Glenfield was one of the fastest developing areas in New Zealand in the early 1970s. Its population leapt from about 5,700 in 1961 to over 22,000 by 1971 as subdivisions spread after the Harbour Bridge opened, and Glenfield Mall opened in December 1971 to anchor the shops. Marlborough, in the south-east, was built on a former farm in the same years.
Most of those homes were built before insulation became mandatory in 1978, and many have since had walls removed for open-plan living. That creates one large space that a single small unit cannot heat evenly. In Glenfield a larger unit is often the right size, or two units working together, and check insulation before recommending anything.
Common Home Types in Glenfield
Most Glenfield homes are suburban houses from the 1960s and early 1970s, with western Glenfield filled in later and some state housing in the mix. Homes built before 1978 started without insulation unless it was added later, and many have aluminium joinery and open-plan living knocked through. A single small high wall unit often struggles in a large open-plan space, and EECA's installer guide notes that two smaller units or a multi-split can distribute heat better. Rentals also need heating that meets the Healthy Homes capacity for the main living room.
What Glenfield Conditions Mean for Heating
Glenfield is further from the open Gulf than the East Coast Bays, so most outdoor units here see less salt spray. Higher ground near the top of the suburb, at about 83 metres, catches more wind than the streets near Kaipātiki Creek, so units should not face straight into the weather. Winter humidity is high across Auckland, and older homes fog up overnight. Many sections are compact, so we keep outdoor units back from boundaries to meet Auckland Council noise limits.
Heat Pump Services in Glenfield
- Heat Pump Installation Glenfield: Heat pumps supplied and installed by our own team, sized to the room and placed where they heat and cool evenly.
- Air Conditioning Glenfield: Air conditioning for Auckland homes and home offices, including cassette and ceiling-concealed units.
- High Wall Heat Pumps: The most popular heat pump in New Zealand homes: efficient, quiet and quick to install in a lounge or bedroom.
- Multi-Split Heat Pumps: One outdoor unit running several indoor units, so you can heat and cool multiple rooms with less clutter outside.
- Floor Console Heat Pumps: Low-mounted heat pumps for rooms with big windows or no wall space, with gentle heat at floor level.
- Ducted Heat Pumps: Whole-home heating and cooling from a hidden central unit, with discreet outlets and zoning room by room.
- Heat Pump Servicing: A proper service keeps your heat pump efficient, quiet and healthy, and catches small faults before they become expensive.
- Heat Pump Cleaning: A deep clean of the coil, fan and drain that removes the mould and grime a filter wash cannot reach.
- Heat Pump Repairs: Heat pump not heating, leaking water, making noise or showing an error code?
- Heat Pump Replacement: Swap an old, noisy or inefficient heat pump for a modern inverter model, reusing pipework where it is sound.
- Home Ventilation: Ventilation systems that reduce condensation, mould and stale air, especially in Auckland's humid winters.
- Heat Recovery Ventilation: Balanced ventilation that brings in fresh filtered air and recovers heat from the air going out.
- Commercial Air Conditioning: Air conditioning design, installation and maintenance for offices, shops, clinics and light industrial sites.
- Healthy Homes Assessment: Living room heating calculations and compliant heat pump installs for rentals under the Healthy Homes Standards.
Not sure what you need? Size your heat pump, read the heat pump prices guide or book a free in-home assessment in Glenfield.
Working in Glenfield
The highest point, between Colin Wild Place and Chivalry Road, reaches about 83 metres.
Glenfield Mall opened in December 1971 to stop shops sprawling down the length of Glenfield Road.
Our installers are in and around Marlborough Park and Glenfield Mall and the rest of Glenfield most weeks.
Heat Pumps Glenfield FAQs
Why can't my heat pump heat my Glenfield open-plan living area?
Many Glenfield homes from the 1960s and 1970s have had walls removed, so one unit is now heating two or three old rooms. If it is undersized, it runs flat out and still leaves cold corners. A larger unit, a second unit or a multi-split usually fixes it.
Do 1970s Glenfield homes need insulation before a heat pump?
It helps a lot. Insulation only became mandatory in 1978, so many homes started without it. A heat pump will still work, but it needs to be sized for the extra heat loss and will cost more to run.
Can you install a Healthy Homes heat pump in a Glenfield rental?
Yes. We calculate the required capacity for the main living room with the official tool and install a compliant heat pump with a thermostat.
Where should the outdoor unit go on my Glenfield section?
Somewhere sheltered from strong wind, easy to service and away from your neighbours' bedrooms. We check the site and suggest the best spot at the free assessment.