Ducted Heat Pump Cost NZ: Price, Running and Zones

Quick answerA ducted heat pump typically costs around $8,000 to $15,000 installed according to Rinnai's NZ guide, while Sustainability Trust says most Wellington projects run $12,000 to $22,000 or more including GST. The size of the house, the number of zones, ceiling or subfloor access and the unit's capacity decide where you land. Running costs depend mostly on how many rooms you heat and for how long.

Warm, comfortable Auckland living room heated by a heat pump system

Ducted systems are the quiet luxury of home heating: one hidden indoor unit, a discreet grille in each room and nothing on the walls. They are also the most expensive way to heat a house, so the real question is not just what they cost, but whether whole-home heating beats putting a heat pump in the rooms you actually use.

This guide covers published ducted heat pump prices, running costs, zoning, lifespan and the retrofit question, including when ducting an existing villa is simply not worth it.

How much does a ducted heat pump cost in NZ?

Most published NZ figures put a ducted heat pump between about $8,000 and $22,000 installed, depending on the house and the source. Rinnai's November 2023 guide cites around $8,000 to $15,000 for a whole-home system, and Sustainability Trust says most of its Wellington projects fall between $12,000 and $22,000 or more including GST.

Sustainability Trust's worked example is useful: a 100 square metre, three bedroom house, heating every room except the bathroom and hallways, would likely start around $15,000 including GST. Bigger homes, more outlets, high ceilings and tighter roof spaces push the price up. These are third-party figures, not our prices.

Published figure	Range	Source
Whole-home ducted, installed	Around $8,000 to $15,000	Rinnai, Nov 2023
Typical Wellington project	$12,000 to $22,000+ incl. GST	Sustainability Trust
100 m2, three bedroom example	From around $15,000 incl. GST	Sustainability Trust
Single high wall, for comparison	$2,000 to $4,000	Rinnai, Nov 2023

How much does a ducted heat pump cost to run?

A ducted system costs more to run than a single wall unit because it heats more of the house, but less per room than plain electric heaters. Sustainability Trust says ducted running costs are often close to running one or two standard electric heaters, while heating the whole house.

Two things decide your bill. The first is how many rooms are on at once and for how long, which is where zoning pays for itself. The second is efficiency. Consumer NZ notes ducted systems are slightly less efficient than wall units because some heat is lost through the ducts, so duct insulation and a well-sealed ceiling matter. Gen Less suggests a setting of 18 to 21 degrees, and every degree above that adds to the bill.

Ducted vs high wall heat pumps: which is better?

Ducted is better for even, whole-home comfort with nothing on the walls, while high wall units are better value when you only need two or three rooms warm. Neither is better in every house.

Consumer NZ describes ducted systems as having the least visual impact of any heat pump, but expensive to install. High wall heat pumps cost far less per room and are the most efficient way to heat a single space. A multi-split sits in between: several indoor units on one outdoor unit, though Consumer NZ notes all indoor units on one outdoor unit must run in the same mode.

	Ducted	Room-by-room high wall
Upfront cost	Highest	Lowest per room
Looks	Grilles only, unit hidden	Visible unit in each room
Efficiency	Slightly lower, duct losses	Higher per room
Control	Zones from one controller	Each room separate
Best for	Whole-home heating, new builds, renovations	Heating the rooms you use most

Ducted or room by room?

Cheeky's Heat Pumps will check your roof space and rooms and price both options, so you can see the real difference before you decide.

0800 432 878 Book Online Get a quote

Can a ducted heat pump heat different zones?

Yes. Zoning uses motorised dampers in the ductwork to open or close airflow to groups of rooms, so you can heat the living areas in the evening and the bedrooms at night without running the whole house.

Zoning is one of the biggest running-cost levers on a ducted system, because you only pay to heat occupied rooms. Some systems offer room-by-room temperature sensing rather than simple on and off zones, which costs more upfront but keeps sunny and shaded rooms more even. When Cheeky's Heat Pumps designs a ducted system, we plan zones around how you live rather than floor plan symmetry: living areas, bedrooms and any home office are the usual split.

The total capacity still has to suit the whole house at Auckland's design temperature, which EECA's installer guide lists as 1 degree for the Auckland Council area.

How long do ducted heat pumps last?

Expect a similar life to other heat pumps, typically 10 to 15 years, with the ductwork itself often lasting longer than the indoor and outdoor units. Consumer NZ puts heat pump life expectancy at 10 to 15 years.

Maintenance has a big effect. The return air filter needs regular cleaning, and a yearly service should check the coil, drain, condensate pump and ducts. Ducted systems often need a condensate pump when the indoor unit sits in the roof, and a failed pump can leak into the ceiling, so it is worth having it checked during regular heat pump servicing. When the units reach the end of their life, sound ductwork can often be reused, which brings the replacement cost down.

Can a ducted heat pump go into an existing house?

Often, yes, as long as there is enough roof or subfloor space to run the ducts. Sustainability Trust says installation is easiest where there is good roof or ceiling space, and that homes on piles with an accessible crawl space can be ducted from below.

Where it gets expensive is in homes with tight, low-pitched roofs, multiple ceiling levels or a lot of rooms spread along a hallway. In older villas the maths often favours room-by-room units: in Parnell, for example, steep sites and 1920s bay villas mean long, sloping runs and awkward ceiling spaces, and two or three well-placed wall units can heat the rooms people use for a fraction of the cost.

New builds are the easy case. In new subdivisions around Takanini, such as Addison and Longford Park, ducting is simplest to plan before the ceilings go on. Takanini also sits on peat, so the outdoor unit needs a firm, level base or a wall bracket.

How do you get an accurate ducted heat pump quote?

Get a quote based on a heat load calculation for each room and a look in the roof space or subfloor. A ducted price given without anyone checking access is a guess.

A good quote lists the indoor and outdoor model numbers, total capacity, number of outlets and zones, duct type and insulation, controller, condensate arrangements and electrical work. Cheeky's Heat Pumps checks the roof space and measures every room before quoting a ducted system, and will tell you straight if separate wall units would serve you better. You can book a free assessment to get a fixed price for your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ducted heat pumps also cool the house?

Yes. Like other reverse-cycle heat pumps, a ducted system cools in summer through the same outlets. Ceiling outlets suit cooling well because cool air drops as it mixes. If summer cooling matters to you, check the cooling capacity and cooling stars as well as the heating figures.

Are ducted heat pumps noisy?

The indoor unit sits in the roof or under the floor, so you mainly hear airflow at the grilles. Well-sized ducts and outlets keep that quiet. Noise problems usually come from undersized ductwork forcing air through too fast, or from an outdoor unit placed close to bedrooms or a neighbour's boundary.

Can I add a ducted system during a renovation?

A renovation is one of the best times, especially if ceilings or floors are already open. Plan the indoor unit position, duct runs and outlet locations with your builder early, and allow space for the condensate drain. Retrofitting after the linings are finished costs more and limits outlet positions.

Is a ducted heat pump worth it in a small house?

Usually not on cost alone. In a small home, one or two well-placed wall units can heat the living areas and bedrooms for much less. Ducted makes more sense in larger homes, homes with many rooms, or where nothing on the walls is a firm priority.

Do ducted systems need consent?

Auckland Council says most residential heat pump installations do not need building consent. A licensed electrician must still connect the system and issue a certificate. Large renovations that include the ducted system may be covered by the renovation's own consent, so check with your builder.