Reclaim vs Sanden vs iStore — Heat Pump Hot Water Compared

Written and reviewed by ThermaQuote Editorial · Published 2026-06-11 · Last updated 2026-06-17

Reclaim, Sanden and iStore are three of the most-searched heat pump hot water brands in Australia — and they suit quite different buyers. Get the match right and you'll have a quiet, efficient system that shrugs off winter; get it wrong and you'll either overpay for performance you don't need or under-buy for a cold climate. This guide compares them in depth — refrigerant, efficiency, noise, warranty, price and real-world running cost — and then gives you scenario-based recommendations.

At a glance

	Reclaim	Sanden	iStore
Type	CO2 split	CO2 split	Integrated
Refrigerant	CO2 (R744)	CO2 (R744)	R290 / synthetic
Best for	Cold climates, solar homes	Reliability in the cold	Value all-rounder
Tank sizes	~250–315L	~250–315L	~270L
Price band (installed, pre-rebate)	$3,800–$4,800	$3,800–$4,800	$2,800–$3,800
Noise	Low (split)	Very low (split)	Moderate (integrated)
Solar features	Strong (smart timer)	Good	Good

Price bands are indicative and move with rebates and installer — always get an after-rebate quote.

Why refrigerant is the headline difference

The biggest technical split here is CO2 (R744) versus a more conventional refrigerant. Reclaim and Sanden both use CO2; iStore uses propane (R290) or a synthetic blend depending on model.

CO2 has two advantages that matter in southern Australia: it holds its efficiency at low ambient temperatures better than most refrigerants, and it's a natural refrigerant with a tiny global-warming potential, so it's future-proofed against the ongoing phase-down of synthetic gases. The practical upshot: on a frosty Ballarat morning a CO2 system keeps its compressor doing the work, where a cheaper unit might hand off to its electric element and burn through your savings.

That said, R290 (propane) is also a natural refrigerant with excellent properties, and in mild climates the difference in real-world efficiency between a good integrated R290 unit and a CO2 split is modest.

Reclaim Energy — the solar household's favourite

Reclaim's CO2 split system is a favourite among solar households because its controller is genuinely good at running the compressor during the day to soak up surplus solar — turning hot water into a near-free by-product of your panels. The smart timer logic is the standout feature: set it to heat in the middle of the day and you minimise grid draw.

CO2 performance on cold mornings means the electric element rarely needs to engage, which is exactly what you want in Ballarat, Bendigo or the Latrobe Valley. Tank options span roughly 250–315L, covering small households up to large families.

Trade-offs: it sits at the top of the market on price, and being a split system it needs refrigerant lines run during installation, so the install is a little more involved (and the quote a little higher). It also needs a sensible spot for the wall-mounted compressor.

Choose Reclaim if: you have (or are adding) solar, live somewhere with real winters, and want the most efficient option available.

Sanden — the quiet, long-life workhorse

Sanden is the other premium CO2 split system, with a long track record for reliability and famously quiet operation. It's the unit people install and then forget about for a decade. It excels in cooler climates and is a popular choice where homeowners prioritise longevity and low fuss over the lowest sticker price.

Its build quality and reputation for lasting well beyond ten years are the draw. The solar-optimisation features are good, though Reclaim's controller edges it for automatic solar-diversion smarts.

Trade-offs: like Reclaim, it's a premium purchase and a split install with refrigerant lines and a separate compressor to site.

Choose Sanden if: reliability and quiet running top your list and you're happy to pay for a long-life, low-fuss unit.

iStore — the value all-rounder

iStore is an integrated unit — tank and compressor in one — which makes it cheaper to buy and simpler to install (no refrigerant lines, fewer trades, faster job). It includes smart controls and solar-diversion features, so for the majority of homes that don't face extreme cold it's a genuinely good all-rounder and usually the best value. The 270L model suits a typical family of four.

Trade-offs versus the CO2 split units: it's a touch less efficient in very cold weather, and being integrated it sits outside humming like a fridge — so siting away from bedroom windows and boundaries matters more.

Choose iStore if: you want most of the benefit at a friendlier price and you're in a mild-to-moderate climate.

Cold-weather performance: the deciding factor

The single biggest differentiator is how each unit behaves on a frosty morning. CO2 (Reclaim, Sanden) holds its efficiency at low ambient temperatures better than most refrigerants, so the compressor keeps doing the work instead of handing off to the resistive element. In a mild coastal suburb this barely matters; in a cold inland one it can be the difference between a 65% bill cut and a 40% one.

