Best heat pump and air conditioning experts in Auckland
Updated 21 June 2020
Heat pumps are a clean way to heat your home and serve as a cost-effective alternative to coal fires, fan heaters and underfloor heating. Every week, hundreds of Auckland homes have a heat pump installed. But what are the upfront costs, ongoing costs and pros and cons?
In this guide, we cover:
Know this first - Essential to the efficient running of a heat pump is a well-insulated home. Before shopping around for a heat pump, make sure your home is warm and sealed. Otherwise, your energy efficient heat pump will be working inefficiently for all winter.
Heat pumps are big business – in 2019, government data confirmed over 170,000 new units were sold around New Zealand. Right now, 30% of New Zealand homes have one installed.
In this guide, we cover:
- How much do heat pumps cost?
- Pros and Cons of a Heat Pump
- Top 10 Most Sought-After Auckland Heat Pump Professionals
Know this first - Essential to the efficient running of a heat pump is a well-insulated home. Before shopping around for a heat pump, make sure your home is warm and sealed. Otherwise, your energy efficient heat pump will be working inefficiently for all winter.
Heat pumps are big business – in 2019, government data confirmed over 170,000 new units were sold around New Zealand. Right now, 30% of New Zealand homes have one installed.
How much do heat pumps cost?
There are three significant costs - the unit price and installation (both one-off), and the ongoing costs.
Research from Consumer NZ in 2019 found significant variations in heat pump unit and installation costs.
1. The unit
2. The installation
3. Operating costs
Research from Consumer NZ in 2019 found significant variations in heat pump unit and installation costs.
1. The unit
- The price range is $1,350 to about $6,000
- Most heat pump units installed in Auckland have a 6 kW capacity, but the price of each unit, like any appliance or whiteware, will be influenced by brand, promotions and warranties.
2. The installation
- Consumer estimates a standard installation will cost anywhere from ranging from $750 to $1,350.
- You’ll need an electrician (who will connect the unit to your main circuit) and an installer (who affixes the unit and makes sure everything is installed correctly, as well as being adequately protected from the weather.
3. Operating costs
- Per a recent article in Stuff and guidance from the ECCA, heat pumps are the most efficient way of using electricity to heat your home. This is because they transfer heat from outside air and in this way produce three to four times more warmth (300-400 per cent efficiency).
- In terms of energy usage, for every 5kW of heating, you pay for around 1.5kW of electric energy. In general, heat pump heating is roughly one quarter the cost of electric heating and about one third the cost of gas heating.
- While every heat pump, home and power unit price will be different, the savings over oil-filled heaters can be significant. As an example, for a standard-sized lounge, with insulation and good curtains, heating this to 21 degrees in winter will cost:
- $4.30 per day ($30c/kWh) using an oil heater (total cost per winter month = $129).
- $0.95 per day using a heat pump like the Daikin FTXM50 (total cost per winter month = around $30).
Pros and Cons of a Heat Pump
Heat pumps get a lot of positive media, but are they without drawbacks? We explain the pros and cons below:
Cons
- Energy-efficient – heat pumps produce far fewer carbon emissions than conventional heating such as coal fires. As Auckland chills down for winter and the smell of fires burn, a heat pump is arguably the greenest heating source you can have.
- Easy to install – heat pumps are, in most cases, easy to install. They will need some space outside for the condenser unit, but an experienced heat pump installation professional will find a discreet place to place them.
- Provides aircon – Auckland can have hot summers, so being able to use the unit to cool your living areas can be more efficient than ceiling fans or stand-up fans.
Cons
- Upfront cost - According to a recent article in Stuff, you're unlikely to get any change from $2,300-$3,500, but you "should regain that in electricity savings over time".
- Noise – some heat pumps can be noisy, so selecting a quiet model is wise if you’re sleeping close to the unit.
- Not 100% zero-carbon – unless your electricity source is solar, hydro or wind, the energy used to run a heat pump isn’t completely zero-carbon.
- Not always efficient for smaller spaces – Per a recent article in Stuff, electric heaters are the most cost-effective option to heat small bedrooms and occasionally-used areas, like an office. But in large living spaces, a heat pump that runs at triple the efficiency for a fraction of the cost (as low as 20 per cent compared with other forms of electric heating), will more than pay for itself.
Heat Pumps Frequently Asked Questions
Heat pumps are a big investment, and with such a variety of options it is essential to do your homework. The FAQs below help explain how to find the right unit for your needs.
Which heat pump is right for my home?
Firstly, you need to calculate the space you wish your heat pump to regulate. You'll need to look at the number of windows, your insulation and potential places for installation. Different heat pumps are designed for different sizes and conditions. This avoids a unit being pushed to the limits (when the unit's power is too small for the area) or worn out by turning off and on frequently (when a unit is too big for a small space).
How long does it take to install a heat pump?
In most instances, it will be about 3-6 hours, depending on complications, pipe material and wall material.
How long will a heat pump last, and how long is the warranty?
