Both are Italian-engineered Maxa hydronic heat pumps, both VIPAC-certified for Australia — but they suit different builds. Here's how the i-290 and i-32V5 compare on refrigerant, COP, output and climate, and how AHHAC chooses between them.
ImmergasSimeThermaSkirt™| Maxa i-290 (R290) | Maxa i-32V5 (R32) | |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerant | R290 (GWP 3) | R32 (GWP 675) |
| Functions | Heat · Cool · DHW · Chilled water | Heat · Cool |
| Heating COP | Up to 4.94 | Up to 4.9 |
| Output range | 6 – 27 kW (3 chassis) | 6.1 – 17.9 kW (11 chassis) |
| Hot water max | 78 °C | — |
| Cold-climate rating | −25 °C ambient | −15 °C ambient |
| Sizing granularity | 3 sizes | 11 sizes (tightest fit) |
| AU certification | VIPAC + QLD Type B Gas | VIPAC |
| Best for | All-in-one, low-GWP, cold climate | Budget, precise sizing, heat + cool |
Indicative best-case manufacturer ratings; AHHAC sizes and quotes to your heat-loss calculation.
…you want one unit to do everything (heating, cooling, hot water and chilled water), you're building in a cold climate (Canberra, Blue Mountains, cold Melbourne), or you want the lowest-GWP, most future-proof refrigerant. It's the flagship — highest COP, hot water to 78 °C, rated to −25 °C.
→ Maxa i-290 heat pump…budget is the priority, you need heating and cooling (not on-board hot water), or you want the tightest possible sizing — its 11 chassis sizes from 6.1 to 17.9 kW fit closely to a heat-loss figure, avoiding an oversized unit. Ideal for milder Sydney and Brisbane loads.
→ Maxa i-32V5 heat pumpBecause we carry both, the choice comes down to your build — not our stock. We start with a heat pump hydronic heating heat-loss calculation, then weigh climate (cold sites → i-290), whether you need on-board hot water and chilled water (yes → i-290), budget (tight → i-32V5) and sizing precision (i-32V5's 11 sizes). For a wider view across brands, see our Maxa vs Viessmann vs Immergas comparison, or read the full heat pump hydronic heating guide.