Answers when you
need them.

Yes – the iStore is very easy to maintain. After your iStore is installed and commissioned, maintenance required is very minimal.

iStore recommends that a 5 year service be conducted to ensure the system is working at maximum efficiency.

Can’t find the answers you were looking for? Our staff are always happy to help. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today on 1300 515 636 or leave us a message on the form below.

The Australian government manufacturers to allow 50 litres of hot water per person per day, as the 180L iStore can produce up to 1400 litres per day at 60 litres per hour we recommend the 180L for up to a family of 4 in a water conscious household with water saving showerheads. The 270L can produce up to 1900 litres per day at 80 litres per hour and suitable for large families.

iStore is a member of the Refrigerant Reclaim Australia and Ozone Depleting Substances and Synthetic Greenhouse Gases Australia (environment.gov.au) and as such takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously. The R134A is a non ozone depleting and at end of life are processed by responsible and licensed recyclers holding Australian Refrigeration Council licenses for refrigerant handling.

Should the iStore Air-to-Energy Water heater have been partially or fully submerged then is should be replaced. As a general rule water submerged water heaters may have:

• Electrical components damaged beyond repair or with compromised mechanisms.
• Fans, evaporators, flues, and heat exchangers affected by silt and blockage, causing unsafe operation.
• Other components of the water heater like insulation which may be damaged, thereby affecting the operation and life span of the water heater.

Also, if flood water has entered a water heater, the quality of the potable water provided may be affected and it is recommended that the unit be replaced. Remember, flood waters may be contaminated with sewage which can carry a range of viruses, bacteria and parasites in addition to other debris.

Call iStore on 1300 515 641.

With over 50 years of exposure to the harsh Australian water supplies the mild steel vitreous enamel lined tank is still the superior choice for storage hot water systems with the vast majority of storage systems installed being vitreous enamel.

Although the solar hot water panels have improved in efficiency over the last 20 years, the problem still remains that a booster is required for the winter months where the clouds obscure the sun. The boosters are simple heating elements typically consuming 2.4kw of electricity for each hour the booster is running. A completely cold 300L rooftop tank will consume over 14kw/hr of electricity to heat the tank to 60 degrees. The second problem is that the improvements in efficiency mean that unless there are 4+ people in the home that the tanks can heat to 99 degrees in summer and have no option but to mechanically dump the hot water to protect the tank from over pressure. The third issue still remains that the solar hot water system is consuming valuable roof space typically on the north aspect of the roof where PV electrical solar panels could be positioned to maximize generation.

Finally with maximum electrical draw from a 270L is just over 1kw/hr with a typical full heat requiring 4kw/h, the iStore has built-in timers which further allows consumers to take advantage of daytime PV solar generation to save even more on running costs.

Yes, the iStore has undergone extensive certification testing demanded by the Australian Clean Energy Regulator(CER). The CER has deemed that the iStore models will offset over 30MW of electricity in the mandated 10 year assessment. The CER also breaks the Australian regions up into climate zones with Victoria, ACT, and NSW in fact obtaining higher offset rebates than warmer regions of Australia. The Victorian and NSW state governments further back the iStore with inclusion into both of its VEEC, VEU, and ESS programs for all regions of those states.

The iStore 180L is ideal for households of 2–4 people, providing a reliable and efficient hot water supply while reducing energy bills compared to traditional electric or gas systems.

Up to 70% compared to traditional electric hot water systems. Saving of up to 77.5% with Gas hot water heating alternatives.

Yes – it uses R290 refrigerant, which has a very low global warming potential.

The iStore 180L typically takes around 4–5 hours to fully heat a tank of water, depending on ambient temperature and usage. Thanks to its highly efficient heat pump technology, it consumes far less energy than conventional systems during this process.

Yes. The iStore 180L is designed for outdoor installation, operating efficiently in a wide range of Australian climates. It works best in well-ventilated areas with good airflow to optimise heat pump performance.

