The Best Heat Pump and Air Conditioning Experts in Tauranga

Updated 7 May 2023

Summary:

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 Tauranga 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.

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

The price range is $1,350 to about $6,000
Most heat pump units installed in Tauranga 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:

Energy-efficient – heat pumps produce far fewer carbon emissions than conventional heating such as coal fires. As Tauranga 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 – Tauranga 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.

The Most Sought-After Tauranga Heat Pump Professionals

Our list below, which is no particular order, highlights popular Tauranga-based heat pump installation specialists. We have selected these based on their history of longstanding service within Tauranga, location and data extracted from internet reviews on Google Business, Facebook, TradeMe Services and others.

Ultra Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Limited

Base: Otūmoetai, Tauranga
Hours: Mon to Fri 7:30 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5/5
Website: Ultra Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Limited
Facebook page: Ultra Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Limited
Email address: daniel@ultrarefrigeration.co.nz
Phone: 0800 085 872

Customer Feedback:

Makes sure that the installed heat pump does everything their client expected
Able to handle tricky heat pump installations
Cost efficient and effective service
Highly responsive to enquiries
Quick to provide a quotation

Pros:

Services the most widely used brands such as Panasonic, Mitsubishi Electric, Gree and Daikin.

Cons:

None

Important Must-know Facts and Services:

Ultra Refrigeration & Air Conditioning provides heating and cooling solutions to homes and businesses in the Bay of Plenty.
They have an experienced team of trade-qualified Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineers who are based in Tauranga.
Their services include residential heat pump and ducted system installation, hot water heat pumps installation, commercial heat pump installation, ventilation system installation, commercial refrigeration, Building Warrant of Fitness, maintenance and repair of heat pump systems.

Oxygen Air Turanga

Base: Tauriko, Tauranga
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 6 pm
Google Review rating: 4.8/5
Website: Oxygen Air Turanga
Facebook Page: Oxyg en Air Turanga
Email address: office@oxyair.co.nz
Phone: 0800 854 085

Customer Feedback:

Keeps the client informed about everything they do
Quick installation
Works tidily and efficiently
Great client communication
Provides helpful information on how to operate the heat pumps

Pros:

Services residential and light commercial cooling and heating requirements
Uses trusted and known brands only

Cons:

None

Important Must-know Facts and Services:

Oxygen Air Turanga is a heat pump and air conditioning specialist servicing the Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua area
A New Zealand owned and operated business with a large experienced team
Offers premium installation of heat pumps and air conditioning
Accepts services for ducted heating, cooling and light commercial air conditioning

Goldstar Heat Pumps

Base: Tauranga
Hours: Mon to Fri 9 am – 6 pm
Google Review rating: 4.8/5
Website: Goldstar Heat Pumps
Facebook Page: None
Email address: admin@goldstarheatpumps.co.nz
Phone: 0800 864 964

Customer Feedback:

Provides helpful suggestions about the heat pump locations
Polite and respectful of their client’s home
Offers product choices based on the client’s needs and budget
Cleans up before leaving the site
Communicates well
Pleasant and professional staff

Pros:

Unbiased about the brands that they offer
Known for keeping low prices on heat pumps and ultra-tidy installation process

Cons:

Additional costs may occur for tasks outside the initial agreement

Important Must-know Facts and Services:

Goldstar Heat Pumps are specialists based in South Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga
Carries brands such as Fujitsu, Mitsubishi Electric and Daikin
Does heat pump installation and air conditioning installation

Bay Air

Base: Papamoa Beach, Papamoa
Hours: Mon to Fri 8:00am - 4:30pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Bay Air
Facebook Page: Bay Air
Email address: admin@bayair.co.nz
Phone: 0800 800 813

Customer Feedback:

Goes above and beyond to help their clients
Gives the best advice against multiple brands of heat pumps
Excellent and clean installation of heat pumps
Completes their work on time
Knowledgeable about heat pumps
Provides an honest price and works within the budget

Pros:

A subsidiary company of CommElec Group
Guarantees to provide a highly experienced electrical team

Cons:

None

Important Must-know Facts and Services:

Bay Air installs air-conditioning and heat pumps within the Bay of Plenty, including the Tauranga area
Provides a highly experienced electrical team to all home and commercial properties that require cooling solutions
Offers heat pump installation, air conditioning system installation, air condition and heat pump repair

Diamond Air

Base: Mount Maunganui, Tauranga
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
Website: Diamond Air
Facebook Page: Diamond Air
Email address: Not specified
Phone: 07 575 3544

Customer Feedback:

Provides helpful advice on where the units should be installed and how to improve the performance of the unit
Quick to install and finishes on time
Friendly and professional service

Pros:

Promptly provides the quotation

Cons:

None

Important Must-know Facts and Services:

Diamond Air is a heating and cooling solution business that supplies a wide range of heat pump selections and air conditioning brands
Offers services for installation and repair of heat pumps within Tauranga and across the Bay of Plenty

Ecoair Heat Pumps

Base: Papamoa Beach, Papamoa
Hours: Per appointment
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Ecoair Heat Pumps
Facebook Page: Ecoair Heat Pumps
Email address: calum@ecoairheatpumps.co.nz
Phone: 021 114 4136

Customer Feedback:

Professional and easy to work with
Provides high-quality installation
Works around the client’s availability
Ensures that clients are happy with the results
Responsive and timely

Pros:

No unnecessary selling of products

Cons:

None

Important Must-know Facts and Services:

Ecoair Heat Pumps are known to be eco-friendly installers of heat pumps in Tauranga, Papamoa, Mount Maunganui and across the Bay of Plenty
Takes pride in providing a fresh and honest take on heat pump installation, including split systems and ducted central heating systems

Snowden Electrical

Base: Tauranga South, Tauranga
Hours: Mon to Fri 7:30 am – 4 pm
Google Review rating: 4.5/5
Website: Snowden Electrical
Facebook page: None
Email address: info@snowdenelectrical.co.nz
Phone: 07 571 1170

Customer Feedback:

Friendly, diligent and professional staff
Comes over quickly for a quotation
Services are fairly priced
Does a neat job
Excellent customer service from start to finish

Pros:

Member of Master Electricians
Offers a 6-year warranty for Fujitsu installations
Voted by New Zealanders as a trusted brand in the heat pump category
Registered with ECANZ
Offers 24/7 call out service

Cons:

The office is closed during the weekends

Important Must-know Facts and Services:

Snowden Electrical has been operating in the Tauranga region and the Bay of Plenty for more than 36 years.
Their services are home theatre set-up, data cabling, Fujitsu Heat Pumps/Air Conditioning installation and ventilation system installation.

⚠️ Disclaimer: MoneyHub.co.nz has no financial or otherwise relationship with any businesses listed on this page. The pricing information provided is for informational and guidance purposes only and may not accurately represent the actual quotes or final bills for individual services. No provider has paid to appear on our website, and this list should not be considered comprehensive. Please research and obtain quotes directly from a range of businesses to ensure accurate pricing and suitability for your needs.

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