Ducted heat pump cost NZ (2026)

How much does a ducted heat pump cost in NZ?

Expect to pay $8,000–$15,000 for a ducted system in a typical three-bedroom home, and $15,000–$25,000 for a larger home with five or more zones. Those figures are fully installed and include GST. A whole-home system with smart zoning and ventilation added can pass $30,000.

Ducted systems cost more than wall units because most of the price is labour and materials you never see: the indoor unit hidden in the ceiling or under the floor, the insulated ducts, the outlet grilles in every room, the return-air path, and the controller. Two homes with the same floor area can get quotes $8,000 apart once an installer has looked at the roof space.

What does the number of zones do to the price?

Each zone adds a motorised damper, a run of duct and usually a separate temperature control point, so price climbs with zone count. A single-zone ducted system that treats the whole house as one space is the cheapest option, but it heats bedrooms and living areas at the same time, which wastes energy in the evening.

For most families, splitting the house into a living zone and a sleeping zone gets most of the benefit. Going beyond four or five zones makes sense when rooms are used at very different times, such as a home office or a guest wing.

Is ducted cheaper in a new build than a retrofit?

Yes. Installing ducted during a build is almost always cheaper, because ducts go in before the ceiling linings and the outdoor unit position can be planned. Retrofitting the same system into an existing home typically costs 15–30% more, and sometimes $4,000–$8,000 extra in older houses.

The retrofit premium comes from access. A modern home with a trussed roof and a generous ceiling void is straightforward. A villa or bungalow with a low-pitch roof, a skillion ceiling, or a second storey with no clear path for ducts is not. Underfloor installs are possible in homes with enough subfloor clearance, but outlets in the floor suit some rooms better than others. If you are weighing ducted against wall units for an older home, read our guide to ducted vs high-wall in a villa.

What drives the cost of a ducted system?

Access to the ceiling or floor space is the biggest single factor, followed by the number of zones, total duct length, the controller you choose, and whether your switchboard needs work. Brand matters less than most people expect once the install labour is added.

• Ceiling or underfloor access. Crawl space height, roof pitch, insulation that has to be lifted and replaced, and whether the indoor unit can be carried in through a manhole all change the labour hours.
• Duct runs and outlets. Longer runs and more outlets add materials and time. Each room needs a supply outlet, and the design has to move air back to the unit.
• Return air. A return-air grille is usually placed in a hallway. Houses with lots of closed doors may need door undercuts or transfer grilles so air can get back, which adds cost.
• Zoning controls. A basic controller comes with most systems. Upgrading to a smart zone controller with per-room temperature sensing adds roughly $2,500–$4,500 according to Airmax.
• Electrical work. Larger outdoor units need a dedicated circuit. If your switchboard is old or full, budget $500–$2,000 for upgrades.
• Outdoor unit position. A long refrigerant run from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit adds about $50–$80 per metre beyond the standard allowance (Top5.nz).
• Ventilation add-ons. Pairing ducted heating with a heat-recovery ventilation system can add $5,000–$10,000.

How much does a ducted heat pump cost to run?

An average family home running a ducted system through winter might spend around $150–$350 a month on the heat pump, depending on zones in use, insulation, climate and your power price. Running every zone flat out costs far more than heating the living zone in the evening and bedrooms before bed.

Consumer NZ notes that ducted systems are slightly less efficient than wall units, because some heat is lost through the ducts. Good duct insulation, a sensible zone layout and a schedule make a large difference. For the maths behind any heat pump bill, see how much a heat pump costs to run.

Ducted or multi-split: which costs less?

For three or four rooms, a multi-split is usually cheaper up front, at roughly $7,500–$14,000 installed, while ducted in the same home often starts around $12,000–$15,000. Ducted wins on looks and even heat through the whole house, and it is often the better long-term choice for larger homes being heated as a whole.

Our multi-split heat pumps page covers the trade-offs, and the multi-split cost guide has pricing by number of indoor units.

How do you get an accurate ducted quote?

Whoever quotes should visit, inspect the ceiling or subfloor, and give you a written quote that lists the unit model and capacity, number of zones and outlets, controller, electrical work, and any building or making-good work. Ducted quotes that are not itemised are hard to compare.

1. Confirm the rated heating capacity and that it was sized from the rooms, not just floor area.
2. Check where the outdoor unit, indoor unit and return-air grille will go.
3. Ask what zones you get and which rooms share a zone.
4. Ask for duct insulation specs and how outlets are balanced after install.
5. Get the warranty terms in writing, including labour.

Our guide to comparing heat pump quotes has a longer checklist. When you are ready, ask us for a custom quote and hold it to the same checklist, line by line.