The iStore has one large tank and two temperature sensors in the tank, bottom and top, the larger temperature is in the centre of the LCD and this is the water temperature at the top of the tank. Water is delivered from the top of the tank and therefor is the delivery temperature. The smaller temperature in the top left is the water temperature towards the bottom of the tank and is used to control the heating cycle.

The Federal Government Clean Energy Regulator specifies the thermostat range of all iStore style compressor hot water systems, the thermostat range is 12 degrees, this means that the bottom of the tank must fall 12 degrees below the target temperature before the heating cycle begins. The hot water delivered to the house is from the top of the tank as natural convection causes the hot water to rise to the top of the tank all of the hot water is available for use.

For Australian conditions ECO mode is the best, the onboard computer monitors the surrounding temperature, incoming water and outgoing water, heat transfer capabilities and adjusts its operation to suit. The Federal Government Clean Energy Regulator species how all of the iStore compressor hot water systems must operate in Australia and as such how the computer control operates. Intelligent and Hybrid modes are for overseas models and effectively overridden to ECO mode in Australia.

Set 1 timer ON to 10am in the morning to commence heating, in most states for a large part of the year modern solar panel systems will be generating enough electricity to provide power to the iStore and heat your water for free. Depending on the number of people in your household the OFF time to 16:01 where the volume of water is sufficient for all shower requirements in 24 hrs. If the nighttime usage is large enough to use all the water and not leave any more for the people showering in the morning then set the OFF1 time to 20:01/21:01/22:01 for a reheat to take place in the evening after usage. NOTE if you have peak evening tariffs then it may be more suitable to set a second timer to commence after your peak period such as ON2 23:00 to OFF2 03:01.

Of course – the iStore is not reliant on the sun shining. Extracting energy from the surrounding air, the iStore will provide reliable hot water day and night, all year round.

Compared to conventional gas and electric resistive hot water systems, the iStore surpasses the latest Australian Standards for safety. With an incredibly low power draw when in operation (less than a household kettle), the iStore seamlessly integrates with existing electrical infrastructure in any Australian home or business.

The iStore is equivalent to an adult conversation at 1 metre distance. The unit runs for approximately 3-4 hrs per day to reheat a fully used tank. Timers can be set to take advantage of daytime solar electricity generation and can also be programmed not to operate at night if required.

Of course – checking with your insurance company is the first port of call. iStore recommends that your insurance company is notified and listed on your policy. We also suggest to check whether you have fusion protection in case of power surges.

If your football team stops over after your winning game then the iStore can respond with manual overrides. If you have your unit setup to sip the power from your PV system during the day only but have unexpected high demand you can simply unlock the screen(press and hold the power button for 8 seconds) then wake it up to run immediately(press the power button for one second). Call us and we can discuss intermittent high demands and how best to handle them.

Similar to a mobile phone the LCD will turn off to prolong its life, the easiest way to wake the screen is to place the palm of you hand on the LCD and press gently. The screen will turn off again after 30 seconds of inactivity.

To prevent unwanted changes to the iStore settings the screen will automatically lock after 3 minutes of activity on units sold after early 2020. For older units we recommend manual locking of the screens, to lock the screen simply press and hold the power button for 8 seconds until the padlock symbol appears. To unlock any models press and hold the power button for 8 seconds until the padlock symbol turns off.

Unlike a mobile phone where the whole screen is touch sensitive, only the control buttons on the lcd are touch sensitive. On the 270L istore the lcd control buttons are 1.5cm up from the silver surround, on the 180L the buttons are 3cm up from the edge of the black frame when the protective flap is opened.

The most likely situation is you are visiting your iStore outside of the timer window, when the timer window start time is reached the unit will power on and show the actual tank temperatures. Note the unit will not heat while it is OFF.

