Efficient water heating
The heat-pump cycle draws heat from the air, reducing the electricity needed compared with conventional electric resistance heating.
iSTORE / BENDIGO & CENTRAL VICTORIAEveryday hot water.
Everyday hot water.
Smarter energy.
Meet Unified Solar’s recommended heat pump. Explore iStore’s 180 L and 270 L R290 systems, matched to your household and your solar plans.
180 L & 270 L optionsProgrammable heating5-year warranty*
*Manufacturer parts-and-labour warranty, subject to terms.
iStore 270 LAir to energy.
WHY UNIFIED SOLAR CHOOSES iSTOREOur preferred heat pump.
Our preferred heat pump.
For practical reasons.
We recommend iStore for its balance of useful features, household options and support. Your water use and installation still decide the right fit.
A good partner for solar
Programmable heating lets us explore daytime operation around available solar and household demand.
Two useful sizes
The 180 L and 270 L all-in-one units give us options for different demand and installation spaces.
Support you can check
Published manuals, Australian support contacts and a five-year parts-and-labour warranty, with conditions clearly documented.
INSTALLER RECOGNITION
Read the survey and methodology ↗First place in SolarQuotes’ 2025 installer survey.
iStore received 29% of votes from the 89 installers who responded when asked which brand they would choose for their own home. This is a dated survey result, rather than a claim that one product suits everyone.
AIR TO ENERGYHeat from the air.
Heat from the air.
Hot water for your home.
A heat pump moves heat, rather than relying only on an electric element to create it. Think of the same principle used by an air conditioner, applied to water.
EXPLORE THE FOUR STEPS
1. Collect heat
A fan draws ambient air over an evaporator. Refrigerant absorbs heat from that air and turns into a gas.
The cycle needs electricity and moving air. A heat pump does not need direct sunshine or solar panels to operate.
UNDERSTANDING EFFICIENCY
What does COP mean?
A coefficient of performance (COP) of 3 means 1 kWh of electricity produces 3 kWh of heat by also drawing energy from the air. That is an example, not a promise for every day.
One published iStore test
iStore reports COP 4.82 for its 270 L model at 20°C ambient air, heating a full tank from 15°C to 60°C. Actual efficiency changes with air and inlet-water temperature, settings and use. It is not a fixed percentage saving on your bill.
See the manufacturer test note ↗TWO SIZES. YOUR ROUTINE.Choose the fit.
Choose the fit.
Then fine-tune the plan.
Headcount is only a starting point. Showers, baths, peak demand and recovery time decide which tank is worth exploring.
R290 HEAT PUMP HOT WATER
iStore 180 L
Smaller households or moderate hot-water demand; assess shower length, baths and back-to-back use.
180 L storage · 540 mm diameter
Ask about the 180 L ↗R290 HEAT PUMP HOT WATER
iStore 270 L
Higher hot-water demand, repeated showers or larger families; confirm recovery and winter demand.
270 L storage · 640 mm diameter
Ask about the 270 L ↗| Compare the details | iStore 180 L | iStore 270 L |
|---|---|---|
| Model number | PASHW008-180LD-NM-R290 | PASHW015-270LD-FL02-R290 |
| Stored water | 180 L | 270 L |
| Rated heating output | 2.5 kW | 4.0 kW |
| Rated compressor input | 0.58 kW | 0.85 kW |
| Full rated electrical input | 2.0 kW | 2.38 kW |
| Sound pressure · laboratory at 1 m | 46 dB(A) at 1 m | 47 dB(A) at 1 m |
| Unit diameter | 540 mm | 640 mm |
| Common features | R290 refrigerant · 240 V supply · programmable heating · 1.0 kW auxiliary booster | |
Specifications above use the February 2026 R290 installation manual. Heating output is different from electrical input. Compressor input excludes other electrical loads; operating modes and the booster can increase power draw. Ratings are not a daily-use forecast.
Both units are approximately 2 m tall. Published heights vary across iStore documents and product revisions. Confirm the supplied model’s dimensions and required airflow and service clearances before choosing a location. Sound figures are manufacturer anechoic tests, not a prediction at your boundary.
Compare the 180 L and 270 L side by side ↗PLANNED FOR BENDIGOThe installation matters.
The installation matters.
So does everyday use.
We look at the whole hot-water setup, from the location to the way your household uses it.
Cold-weather recovery
Heat pumps can work in cool weather, but output and efficiency change. We assess winter demand, recovery and any boosting needs rather than promising a fixed reheat time.
Location and water quality
Allow airflow, service access, a suitable base and drainage. Discuss noise near bedrooms and neighbours, and tell us about bore or tank water so suitability can be checked.
Solar and battery planning
Daytime heating may use surplus solar directly, leaving battery capacity for other loads. Scheduling is matched to hot-water availability, tariffs and required hygiene cycles.
Five-year parts and labour
iStore’s manufacturer warranty is subject to its full terms. Register within six weeks and follow installation, maintenance and water-quality requirements. Manufacturer cover and installation workmanship are separate.
A clear replacement scope
Your quote should identify the tank, plumbing and electrical work, old-unit removal, any base or drainage work, commissioning and applicable incentives. Costs depend on the site; no rebate or saving is assumed.
Do I need solar panels?
No. An iStore uses electricity and heat from the air. Rooftop solar can help supply its electricity when generation and heating overlap.
Is the 270 L always the better choice?
No. Choose around daily and peak hot-water use, recovery and available space. We can assess both sizes without treating household numbers as a guarantee.
Does it work at night or in winter?
It does not depend on direct sunlight. Colder air can reduce performance and lengthen heating. We check the exact model, operating requirements and demand for your property.
Can I control it from my phone?
Wi-Fi and app setup depend on the supplied model and serial number. Confirm compatibility in your quote. Timer scheduling can be discussed as part of the installation.
What maintenance is needed?
Follow the supplied owner manual, including the specified valve, anode and water-quality checks by the appropriate trades. At handover, ask for a maintenance schedule and keep service records.
Is a rebate guaranteed?
No. Household eligibility, the exact product, authorised-retailer arrangements and application timing all matter. Check the live official requirements before proceeding.
Sources, product documents & image credits
Checked 25 October 2026. Original Unified Solar explanations. Product imagery and cutaway supplied through iStore’s manufacturer website; these are product illustrations, not Unified Solar installation photos. No SolarQuotes affiliation is implied.
SolarQuotes heat-pump buying guide ↗ · 2025 installer survey ↗ · Solar Victoria hot-water guidance ↗
ANOTHER HOT-WATER OPTIONConsidering Midea?
Considering Midea?
Compare before deciding.
In addition to our preferred iStore range, we can discuss the Midea E-Boost 280 L R290 heat pump. Installation space, tank volume, smart features and full job costs all affect which option makes sense.
Explore Midea E-Boost ↗MIDEAE-Boost280 L
Illustration only · Official specification
A QUICKER WAY TO STARTPrefer a call?
Prefer a call?
Keep it simple.
No system specifications needed. Tell us which type of installation you're considering and how to reach you. For a detailed enquiry, use the full quote brief.
GOOD ENERGY STARTS HERELet’s build something
Let’s build something
that fits your life.
Solar, storage, EV charging, off-grid power or hot water. Tell us what you have in mind.
0428 280 294 ↗Family-owned
Proudly based in Bendigo
Proudly based in Bendigo
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