Quality units can last between 10 to 15 years. It's important to carry out regular maintenance to extend the life as long as possible. A warranty is usually around five years, but some manufacturers offer warranties for up to seven years.
Top 10 Most Sought-After Auckland Heat Pump Professionals
Our list below, which is no particular order, highlights popular Auckland-based heat pump installation specialists. We have selected these based on their history of longstanding service within Auckland, location and data extracted from internet reviews on Google Business, Facebook, TradeMe Services and others.
No heat pump provider has paid to appear on this list, and MoneyHub.co.nz has no relationship with anyone listed below.
No heat pump provider has paid to appear on this list, and MoneyHub.co.nz has no relationship with anyone listed below.
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Absolute Cool LtdAbsolute Cool Ltd provides air conditioning solution to residential and commercial properties in Auckland and Hamilton. They also offer reputable brands of air conditioning and services for their installed units.
What Aucklanders like:
Base: Penrose, Auckland Google Rating: 4.9/5 Contact: 0800 937 2665 or visit Absolute Cool Ltd's website Service Areas: Auckland, Hamilton and other cities (by appointment) |
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Air Conditioning SpecialistsAir Conditioning Specialists is a one-stop air conditioning shop that provides heat pump repair service as well as warranty repairs within the greater Auckland region.
What Aucklanders like:
Services include, but are not limited to:
Base: Auckland Google Rating: Under review Contact: 09 834 6128 or visit the ACS website Service Areas: Greater Auckland region and all nearby suburbs |
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Oxygen AirOxygen Air covers the Auckland and offers small and large heat pump set-ups. It is New Zealand owned and operated with a highly experienced team to provide lasting solutions to your air conditioning and heating needs.
What Aucklanders like:
Services include, but are not limited to:
Google Rating: 4.9/5 Base: Ellerslie, Auckland Contact: 0800 854 085 or visit Oxy Air website Service Areas: Auckland |
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Heat and Cool AirconditioningHeat and Cool is a New Zealand owned and operated business that provides an air conditioning system and heat pump installation service across Auckland.
What Aucklanders like:
Google Rating: 4.9/5 Contact: 09 827 4784 or visit the Heat and Cool website Service Areas: Auckland Wide |
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AES Heat PumpsAuckland Energy Solutions (AES) has a team of registered electricians whose expertise include installation of heat pumps. They are also accredited installers of Ducted AC Systems in Auckland.
What Aucklanders like:
Pricing: Heat pumps and cooler from $1,699 Google rating: 4.7/5 Base: Henderson, Auckland Contact: 0508 237 000 or visit the AES Heat Pumps website Service Areas: Greater Auckland region |
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Kiwi Heat PumpsKiwi Heat Pumps specialise in air conditioning systems and heat pumps, covering different regions in Auckland. They supply and install a wide range of cooling systems for residential and commercial properties.
What Aucklanders like:
Base: North Shore City, Auckland Google Rating: 4.7/5 Contact: 0800 549 443 or visit the Kiwi Heat Pumps website Service Areas: Greater Auckland region |
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Heat Pump GuysHeat Pump Guys offers advice, sales, installation and heat pump maintenance services for residential and commercial properties. They specialise in heat pump installation and ventilation for home and offices.
What Aucklanders like:
Services include, but are not limited to:
Base: Takapuna, Auckland Google Rating: 4.2/5 Contact: 0800 003 785 or visit the Heat Pump Guys website Service Areas: Greater Auckland area |
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Varcoe Airconditioning and Heat PumpsVarcoe Air Conditioning and Heating have been operating since 1975 in Papakura, providing installation service of top tier brand of heat pumps and air conditioning units. They have a team of
well-trained industry professionals to ensure proper installations of cooling and heating systems. What Aucklanders like:
Services include, but are not limited to:
Google Rating: 4.8/5 Contact: 0800 088 888 or visit the Varcoe Airconditioning and Heating website Service Areas: Auckland wide |
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Comfort SolutionsComfort Solutions is an Auckland based company that works through from design to installation. They also take care of the regular maintenance of your air conditioning unit regardless if it is Panasonic, Fujitsu or Mitsubishi electric heat pumps.
What Aucklanders like:
Base: Massey, Auckland Google Rating: 4.6/5 Contact: 0800 2 COMFORT or visit the Comfort Solutions website Service Areas: Greater Auckland regions |
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Top Lane TradersTop Lane Traders has been in the industry for more than four years supplying, installing, cleaning and servicing heat pumps around the Auckland area.
What Aucklanders like:
Base: Manukau, Auckland Google Rating: 5/5 Contact: 0211 403 674 or visit the Top Lane Traders website Service Areas: Greater Auckland regions |
Disclaimer: MoneyHub.co.nz has no relationship, financial or otherwise, with any of the heat pump professionals listed on this page. Quotes and final costs for heat pump installation, servicing and running costs will vary, and our pricing guide is for informational purposes only.