To protect the screen from accidental changes there is a child lock that can engage after a number of minutes of inactivity, when this lock turns on a padlock symbol will appear to the right of the digital clock time. To unlock the screen press and hold the power button (leftmost button) for 8 seconds until a beep is heard and the padlock symbol turns off.

The clock and date is not required for normal functioning of the iStore, it is only required for operational timers or setting the end of my vacation.

Yes – on occasions during high demand there may be need to start the booster during heat cycles or even outside the heat cycles, simply press the booster button for a manual boost. NOTE this is a one-time boost and will not operate during the next heat cycle.

Yes – To comply with the Australian storage hot water regulations all manufacturers must comply with
anti-legionnaires protection within their product. The iStore utilises the compressor heating system
as the method to achieve the compliance due to its high efficiency.

To comply with the Australian storage hot water regulations all manufacturers must comply with
anti-legionnaires protection within their product. The iStore utilises the compressor heating system
as the method to achieve the compliance due to its high efficiency.

Yes the iStore has an internal memory so that if there is any loss of power when the power returns it remembers all of the settings and timers you have programmed in.

Unlock the screen as per FAQ “The LCD screen will not respond” then press and hold the leftmost lcd button for one second and let go, the unit should now wakeup, show you the temperatures, and if required start to heat. To turn it off again just do a one second press on the power button to return it to the OFF state.

The iStore units are listed on the Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator registry – Rec-Registry under two System Brands:-

The “IHEAT” brand has two models included as PASHW008-180LD-NM and PASHW015-270LD-FL02

The “IHEAT/ISTORE” brand has one model included as PASHW015-270LD-FL02-R290

The iStore uses R134a refrigerant gas, R-134a is a very safe refrigerant with an ASHRAE safety classification of A1. This means it is not flammable and has very low toxicity levels. Because HFC-134a has no chlorine in its molecule, it has a zero ozone-depletion potential (ODP) and doesn’t deplete the stratospheric ozone layer. R-134a is used extensively in Australia across a wide variety of applications including hot water heat pumps, air conditioners and almost every vehicle air conditioner.

iStore is a member of Refrigerant Reclaim Australia and licensed by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. iStore only uses licensed refrigeration technicians with Responsible Disposal of Gases licenses.

The federal government enforces strict guidelines onto energy efficient products such as the iStore, as such the thermostat band is 12 degrees. If you check your lcd screen it has two numbers, the small number in the top left is the bottom of the tank temperature and this controls the heating cycle. When the bottom drops to 12 degrees below the target temperature then the heating cycle will commence. Typically your iStore would be set to 60 degrees, this can be checked by pressing the up arrow once to display that target. Following a 60 degrees target the bottom of the tank needs to drop to 48 degree to start the heating. Note that the hot water always rises and will stay at the top of the tank during usage and delivery to the house so if you see say 55 in the centre and 35 in the top left the house will still be getting 55 degree water from the tank. 

For Units manufactured from January 2023 ignores timers with the same start and end time, that is 00:00 on thru 00:00 off will not activate as 12:00 on thru 12:00 off will also not activate. On and off times should have differing minutes also to ensure the desired period is achieved. For example for a full daytime timer a start of 10:00 on thru 16:00 should have the minute increased to 16:01 to confirm the timer window operation.

For Units manufactured prior to January 2023 do not set the second timer to 00:00 ON and 00:00 OFF as the unit will commence heating at midnight every second night. To leave the second time off simply allow the timer 2 setting to timeout after setting the first timer end time.

If you visit your iStore outside of the timer window the display should say OFF in the centre of the screen, when inside the timer window the temperatures are displayed.

If you are setting the timer and you are currently outside of the timer you will need to switch the unit to the OFF state by a 2 second press on the power button and let go, when the timer start time is reached it activates the display and will show the temperatures etc, at the end of the timer window the display will return to the OFF state.

A simple way to double check is set the start to 2 minutes ahead of the current time, set the end to 2 minutes after the start, switch the unit to the OFF state with a 2 second press and release on the power button. Watch the clock and when the start time is reached the unit should wake up for 2 minutes then go back to sleep 2 minutes after that.