A simple test: if your area regularly drops below 5°C overnight in winter, weight your decision towards the CO2 split units. If your winters are mild, the integrated iStore captures most of the savings for less money.

Running cost compared

All three will dramatically cut your hot-water bill versus electric or gas. In a mild climate, the real-world annual running cost for a family of four lands in a similar ballpark across the three — roughly $150–$300 depending on usage and how much you run on solar. The gap widens in the cold: as temperatures fall, the CO2 units hold efficiency while a less capable unit creeps up in cost by leaning on its element.

So the running-cost case for the premium CO2 units is really a cold-climate case. In Melbourne's bayside or coastal Victoria, the running-cost difference is small; in the high country or frost-prone inland towns, it's meaningful.

How the costs compare after rebates

All three are eligible for the same Victorian and federal rebates (VEU, federal STCs, and the Solar Victoria hot water rebate for eligible households), so the gap narrows once incentives are applied. Before rebates, a premium CO2 split system might be $1,000–$1,500 dearer than an integrated unit; after stacking rebates, the practical difference shrinks — sometimes to a few hundred dollars for an eligible household.

Whether that remaining premium is worth it comes down to two questions: how cold are your winters, and how much do you value quiet operation and a longer expected lifespan? In a cold climate the answer is usually yes; in a mild one, often no.

Warranties — read the fine print

Reclaim / Sanden: expect strong compressor and tank warranties reflecting their premium positioning; confirm the exact years on your chosen model and what's covered (parts, labour, call-out).
iStore: competitive warranty for its price band; check the tank and compressor terms separately.

Across all three, the key is to compare the compressor warranty separately from the tank warranty, and to confirm whether labour and call-out are included or just parts. A longer warranty is also a proxy for how long the manufacturer expects the unit to last.

Honourable mentions

If none of the three fit, also consider Rheem Ambiheat (the widest service network in Australia — valuable if fast local support matters), Chromagen (long Australian history, broad range), and Aquatech Quantum (Australian-made, designed for local conditions). These are worth a quote alongside the big three, especially Rheem if you want easy access to technicians anywhere.

Scenario-based recommendations

Cold-climate family with solar (e.g. Ballarat): Reclaim — best cold-weather efficiency plus the smart solar timer.
Cold-climate, set-and-forget, longevity-focused: Sanden — quiet, reliable, built to last.
Mild/coastal couple or small family on a budget: iStore — captures most of the savings for less.
Anywhere, wants easy local servicing: Rheem Ambiheat.
Big household, high usage: size up the tank (300L+) on whichever brand fits your climate.

What to check in every quote

The after-rebate price, and exactly which rebates are included.
Compressor warranty (separate from the tank), and whether labour is covered.
Rated COP at 5°C, not just 20°C.
Whether removal/disposal, a dedicated circuit/timer and a tempering valve are included.
That the installer will set the solar timer if you have panels.
The noise rating and a sensible location away from bedrooms/boundaries.

FAQ

Are CO2 systems worth the premium everywhere? No — in mild and coastal climates an integrated unit captures most of the savings for less. The premium pays off mainly in cold areas.

Which is quietest? Sanden and Reclaim (split systems) run quieter than the integrated iStore, because the compressor can be mounted away from living areas.

Can any of them run on solar? Yes — all three support daytime operation; Reclaim's controller is the standout for automatically prioritising surplus solar.

Do split systems cost more to install? Yes, modestly — there are refrigerant lines to run and a compressor to mount, so the labour is a little higher than dropping in an integrated unit.

Which has the best resale/longevity reputation? Sanden is renowned for longevity; Reclaim is close behind. Both are built to outlast a typical integrated unit.

Is iStore a "budget" brand? No — it's a well-regarded mid-market unit with smart features. It's just integrated rather than a premium CO2 split, which is why it costs less.

Tank size and household matching

All three offer sizing that maps to household size, and getting this right matters as much as the brand:

1–3 people: ~250L is plenty on any of the three.
Family of four: ~270–300L is the sweet spot — the iStore 270L is a popular fit here, as are the mid-size Reclaim/Sanden tanks.
5+ or heavy users: step up to 300L+ to avoid running out, since heat pumps reheat more slowly than gas instantaneous units.

