electrical/controller, anode and PTR valve, and consumables.
5–6+ person households may find the 270L tight if they are high water user although the reported recovery rate is very high.
Supply & Service Network
Relatively new to New Zealand, iStore is a well-regarded Australian brand, designed in Australia and manufactured in China.
Australian installers rated it the best in the category for the second year running: SolarQuotes' 2026 Installer's Choice Awards had iStore taking 63% of the installer vote for "which heat pump would you choose for your own home" a repeat of its 2025 win.
While there is no official service network here units and parts are available both North and South Islands via SmithsNZ in Christchurch and Hamilton via plumbing wholesalers.
Specs
iStore 180L Heat Pump Hot Water CylinderCost & efficiency
- Typical installed price
- —
- COP (rated)
- 4.3
- Test conditions
- —
- Test standard
- Derived from iStore's install manual performance table (heating capacity ÷ compressor power input = 2.5kW ÷ 0.58kW). Not a certified/disclosed COP test result — no AS/NZS 60335.2.21 (or equivalent) test standard or ambient/inlet conditions stated in the manual. Treat as indicative until an official energy rating label is sourced from Smiths NZ.
- Eff. cost/kWh
- 9.0c
- Input power
- 0.58 kW
- Heating capacity
- 2.5 kW
- Household size
- 2–3 people
Hot water performance
- Tank size
- 180 L
- Max temperature
- 60 °C
- Hot water output
- —
- Recovery rate
- Up to 130 L/hr recovery rate
- Max water pressure
- 500
- Tank material
- Glass-lined steel tank (per iStore Component Warranty Table)
- Tank insulation
- —
- Backup element
- 1.0kW
Installation & dimensions
- System type
- Integral (all-in-one)
- Indoor / outdoor
- Outdoor
- Min clearance / space
- 500mm sides / 50mm rear (no wall contact) / 100mm top
- Min space required
- 500mm clearance each side; 50mm min. rear (unit must not touch wall); 100mm top clearance; min. 120m³ natural ventilation if outdoor, or 700 m³/h forced fresh air if installed indoors
- Dimensions (H×W×D mm)
- 1957mm H × 540mm diameter (583mm incl. base bracket)
- Unit weight (empty)
- 93kg
Climate & environment
- Refrigerant
- R290 (GWP 3)
- Operating range
- -5 °C to 43 °C
- Noise
- 46 dB(A)
- Heating capacity
- 2.5 kW
Controls & features
- Display type
- 6-button LCD panel
- Control modes
- Eco, Electric Boost
- Smart / Wi-Fi
- No
- Solar PV ready
- Yes
Warranty & support
- Tank warranty
- 5 years parts & labour
- Parts & labour warranty
- 5 years parts & labour
- Installer restriction
- Must be installed by a licensed plumber and electrician; R290 (flammable refrigerant, class 3 per AS1677) requires a suitably licensed refrigeration mechanic. A 500kPa Pressure Reduction Valve is mandatory — omitting it voids the warranty. NZ-equivalent licensing (EWRB / gasfitting registration) to be confirmed with Smiths NZ.
- Supplier / brand
- iStore