Note if the water temperature is within the 12 degree thermostat range at the bottom of the tank (top left number) then the unit will not heat during those 2 minutes.

If you are setting the timer and you are currently outside of the timer you wish to have, you will need to switch the unit to the OFF state by a 2 second press on the power button and let go. Conversely if you are adjusting it so the current time is inside the timer window, you may need to switch the unit to the ON state by a 2 second press on the power button and let go.

If you have shortened the timer but not switched it to the OFF state then the unit could reheat based on water usage until the next time the timer window turns ON and then OFF.

If you have lengthened the timer but the unit is still OFF then you will need to switch the unit to the ON state otherwise no heating will occur until the next time the timer window turns ON and then OFF.

When the timer ON time is reached it activates the display and will show the temperatures etc, at the end of the timer window the display will return to the OFF state.

EXAMPLE 1 – Timer 1 set from 10:00 to 16:01 – You visit the unit at 08:00 and wish to change the ON time to 07:00, you alter the ON time to 07:00 but the unit will remain in the OFF state until 10:00 as 07:00 is already passed. If you wish to force the unit ON now the press the power button for 2 seconds to switch to the ON state OR you can leave the unit to pickup the earlier ON time the next day.

EXAMPLE 2 – Timer 1 set from 10:00 to 16:01 – You visit the unit at 17:00 and wish to change the OFF time to 20:01, you alter the ON time to 20:01 but the unit will remain in the OFF state until 10:00 as 16::01 is already passed. If you wish to force the unit ON now the press the power button for 2 seconds to switch to the ON state OR you can leave the unit to pickup the earlier ON time the next day.

EXAMPLE 3 – Timer 1 set from 10:00 to 22:01 – You visit the unit at 20:00 and wish to change the OFF time to 16:01, you alter the OFF time to 16:01 but the unit will remain in the ON state until 16:01 the next day. If you wish to force the unit OFF now the press the power button for 2 seconds to switch to the OFF state OR you can leave the unit to pickup the earlier OFF time the next day.

There should be no reason to turn your temperature down as iStore heaters should already have an anti-scald / tempering valve installed to comply with Australian regulations which will limit the delivery temperature to 50 degrees.

For domestic environments we do limit the units to 60/62 degrees depending on the models but remember that your house should also have an anti-scald/tempering vale to automatically reduce the household delivery to 50 degrees.

To clear the timers press and hold the clock button for two seconds until ON 1 and the timer is displayed and flashes, then a single tap on the power button in the bottom left of the LCD will disable the timers. You can confirm they are disabled as the words ON, OFF, and 1/2 will no longer be displayed above the digital clock time.

No the iStore has a single speed fan to maximize the heating capability, the fan will only run while the heat cycle is underway.

There is an overseas function in older units that was designed to capture the cold air from the iStore and duct that to the kitchen, it was termed fan mode. There was a trap where if the electric booster button is held for an extended period the fan mode is started in either slow or fast speed. To clear the fan mode simply press and hold the booster button until the fan icon moves from 1/2 fan to full fan and then the icon turns off, let go and the fan should stop. NOTE if the unit is heating at that time the fan will stay on until the end of the heat cycle.

Generally no, the system status is held in memory during a power outage or cycle.

If you do NOT have any timers set then no, nothing needs to be checked but if you do have timers then the iStore may have missed its ON or OFF time.

If the power outage is completely inside your timer window or completely outside your timer window then your normal heating cycle will not be affected.

Your iStore will carry on its normal cycle the next night or day without you possibly noticing depending on the outage time, duration and your hot water needs. Timers are not lost during power outages.

