The Best Heat Pump and Air Conditioning Experts in Wellington

Updated 23 October 2024

Summary:

Heat pumps are a clean way to heat your home and serve as a cost-effective alternative to wood burners, fan heaters and underfloor heating. Every week, hundreds of Wellington 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 2023, government data confirmed over 240,000 new units were sold around New Zealand. Right now, 38.8% of Wellington 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 Wellington 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 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 wood burners. As Wellington 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 – Wellington 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.

Wellington's Most Trusted Heat Pump Professionals

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

BA Heat Pumps Ltd

Base: Hataitai, Wellington
Hours: Tues to Thur 9am – 4:30pm
Fri 8:30am – 4pm
Sat 9:00am – 1pm
Google Review rating: 4.3/5
Website: BA Heat Pumps Ltd
Facebook Page: BA Heat Pumps Ltd
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 0800 228 844

Customer Feedback:

Quick to respond and take action
Friendly and reasonably priced service, with valuable advice on system efficiency
High standard of installation and work, including complex tasks like induction stove setups
Effective repair services for various issues, including air conditioner leaks

Pros:

Provides a free quote

Cons:

None

Important Must-know Facts and Services:

BA Heat Pumps Ltd is composed of a team of electricians providing heat pump installation, air conditioning, ventilation and electrical solutions to residential and commercial properties
Works with brands such as Toshiba, Fujitsu, and Gree

Get Pumped Heatpumps

Base: Wellington
Hours: Mon to Fri 8am – 4:30pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Get Pumped Heatpumps
Facebook Page: Get Pumped Heatpumps
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 022 308 7818

Customer Feedback:

Reliable performance of the unit with no issues reported after over a year
Clear communication and informative service, especially for clients with limited knowledge
Tidy work area and effective resolution of issues, such as leaking heat pumps
Recommended for new installations and upgrades, with a focus on customer satisfaction

Pros:

Competitive pricing

Cons:

None

Important Must-know Facts and Services:

In the industry since 2016, with over 18 years of experience by the owner and operator
Ongoing maintenance and support are provided to ensure the unit runs well and any questions are answered after installation

HRV Wellington

Base: Ngauranga, Wellington
Hours: Mon to Fri 8am – 5:30pm
Google Review rating: 4.6/5
Website: HRV Wellington
Facebook Page: HRV Wellington
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 0800 478 123

Customer Feedback:

Excellent communication with a professional approach
Installs quickly and neatly
Takes time to explain the system fully
Easy to deal with

Pros:

Uses the unique nanofibre technology to prevent dust, mould spores and allergy particles

Cons:

Delayed email responses to customer enquiries

Important Must-know Facts and Services:

Voted New Zealand’s most trusted home ventilation brand by Reader’s Digest from 2022-2024, reflecting a commitment to healthier homes

Smart Air Solutions Ltd

Base: Porirua, Wellington
Hours: Mon to Fri 8:00am – 4:30pm
Google Review rating: 4.7/5
Website: Smart Air Solutions Ltd
Facebook Page: Smart Air Solutions Ltd
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 04 233 6161

Customer Feedback:

Quick and helpful responses to service requests
Professional and tidy installation, with strong attention to detail
Thorough and professional cleaning and maintenance
Offers significant savings with cost-effective solutions
Friendly and knowledgeable staff with great communication
Quick response times and effective solutions

Pros:

Achieved 98.7% approval rating from 80 authenticated reviews on nocowboys.co.nz
As an independent heat pump and air conditioning supplier, Smart Air Solutions can design and offer a tailored solution to meet your specific needs
Serves both residential and commercial spaces

Cons:

Closed on weekends

Important Must-know Facts and Services:

Provides heat pump maintenance services
Offers rental portable units for flexible heating solutions
Smart Air Solutions has been a family-owned business since 2008

Future Air Solutions

Base: Petone, Lower Hutt
Hours: Mon to Fri 8am – 5pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Future Air Solutions
Facebook Page: Future Air Solutions
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 04 595 4648

Customer Feedback:

Goes the extra mile to meet the client's exact requirements
Prioritizes and understands clients, providing helpful suggestions and thorough assessments
Professional installation with excellent communication and high-quality workmanship

Pros:

Accredited dealer and installer for all major brands
Offers the maximum warranty from the suppliers

Cons:

None

Important Must-know Facts and Services:

Highly recommended for both residential and commercial air conditioning and ventilation work
A locally-owned business and all partners in the industry are highly skilled

Abode Air Conditioning Ltd

Base: Alicetown, Lower Hutt
Hours: Mon to Thur 8:30am – 4:30pm
Fri 8:30am – 4pm
Google Review rating: 4.5/5
Website: Abode Air Conditioning Ltd
Facebook Page: Abode Air Conditioning Ltd
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 04 589 9752

Customer Feedback:

Professional and knowledgeable service, with technicians arriving on time and working in various conditions
Quick response times, including prompt service around holidays
Thorough and informative service, with clear explanations and effective results
High-quality repairs and maintenance, with additional services like painting for aesthetic improvement
Friendly and genuine customer service, with detailed quotes and good after-sales support

Pros:

Abode Air Conditioning can manage projects from residential heat pumps to large commercial systems
Provides Code of Compliance certificates for the Wellington/Kāpiti area and issues Warrants of Fitness for buildings

Cons:

None

Important Must-know Facts and Services:

They have an Independently Qualified Person (IQP) who is authorised to provide Warrants of Fitness certificates
Supplies and professionally installs Daikin and Mitsubishi heat pump systems for both home and office use, including split systems, super multisystems, and ducted systems

Wasabi Air

Base: Tawa, Wellington
Hours: Mon to Fri 8am – 4:30pm
Google Review rating: 4.1/5
Website: Wasabi Air
Facebook Page: None
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 04 499 4602

Customer Feedback:

Maintains great communication
Offers excellent advice regarding the system to be installed
Excellent customer service
Fast turn around time
Informative about various heat pump solutions that the clients can choose from

Pros:

Accepts interest-free loans available from ANZ, Westpac & BNZ

Cons:

Not servicing during the weekends
Closes early on weekdays

Important Must-know Facts and Services:

Wasabi Air is a family-owned business operating throughout the Wellington Region since 2006

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⚠️ 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.