Heat Pump Installation Cost NZ 2026

Quick answerRinnai's NZ guide puts a high wall heat pump at $2,000 to $4,000 including installation, and a ducted whole-home system at around $8,000 to $15,000. Where your install lands inside those ranges depends on the unit's capacity, how far the pipes have to run, wall type, access and any electrical work. A fixed price needs someone to look at the actual room and the actual wall.

Two installers unloading a new heat pump outdoor unit from a van in Auckland

Heat pump prices vary more than most people expect. Two homes on the same street can get very different quotes for the same model, because one is a simple job through a timber wall and the other needs a long pipe run under the floor, a bracket on the second storey and a new circuit at the switchboard. This guide sets out the published ranges we can source, explains what moves the price, and shows you how to compare heat pump installation quotes like for like.

The figures below come from third parties and are attributed to them. They are not our prices, just a way to tell whether a quote is normal or an outlier.

How much does a heat pump cost to install in NZ?

Most single-room installs in NZ sit between $2,000 and $4,000 for a high wall unit supplied and installed, according to Rinnai's November 2023 cost guide. Ducted systems that heat the whole house cost several times more because they need a larger indoor unit, ductwork and an outlet in each room.

High wall heat pumps are the cheapest type to install because the indoor unit is light, the outdoor unit usually sits close by and the pipe run is short. Floor consoles and multi-split systems do not have a reliable published NZ range, so treat any figure you see for those as a quote for one specific home. We keep a longer breakdown of published figures on our heat pump prices page.

Published ranges are national. Access in older Auckland suburbs and the time spent getting pipes through solid walls push real quotes around inside those bands.

System type	Published installed range	Source
High wall split (one room)	$2,000 to $4,000	Rinnai, Nov 2023
Ducted whole home	Around $8,000 to $15,000	Rinnai, Nov 2023
Ducted, Wellington projects	$12,000 to $22,000+ incl. GST	Sustainability Trust
Multi-split or floor console	No reliable published NZ range	Quote per home

How much is a heat pump for a 4 bedroom house?

A 4 bedroom house usually means choosing between one large unit in the living area, several separate units, a multi-split or a ducted system, and the cost climbs in roughly that order. There is no single price for a house size, because a heat pump is sized to rooms, not to bedrooms.

If you only want the living area warm, one correctly sized high wall unit is the cheapest route and sits in the single-room range above. Adding a unit for each bedroom multiplies that figure, although putting several units in on the same visit saves on travel and setup time. A multi-split runs two or more indoor units off one outdoor unit, which keeps the outside of the house tidier. Consumer NZ notes a multi-split is usually cheaper than buying separate outdoor units for each room, but the longer pipe runs can add installation cost.

For whole-house heating with nothing on the walls, a ducted system is the top of the market. Sustainability Trust gives a 100 square metre, three bedroom example that would likely start around $15,000 including GST, so a larger four bedroom home will usually sit above that.

What affects the price of a heat pump install?

Capacity and pipe length are the two biggest drivers, followed by wall type, access and electrical work. Each one is visible at a site visit, which is why a phone quote is only ever a guess.

Pipe length matters for more than labour. EECA's Good Practice Guide for heat pump installation notes that each 90 degree bend in the refrigerant pipe costs about 1 percent of the unit's capacity, so a tidy, direct run is cheaper and works better. Ground conditions matter too. In Takanini, which sits on peat that geotechnical studies have tracked settling since about 2004, a ground-mounted outdoor unit needs a firm, level base or a wall bracket instead, which adds a little to the job.

Unit capacity in kW and the model's efficiency rating
Pipe length, number of bends and whether pipe covers are needed
Wall type: timber framing is quicker to drill than brick, block or concrete
Height and access: second-storey units, brackets, roof mounts or scaffolding
Electrical work: a dedicated circuit and any switchboard upgrade
Condensate drain route and whether a pump is needed

Want a fixed price, not a range?

Cheeky's Heat Pumps measures your rooms, checks the pipe route and gives you a written quote with the sizing worked out. The assessment is free.

0800 432 878 Book Online Get a quote

Is a back-to-back install cheaper?

Usually yes. A back-to-back install puts the outdoor unit directly behind the indoor unit on the other side of the same wall, so the pipes go straight through and there is little pipe, cover or labour to pay for.