Example 1 – your timer is set to 10am to 16:01 and the power is turned off at 8am and then returns at 11am, in this case the iStore has missed the ON time and will remain OFF until the next day unless you manually switch it back on. To manually switch it on you may need to wake up the LCD by placing the palm of your hand on the screen and pressing gently, then check to see if the child lock is engaged as indicated by a padlock symbol in the lower right next to the digital clock, if it is locked then press and hold the power button in the bottom left for 8 seconds until the lock turns off. Now press the power button for 2 seconds and let go, the iStore will now change to the ON state and if required will heat.

Example 2 – your timer is set to 10am to 16:01 and the powers is turned off at 14:00 and then returns at 17:00, in this case the iStore has missed the OFF time and will remain ON until the next day unless you manually switch it back off. To manually switch it off you may need to wake up the LCD by placing the palm of your hand on the screen and pressing gently, then check to see if the child lock is engaged as indicated by a padlock symbol in the lower right next to the digital clock, if it is locked then press and hold the power button in the bottom left for 8 seconds until the lock turns off. Now press the power button for 2 seconds and let go, the iStore will now change to the OFF state.

The booster element is a either 1.5kw or 1.0kw depending on the model and is very small compared to the average 2kw(180L) / 4kw(270L) heating capacity provided by the compressor. From an energy use perspective, the compressor is 4 times more efficient so it is always the preferred heating method. From a recovery perspective, the element can deliver approx. 20 litres per hr compared to the compressor delivery on average 50-60L/hr(180L) / 70-80L/hr(270L).

So as to when you should use the booster, only under very high demand or recovery needs, and in an emergency situation.

The Federal Government Clean Energy Regulator states that the manual booster may only remain active for the single heat cycle until the target temperature is reached.

Both the compressor and the booster use the same logic but different temperature sensors. The compressor uses the lower sensor(top left number on the lcd) and when that sensor falls > the target temperature minus 11 degrees the compressor will start and heat to the target. Likewise the booster uses the upper sensor(centre number on the lcd) and when it falls > 11 degrees below the target it will start the single boost button and heat the top of the tank to the target. If you press the booster and it is within 11 degrees of the target it will switch itself off again.

Please also refer to the “When should i use the booster? – FAQ”

Please refer to the FAQ “When should i use Vacation Mode” prior to reviewing and implementing the steps below.

Vacation mode requires a number of things to be setup and some simple steps to activate.

Firstly the system year, month, day, and time needs to be set, refer to the owners manual.

Secondly, turn the unit to the OFF state with a 2 second press, hold, and release of the power button.

Thirdly, set the mode to vacation by tapping the mode button to step thru the modes until the umbrella is displayed. Once vacation mode is selected the system will prompt for the month, day, and year of return, set each and tap thru until the lcd return to TODAYS date.

The LCD will NOT display the return date but instead the current date.

Please always refer to the most up-to-date owners manual available on the website as it is progressively improved with tips and operating instructions.

Yes – the operation of the fan indicates that the iStore is running its heating cycle, the fan will stop once the temperature target is reached.

No – the iStore can be left to operate on the thermostat only if you wish.

NO, the timer windows are designed to control operation of the iStore to the desired period(s), during the timer window the iStore will “wake up” and review the internal tank temperature. Should the water require heating then the system will operate until the target temperature is reached.

Once the target temperature is reached the iStore will shutdown the heat cycle but will remain in an alert state observing the water temperature, should the water require heating again it will restart the heat cycle.

The timer OFF setting will override the heat cycle and move the iStore to the “sleep” or OFF state. No heating will take place outside of the timer window.

To comply with the Australian storage hot water regulations all manufacturers must comply with anti-legionnaires protection within their product.

Vacation mode was previously used as a tool if you do not wish to wait for a tank reheat when you return from vacation.

Extensive testing and real life operation has shown that utilizing the compressor heating system as the method to achieve the compliance is far more efficient.

During short vacations simply leave your iStore it its normal mode and let it reheat while you are away, confident that you water is kept safe at the lowest possible energy consumption. The iStore may only reheat once per week while you are away depending on weather conditions.

