Heat Pump Brands NZ

This guide explains how to compare heat pumps on the points that matter, how to read the Zoned Energy Rating Label and what to expect from the main brands sold in NZ. When you are ready, a free in-home assessment turns this into a specific recommendation for your rooms.

The Main Heat Pump Brands in New Zealand

Get the size right first

Consumer NZ calls heating capacity the most important specification. An undersized heat pump struggles on cold nights, and an oversized one wastes energy, cycles on and off and costs more to buy. Gen Less also stresses choosing the right-sized heat pump for the space and having a good supplier assess your home.

Size depends on floor area, ceiling height, insulation, glazing and orientation. Mitre 10's guide suggests 2.5 to 3.5 kW for rooms up to 20 square metres and 5 to 7 kW for 40 to 60 square metres, as a starting point. Consumer NZ notes sizing tables usually assume 2.4 metre ceilings, so rooms with higher ceilings need more capacity. Try our heat pump size calculator for an estimate.

Read the Zoned Energy Rating Label

Since 1 July 2021, new residential heat pumps sold in NZ carry the Zoned Energy Rating Label. It gives separate star ratings out of 10 for heating and cooling across three climate zones. New Zealand sits in the cold zone, so that is the row to read.

The label also shows annual energy use in kWh for each zone, heating capacity at 7 and 2 degrees outside, and indoor and outdoor noise in dBA where the supplier provides it. Lower kWh means lower running costs. Consumer NZ suggests looking for a model whose heating output at 2 degrees is close to its output at 7 degrees, and notes star ratings only compare models of similar capacity.

• Use the cold zone (bottom row) ratings for New Zealand
• Compare annual kWh between models of similar capacity
• Check heating output at 2 degrees, not just 7 degrees
• Check the outdoor noise figure if the unit sits near bedrooms or neighbours

Efficiency and running costs

Consumer NZ considers a heating COP of 3 or more good and an EER of 3 or more efficient for cooling.

The Gen Less Efficient Appliance Calculator covers hundreds of heat pump models sold in NZ and lets you compare running costs by region. Consumer NZ's own testing covers more than 300 models from 13 brands, and its member results are worth checking before you buy.

Noise

Indoor noise matters most in bedrooms, where a quiet low fan setting helps you sleep. Outdoor noise matters for you and your neighbours. Auckland Council warns that poorly installed heat pumps can exceed noise limits, particularly at night, and advises placing the outdoor unit as far from property boundaries as possible.

Compare the dBA figures on the energy label where they are shown, but remember placement makes a big difference too. A unit in a corner or a narrow gap between houses will sound louder than the same unit in open space.

Features worth paying for

Wifi control is usually an optional extra. Consumer NZ recommends it if the upgrade is not too expensive, because it lets you use timers and switch the unit on from your phone before you get home.

Dry mode removes some moisture, which helps in humid Auckland homes, though Consumer NZ notes a heat pump cannot heat and dehumidify at the same time. Other useful features include better filters, a weekly timer, quiet modes for bedrooms and motion or presence sensors that adjust airflow. For rentals, heat pumps must have a thermostat to meet the Healthy Homes heating standard.

• Wifi control and app timers
• Dry or dehumidify mode
• Quiet or night mode for bedrooms
• Weekly timer and set-back temperatures
• Upgraded filters for dust and allergens

Warranty and service network

Warranty terms vary by brand and some depend on who installs the unit. Read the manufacturer's warranty document, check whether it covers parts and labour, and ask whether it requires installation or servicing by an accredited or certified installer.

A heat pump will need servicing and occasionally a repair over its life, so local support matters. Choose a brand with parts and technicians available in your area, and an installer who will still be around to service it. We service all major brands, and a regular heat pump service helps keep a warranty claim straightforward.

Best Heat Pumps FAQs