Heat pump installation in NZ: what's involved and what it costs

Installing a heat pump looks simple from the outside: a box on the wall inside, a box on the ground outside, and a pipe between them. The quality of the job lives in the details you don't see, like how the pipe is flared and pressure-tested, whether the outdoor unit can breathe, and whether the electrical work is certified. This page explains what a proper installation includes, who is allowed to do it and what it costs. It's the standard we hold contracted installers to, and the standard to hold any installer to.

What does a heat pump installation include?

A complete installation covers the indoor unit, the outdoor unit and its bracket or stand, insulated copper refrigerant pipes, a condensate drain, a dedicated electrical connection, pressure and leak testing, evacuating air and moisture from the pipes, and commissioning. It should finish with a walkthrough of the controls.

• Site assessment. Measuring the room, checking insulation, windows and ceiling height, and agreeing where both units go.
• Indoor unit. Mounted level on a solid fixing, high enough for airflow and clear of curtains and furniture.
• Outdoor unit. On a ground stand, wall bracket or roof mount, with clearance for airflow and servicing and away from bedroom windows where possible.
• Refrigerant pipework. Insulated copper lines run through the wall and, where needed, in cover trunking outside.
• Condensate drain. A line that carries water from the indoor unit to a suitable outlet.
• Electrical connection. Usually a dedicated circuit from the switchboard, installed and certified by a registered electrician.
• Testing and commissioning. Pressure testing, vacuuming the pipes, releasing refrigerant, and checking the unit heats and cools as it should.

If a quote leaves any of these out, ask why. Our heat pump installation process guide walks through each stage in more depth.

Who is allowed to install a heat pump in NZ?

Two kinds of qualified work are involved. The refrigerant side should be done by a technician who holds refrigerant handling certification, and the electrical connection must be done or supervised by a registered electrical worker who issues a Certificate of Compliance. A handyman install without both is a risk to your safety and warranty.

Refrigerants in heat pumps are greenhouse gases and are controlled under NZ law, including the Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996 and its regulations. In practice the trade uses industry refrigerant handling licences and certificates to show a technician is trained to charge, recover and handle these gases. Ask your installer what refrigerant certification their technicians hold.

For the electrical work, ask for the electrician's name and registration number, then look them up on the Electrical Workers Registration Board public register. Keep the Certificate of Compliance with your house records. Many installation firms employ both refrigeration technicians and electricians, while others subcontract the wiring. Either is fine if the paperwork is in order. On our jobs, a contracted installer does the electrical and refrigerant work, and the Certificate of Compliance should be handed over at the end. Whoever does the work, ask for names and check the register. Our guide to choosing a heat pump installer lists the questions to ask.

Do I need council consent to install a heat pump?

Most home heat pump installations don't need a building consent. You still have to meet the Building Code and your council's district plan, which often limits noise at the property boundary. Heritage homes, apartments and units under a body corporate may need extra permission.

• Noise. District plans set noise limits at the boundary, usually stricter at night. Where the outdoor unit goes and how loud the model is both matter. Check your council's district plan or ask the installer.
• Apartments and unit titles. Mounting an outdoor unit on common property or an exterior wall usually needs body corporate approval first.
• Heritage and character areas. Visible outdoor units on protected facades can trigger planning rules. Ask the council before you commit to a position.
• Structural fixings. Large roof or wall mounts must be fixed to suit the load. A good installer will tell you if a position isn't suitable.

MBIE's guidance on building work that doesn't need a building consent explains the general rules. For noise and placement, read heat pump noise, placement and council rules.

What happens on installation day?

A single high-wall install usually takes most of a working day. Multi-split and ducted jobs take longer, often several days for ducted retrofits. The steps below are the typical order for a single unit.

How much does heat pump installation cost?

In 2026, a single high-wall heat pump costs about $2,500–$3,500 installed for a small room and $3,200–$4,800 for a living area. Multi-split systems cost about $5,000–$12,000 and ducted systems $8,000–$25,000. Longer pipe runs add roughly $50–$80 a metre.

Replacing an existing unit can cost less if the pipe route can be reused, or more if old pipe must come out. See heat pump replacement cost. Eligible homeowners can also get up to 90% of the cost covered, capped at $3,450, through Warmer Kiwi Homes.

Which type of heat pump should I install?

For one room, a high-wall split is the usual choice because it's the cheapest and simplest to install. A floor console suits rooms without wall space up high. To heat several rooms, compare a multi-split with a ducted system, which hides the indoor unit in the ceiling or under the floor.

• High-wall split: one indoor unit, one outdoor unit. Best value for a living area or bedroom.
• Floor console: sits low on the wall, useful under windows or where high-wall space is limited.
• [Multi-split](/multi-split-heat-pumps): one outdoor unit serving two to five indoor units in different rooms.
• [Ducted](/ducted-heat-pumps): a concealed indoor unit sends warm air through ducts to vents in several rooms.

Not sure what size you need? Try our heat pump size calculator.

How does buying a heat pump install from you work?

For a standard high-wall install, use the size calculator to find the package your room needs (Small room, Living area or Large open plan), then book your install with a refundable NZ$200 deposit. The installer's site check confirms the price before you commit, and the deposit is refundable until you accept. Ducted and multi-split jobs need a custom quote. You can also email hello@nz-heat-pumps.co.nz.

We size the room, sell one fixed installed price and manage the job. A contracted installer does the electrical and refrigerant work. Read more about us and how it works. If you're weighing our price against other quotes, our checklist on how to compare heat pump quotes works for any price, including ours.

Do you install heat pumps in my area?

Not yet. We're contracting installers region by region, so bookings are on a waitlist until an installer is in place for your area. Join the waitlist and we'll let you know when yours opens. Our local pages cover each area's climate, housing, typical system choices and council notes:

• North Island: Auckland, Whangārei, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Napier & Hastings, Palmerston North and Wellington.
• South Island: Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, Central Otago and Invercargill.

Or see the installation hub for the full process.