There are limits. EECA's guide notes many high wall units need a minimum pipe length of typically 3 to 5 metres, so a true back-to-back high wall install may still need a coiled loop of pipe, while some floor consoles have no minimum run. The cheapest position is also not always the right one. The same guide says outdoor units should not go under or close to bedroom windows, and Auckland Council noise limits are measured at the boundary. On narrow Ponsonby villa sections, the wall that makes a back-to-back install possible is often the side boundary, so a slightly longer run to a better spot can save a noise complaint later.

If a quote is noticeably cheaper than the others, ask where the outdoor unit is going and why.

How much does it cost to replace an old heat pump?

Replacing an old heat pump usually costs about the same as a new install of the same type, sometimes a little less if the existing pipework is sound and the right size for the new unit. Removal and disposal of the old unit adds a small amount.

Whether the old pipes can be reused depends on their size, condition and the refrigerant the new unit uses, and they need to be pressure tested before use. Brackets and isolators are often worth renewing at the same time, especially near the coast. Much of Devonport sits within about 500 metres of the sea, the zone BRANZ maps as the highest sea spray risk, and salt shortens the life of outdoor unit fixings there.

An old unit that keeps going into defrost, is noisy or needs a repair every winter is often cheaper to replace than to keep fixing. Consumer NZ suggests major faults may not be worth repairing on a heat pump older than seven years, and Cheeky's Heat Pumps will tell you honestly when a repair still makes sense.

Are there heat pump subsidies in NZ?

Yes, for some owner-occupiers. EECA's Warmer Kiwi Homes programme can cover 90 percent of the cost of an eligible heat pump, up to a cap, for lower-income households, and EECA estimates the homeowner pays around $400 to $700.

EECA's eligibility rules are tight. The home must be owned and lived in by the applicant and built before 2008. The applicant needs a Community Services Card or SuperGold Combo card, or must live in an eligible lower-income area. The home must already have ceiling and underfloor insulation to standard, and it cannot already have a qualifying heater in the living area. Only high wall heat pumps are funded, and EECA says funding is limited and installs can take up to four months.

Landlords and most middle-income households are not covered, so it is worth asking any installer about payment options.

How should you compare heat pump quotes?

Compare model numbers, heating capacity in kW and what is included, not just the total. A quote that is much cheaper than the rest often leaves out pipe covers, electrical work or a proper condensate drain.

Check that the capacity suits the room. If one installer recommends 3.5 kW and another 6 kW for the same lounge, ask each one how they worked it out. Auckland Council says most residential heat pump installs do not need building consent, but a licensed electrician must connect the unit and you should get an Electrical Certificate of Compliance, so make sure that is in the price.

At Cheeky's Heat Pumps we measure every room at a free in-home assessment and write the sizing basis on the quote, so you can hold it up against anyone else's. If you would like a fixed price for your home, you can book a free assessment online.

Indoor and outdoor model numbers
Heating capacity in kW at the outdoor temperature that matters
Pipe length included and the cost of extra metres
Electrical connection, certificates and any switchboard work
Warranty terms and who services the unit

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a heat pump install price include GST?

It should, for a homeowner quote, but always check. Some published ranges are GST inclusive and some do not say, and commercial quotes are often shown excluding GST. Ask for the total including GST, the electrical work and the certificates so you are comparing the same thing on every quote.

Do I need building consent to install a heat pump in Auckland?

Usually not. Auckland Council says most residential heat pump installations do not need building consent. The unit still has to be connected by a licensed electrician, and the outdoor unit must be placed so it stays within the council's noise limits at your boundary. Hot water heat pumps are a different case and do need consent.

How long does a heat pump installation take?

A standard single high wall unit is usually installed in one visit. Multi-room jobs, long pipe runs under the house, second-storey brackets and switchboard upgrades add time. Ducted systems take longer again because the ductwork and outlets have to be run through the ceiling or floor.

Is a cheaper heat pump brand worth it?

Sometimes, but compare the energy label and warranty rather than the badge. A cheaper unit with a low heating output at cold temperatures can cost more to run over its life. Consumer NZ says most manufacturers offer five years parts and labour cover, so check what the cheaper model offers.

Will installing a heat pump increase my power bill?

If it replaces plain electric heaters, it usually lowers the cost of heating the same space because heat pumps move heat rather than make it. Consumer NZ estimates a small 2.5 kW unit can cost under $200 a year to run. If you start heating rooms you never heated before, your bill can go up.