A common mistake is buying a premium brand but undersizing the tank to save money — then running short on a cold morning and forcing the electric element on, which erodes the efficiency you paid a premium for. Size for your household first, then choose the brand that fits your climate and budget.

Controllers, apps and solar integration

This is where the brands differentiate beyond the hardware:

Reclaim leads on smart control. Its timer/controller is purpose-built to run the compressor during the solar window and can be configured to prioritise surplus generation — the reason solar households gravitate to it. App visibility lets you confirm it's heating when the sun's up.
Sanden offers solid timer control and reliable scheduled operation; it's less about flashy app features and more about quietly doing the job for a decade.
iStore includes smart controls and solar-diversion features at its price point, which is part of why it punches above its weight on value.

For a solar home, the controller is not a nice-to-have — a system that heats in the evening peak instead of midday throws away the single biggest saving. Reclaim's edge here is real; with the others, make sure the installer sets the timer correctly.

Installation day: what to expect

Integrated (iStore): the simplest job — the old system comes out, the all-in-one unit goes in on a suitable pad or bracket, plumbing and power are connected, a tempering valve is fitted if needed. Often a few hours.
Split (Reclaim, Sanden): the tank goes in one place and the compressor mounts on a wall, with refrigerant lines run between them — a bit more labour and a bit more cost, plus a decision about where the compressor sits for airflow and noise.

For all three, confirm the quote includes removal and disposal of the old system, any electrical work (a dedicated circuit or timer), and a tempering valve. If you're switching off gas, capping the gas line and removing the old heater may be line items too.

Total cost of ownership over 10 years

Sticker price is only part of the picture. A rough 10-year view for a family of four (illustrative — your figures will vary):

	Reclaim / Sanden (CO2 split)	iStore (integrated)
Installed, after rebates	~$1,200–$2,200	~$700–$1,500
Running cost over 10 yrs (cold climate)	lower (element rarely used)	slightly higher
Expected lifespan	longer (premium build)	good
Quiet operation	excellent	moderate

In a cold climate, the premium units' lower running cost and longer life can close much of the upfront gap over a decade. In a mild climate, the integrated unit's lower price usually wins on total cost. This is the crux of the decision: climate determines whether the premium pays for itself.

Where they're made and parts/support

Reclaim and iStore are Australian brands (with manufacturing partners abroad) with established local support.
Sanden is a Japanese brand with a long Australian presence and a strong reliability reputation.
For the widest spare-parts and service network, the honourable-mention Rheem is unmatched — worth weighing if fast local servicing anywhere in the country is a priority for you.

Servicing and what can go wrong

All three are reliable, but no hot water system is maintenance-free. Across the brands, the things to stay on top of:

Anode replacement. A sacrificial anode protects the steel tank from corrosion. Checking and replacing it every few years dramatically extends tank life — the single most valuable maintenance task on any of these units.
Airflow and the fan/evaporator. Keep the air intake clear of leaves and debris so the unit breathes freely; restricted airflow drops efficiency.
The element and thermostat. The backup electric element and its thermostat can fail over time, especially if a unit leans on the element a lot (a sign of an undersized or poorly-sited install).
Refrigerant circuit (split units). Reclaim and Sanden's sealed CO2 circuits are robust, but any refrigerant work is a job for a licensed technician under warranty.

Across the three, a service every few years plus an anode check is enough to see out a long life. If a unit starts running constantly or the element kicks in often, get it looked at — it usually points to siting, sizing or a thermostat issue rather than a failed compressor.

Key takeaways

Reclaim — best for cold climates + solar homes; standout smart controller.
Sanden — quietest and longest-lived; premium set-and-forget.
iStore — best value for mild/coastal homes; integrated and feature-rich.
Climate decides the premium: CO2 splits pay off where winters are cold; integrated wins where they're mild.
Size the tank to your household, set the solar timer, and compare on the after-rebate price.

The verdict

There's no single winner — it's about fit. For cold climates and solar homes, Reclaim and Sanden justify their premium, with Reclaim edging ahead on solar smarts and Sanden on quiet reliability. For most other Australian households, iStore delivers excellent value. Get quotes for two of them on the same install scope and compare the after-rebate prices side by side before you commit.

Related guides

This guide is general information only, not financial or product advice. Prices and rebate figures change — always verify current details before purchasing.