For extended vacations you may turn your iStore power supply off while you are away but note that the clock will need reset if you are away for over 10-14 days.

Air and sediment may enter the hot water pipes depending on whether the local water authority was carrying out major works or some other minor maintenance on your home plumbing system.

Simply run any hot water tap until it flows normally.

The iStore carries out automatic defrost cycles during very cold weather conditions to prevent ice build up. During the defrost cycle a fog or mist may be witnessed coming from the iStore. There is no cause for concern should this be seen.

By installing an iStore, you can save up to $1000 per year.

Installing an iStore is the equivalent of removing 4 tonnes worth of CO₂ every year!

How long before my system pays itself back should be changed to “Based on 200 litres per day usage (4 people) a household replacing an electric storage or 10 year old gas system could expect a return on investment to be approximately 3 years when factoring in the replacement / purchase cost of a traditional hot water system.

Yes.
Depending on your residing state in Australia,
customers replacing existing traditional hot water systems may be eligible for $800 to
$3000 off their system cost!

Our products are listed under the IHEAT manufacturing brand and can be found on the CER database for STCs, the Victorian VEEC and VEU registers, the NSW ESC register and the ACT low interest loan schemes.

Yes the 2 models operate with exactly the same efficient, tried, and proven heating process. The super efficient 180L with a powerful 500W compressor will heat all your hot water or the powerful 900W compressor in our 270L will cover all of your hot water needs for your large and growing family.

Yes the iStore has over 50mm of insulation to prevent rapid heat loss, in fact the Australian Government has specific compliance testing for heat loss and is considered an essential part of the certification process to obtain government rebates.

Although the solar hot water panels have improved in efficiency over the last 20 years, the problem still remains that a booster is required for the winter months where the clouds obscure the sun. The boosters are simple heating elements typically consuming 2.4kw of electricity for each hour the booster is running. A completely cold 300L rooftop tank will consume over 14kw/hr of electricity to heat the tank to 60 degrees. The second problem is that the improvements in efficiency mean that unless there are 4+ people in the home that the tanks can heat to 99 degrees in summer and have no option but to mechanically dump the hot water to protect the tank from over pressure. The third issue still remains that the solar hot water system is consuming valuable roof space typically on the north aspect of the roof where PV electrical solar panels could be positioned to maximize generation.

Finally with maximum electrical draw from a 270L is just over 1kw/hr with a typical full heat requiring 4kw/h, the iStore has built-in timers which further allows consumers to take advantage of daytime PV solar generation to save even more on running costs.

Australia has a very wide range of weather conditions and as such the Federal Government Clean Energy Regulator (CER) insists that water heaters like the iStore must be tested in everything from 0 degrees up to over 30 degrees ambient temperatures. During a heat cycle the iStore in fact undergoes a large range of heating as the water entering the tank can be below 10 degrees and the target is 60 degrees.

The iStore achieves an average COP of 4 over the testing required, this means that for every 1kw of electricity consumed that 4kw of heat energy is imparted to the tank water.

The Australian Government department of Energy Rating tests and issues the Star rating for all products. www.energyrating.gov.au states “Solar, heat pump and electric instantaneous water heaters do not have energy efficiency requirements.”

The Federal goverment Clean Energy Regulator(CER) issues certificates that indicate how much energy can be saved in the remaining 8 years of the ERF/ACCU schemes. An iStore can save a household between 24Mw to 25Mw of power(depending on location) in that period and based on these certified results the CER provides incentives to home owners to install this technology.

When compared to electric or gas hot water systems an iStore can easily reduce the energy used by 70%, this figure is certified and used for state based rebates such as those in Victoria and New South Wales.

Yes the iStore is eligible for this QLD rebate as well as the Federal Government rebate.

From the govt website:-

https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/home-modifications-energy-savings/climate-smart-energy-savers/about

• Solar hot water systems and heat pump hot water systems.
  • Solar hot water systems and heat pump hot water systems can receive a discount under the Federal Government’s Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) scheme and still be eligible for a rebate.

