- Standard home installed
- $8,000–$15,000 NZ 2026
- Large home, 5+ zones
- $15,000–$25,000 NZ 2026
- Visible parts inside
- Vents and a controller No wall units
- Efficiency
- Slightly lower Than split systems, due to duct losses
Ducted heat pumps are the whole-home option. Instead of a unit on the wall in each room, one concealed indoor unit and one outdoor unit heat and cool the house through a network of insulated ducts. They're common in new builds and larger homes, and increasingly asked about by owners of older homes who want even heat without wall units. They cost more than any other heat pump type, so it pays to understand the trade-offs.
How does a ducted heat pump work?
The outdoor unit extracts heat from the outside air and pumps it through refrigerant pipes to an indoor fan unit hidden in the roof space or under the floor. That unit blows warm air along insulated ducts to vents in each room, and draws air back through a return grille.
Consumer NZ describes ducted systems as having the least visual impact of any heat pump, but being slightly less efficient than split systems because some heat is lost through the ducts, and expensive to install. You control the system from a wall controller or an app rather than a remote for each room.
How much does a ducted heat pump cost in NZ?
A ducted heat pump for a standard NZ home costs about $8,000–$15,000 installed, with a typical price near $12,000. Large homes with five or more zones cost about $15,000–$25,000. Retrofitting an existing house usually costs more than installing during a new build.
| Job | Typical | Usual range |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted, standard home | $12,000 | $8,000–$15,000 |
| Ducted, large home (5+ zones) | $20,000 | $15,000–$25,000 |
| Ducted service visit | From ~$375 | Varies by system size |
Sources: Top5.nz, August 2026; Varcoe 2026 quotes roughly $8,000–$15,000+ for ducted whole-home systems.
Most of the cost is ductwork and labour rather than the unit itself. The number of rooms, the length of duct runs, zoning controls and access to the roof space or subfloor drive the final price. Our ducted heat pump cost guide breaks these factors down.
Is a ducted heat pump worth it?
A ducted system is worth considering if you want to heat most of the house, you dislike the look of wall units, and your home has the roof or subfloor space for ducts. If you only need to heat one or two rooms, high-wall or multi-split units deliver the same warmth for far less money.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Heats many rooms from one system | Highest upfront cost of any heat pump type |
| Only vents and a controller are visible | Slightly less efficient than split systems because of duct losses |
| Even, gentle heat through the house | Needs roof or subfloor space for the indoor unit and ducts |
| Zoning can switch unused rooms off | Retrofits in finished homes can be disruptive and dearer |
| One outdoor unit instead of several | A fault can leave the whole house without heat |
If you're weighing it against a multi-split, read our multi-split heat pumps page. Owners of villas and bungalows should also see ducted vs high-wall for your villa.
Can a ducted heat pump be retrofitted into an existing NZ home?
Often, yes. The installer needs somewhere to put the indoor unit and a route for ducts, usually a roof space with enough height or an accessible subfloor. Homes with skillion roofs, tight ceiling cavities or concrete slabs with no roof access are harder and cost more.
Before quoting, a good installer will get into the roof space or under the house to check clearance, insulation and where the vents and return air grille can go. Ask them to show you the proposed vent positions on a floor plan. In a new build, ducts go in before the ceilings are lined, which is simpler and usually cheaper, so raise ducted heating with your builder early.
What is zoning on a ducted heat pump?
Zoning splits the ducted system into areas you control separately, such as living areas and bedrooms. Motorised dampers open or close the ducts, so you only heat the rooms in use. Zoning adds to the upfront cost but can cut running costs and improve comfort.
A common setup is a day zone for the kitchen and living areas and a night zone for bedrooms. Some systems add temperature sensors in each zone for better control. Ask how many zones are included in each quote, because this is one of the easiest places for prices to differ.
What size ducted heat pump do I need?
Ducted systems are sized for the whole area they heat, so they're larger than single-room units, often 10 kW or more for a family home. The right size depends on floor area, insulation, glazing, ceiling height and your climate, so it should come from an installer's heat-loss assessment rather than a rule of thumb.
Colder places need more capacity. The same house needs a bigger system in Christchurch or Dunedin than in Auckland. Consumer NZ estimates a 10 kW or larger unit costs about $1,000 a year to run, and our running costs guide shows how to test your own hours and power price.
How do I look after a ducted heat pump?
Clean or replace the return air filter regularly, keep vents and the return grille clear, and book professional servicing. A ducted service starts at around $375, and the technician checks the indoor unit, ducts, drain, outdoor unit and refrigerant performance.
See heat pump servicing for what a service should include.
Frequently asked questions
How much does ducted heating cost in NZ?
About $8,000–$15,000 installed for a standard home, and $15,000–$25,000 for a large home with five or more zones, based on 2026 NZ price guides.
Are ducted heat pumps less efficient?
Slightly. Consumer NZ notes ducted systems lose some heat through the ducts, making them a little less efficient than split systems. Good duct insulation and zoning help reduce the gap.
Can I get a ducted heat pump in a house with no roof space?
Sometimes, if there's an accessible subfloor for the indoor unit and ducts to floor vents. Homes with neither roof nor subfloor access are usually better suited to multi-split or high-wall units.
Is ducted or multi-split better?
Ducted hides everything and heats many rooms evenly, but costs more and needs ceiling or floor space. Multi-split is usually cheaper and easier to retrofit, but you see a unit in each room.
Does a ducted heat pump cool as well as heat?
Yes. Ducted heat pumps reverse to cool the house in summer through the same ducts and vents.
Does Warmer Kiwi Homes fund ducted heat pumps?
The Warmer Kiwi Homes heat pump grant is capped at $3,450, which covers a much smaller share of a ducted system. Check eligibility and what's funded with EECA before planning around it.