NOTE – there is no Energy Star rating for any heat pump hot water systems in Australia and this is not a requirement for this scheme. The iStore qualifies by the fact it is included in the Federal Scheme.

The iStore and iHeat tanks are made in China to our specification, these tanks have been used by us for 18 years in across the country. With 40,000 tanks now installed over this time we have very high confidence level in the performance and longevity of the tanks. Some states have some quite harsh water and others high pressures. Note that all installations require pressure reduction valves to comply with the Australia wide 500kpa limitation for household plumbing fittings which also protects the tank. The iStore tanks have 2 sacrificial anodes, one whole of life and the other a service anode that should be serviced approximately every 3 years depending on your water quality.

The most common installation location is on the ground, located outside the home. Custom solutions for tight / elevated areas can be designed, however please contact an iStore specialist to discuss your needs.

The 270L all-in-one iStore will require approximately 0.7m in width x 2.1m height whereas the iStore 180L is specifically designed for narrow block installations and has the unique dimensions of 0.54m in width x 2.1m height

Yes – the iStore can in fact be installed indoors as the refrigerant used is non-flammable and safe to be installed indoors. Provision for adequate fresh air to unit location shall be provided. Contact iStore to discuss your site-specific needs.

Typically, an installation of the iStore will take between 2-3 hours to complete. In almost all installation scenarios you will have hot water again the same evening of installation.

Yes – the iStore is an ideal replacement for existing gas or electric hot water systems. In fact, installing an iStore when replacing existing hot water systems takes about the same time as installing a traditional gas or electric hot water system.

The power draw of an iStore will vary slightly during the heat cycle as the water temperature increases but you general requirements the figures below are indicative of a 60 degree heat target.

180L iStore – 500/700w draw(3 amps)

270L iStore – 1000/1200w draw(5 amps)

Compressor technology water heaters like the iStore are constantly filled with condensation that forms on the evaporator, this means that the components are designed to be in such an environment for its entire working life.

All of the components are either non-ferrous, galvanized, or polycarbonate construction to handle such a harsh environment.

A standard servicing schedule to suit the water supply should include a review of any possible dust, pollen, or salt build up inside the evaporator and compressor area of the iStore. Any build up can be simply washed out with gentle application of water with a garden hose.

NOTE: no high pressure cleaning, solvents, or abrasives should be applied.

Technically your iStore can reside on a shared circuit but we will leave the ultimate decision to your electrician to decide whether the circuit is suitable for the load from either size of iStore you chose. There are many factors that determine whether a circuit is suitable to handle the possible loads introduced and the electrician will consider those and the AS/NZ3000 wiring standards when installing our products.

No, the iStore cannot accept anything termed as an uncontrolled heat source, these can be a wood chip heater, a wetback fireplace, or traditional solar hot water panels, as these products can deliver boiling water to the iStore. Connection of these products will void the iStore warranty.

No, the iStore will operate normally on any aspect as the ambient temperature on any open area around the house will be the same. This is a very old misconception on the operation of compressor style hot water heaters.

This valve is mandated by the Australian government to prevent children and the elderly from getting scalded with hot water, these valves were mandated in 2013 for all states on new or replacement storage hot water systems.. The anti-scald valve will automatically mix the water down to a maximum of 5o degrees celcius for delivery to the household. It is illegal to alter or remove an anti-scald valve.

Yes technically there is no reason why an iStore cannot be on a controlled load circuit.

Note that technical support during normal business hours can be limited unless there is a manual override of the circuit available.

Utilising the built in timers is typically a more flexible way to restrict the operating times to those desired.

It is not advised to attempt integration of the iStore built in timers with the Offpeak circuit as the grid removing power at varying times may interrupt the heating cycles from the built in timers. Removal of the power will leave the iStore in the state it was in at that time, for example if the unit was in the OFF state when the power was removed then it will remember that and be in the OFF state when the grid turns the power back on. The iStore will not switch back on until the start timer is reached and hence may not heat at all during the grid power supply time.

Yes an iStore can be installed inside but the iStore requires a minimum of 120 cubic meters of natural ventilation to operate efficiently. An example would be an area of 8.0m x 6.3m x 2.4m (a large double garage or open space under a home). External installation is the preferred method to capture the warm ambient air temperature but note the air discharged will always be cold. If unit is being installed internally, provision for fresh air to be introduced shall be provided 450(270L) / 700(180L) m3/h minimum requirement

Currently we do not offer any ducting to redirect the exhaust air from an iStore. Please note that the exhaust is typically between 5 to 10 degrees colder than the ambient temperature and typically operates for less that 4 hrs per day. This relatively short operating time provides a total volume not typically offering any reuse opportunity. Please note that we do not want the exhaust air restricted in any manner as this could adversely effect the operation and longevity of the iStore.

Yes – the iStore is very easy to maintain. After your iStore is installed and commissioned, maintenance required is very minimal.

iStore recommends that a 5 year service be conducted to ensure the system is working at maximum efficiency.

Can’t find the answers you were looking for? Our staff are always happy to help. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today on
1300 515 636 or leave us a message on the form below.

Yes the iStore has two sacrificial anodes, one for whole of life and the other is the service anode. The service anode standard change schedule is 5 years for typical Australian capital city town water. Regional Australia can have harsh water and as such more frequent checks and possible replacements can be recommended by local service agents. If the Total Dissolved Solids is greater than 600PPM, the anode shall be inspected every year and replaced at intervals not greater than every 2 yrs.

No, there are no dust filters in an iStore to be cleaned, the evaporator inside the unit is very similar to a radiator in a car but due to the hydrophilic coating employed in an istore generally the dust does not collect on the evaporator. If you look thru the grills and it appears clear similar to the car radiator, then there is no cleaning required.

For further advice on this topic please call 1300 515 636.

Whether it be a new installation or your iStore has been installed for some time there are a number of factors to consider.

NEW INSTALLATION:-

All appliances and fittings within an Australian home are now produced to accept a maximum pressure of 500kpa, in fact new housing developments have limiting valves just after the water meter to restrict the whole of home. This means that your dishwasher, fridge, washing machine, flexible undersink hoses etc are all protected from over pressure. The iStore is specified to have a pressure reduction valve in place to meet the design of criteria of 500kpa.

EXISTING INSTALLATION:-

Plumbing valves are susceptible to clogging if a significant volume of sediment passes thru the the pipework. Clogging of the valves may reduce the pressure delivery from the iStore but may also influence the operation also the anti-scald valve, it a significant amount of sediment blocks the protective screens at the valve the temperature of the water delivered to the house can be reduced.

There is nothing inside the iStore unit that can restrict the flow, it the pressure or delivery temperature is being effected then please call your installation plumber and discuss your concerns and possible service needs.

Compressor technology water heaters like the iStore are constantly filling with condensation that forms on the very cold evaporator, this is identical to the operation of a fridge or an air conditioner. The condensate amount will vary depending on the humidity of the day and will cease once the heat cycle is completed.

All storage hot water systems need to control the pressure in the tank as the water expands during the heat cycle, it is normal for the pressure control valve(s) to drip during a heat cycle and this will cease once the heat cycle is completed. Australian Water authorities are aware of this loss and allow approximately 2% water loss during a heat cycle.

Ideal for families of around 3–6+ persons or homes with higher hot water demands.

Its Coefficient of Performance (COP) ranges from 4.0 to 4.8, depending on ambient conditions.

Yes—approved for STCs and other state/federal rebates, including potential ~$1,080 federal incentive.

Absolutely—designed to act as a solar battery alternative by converting surplus solar energy into hot water.