A high wall heat pump is a single split system: one indoor unit mounted high on the wall, connected by refrigerant pipes to one outdoor unit. EECA describes the single split as the most commonly installed residential heat pump in New Zealand, and it is the usual choice for a lounge, open-plan living area or main bedroom.
Most buyers worry about the brand. The decisions that matter more are capacity, noise and efficiency, because those decide whether the room is warm on a cold July night and what the power bill looks like. This page helps you choose. For what happens on install day, see our heat pump installation page.
Pricing: every job starts with a free in-home assessment and a written quote, with a fixed price agreed before any work starts.
When a high wall unit is the right choice
High wall units suit most living rooms and bedrooms. They throw air across the room, keep the floor clear for furniture, and EECA's installer guide notes that high wall and ceiling units tend to cool more effectively than floor units, because cool air drops as it mixes. They are also usually the simplest and least expensive heat pump to install.
They are less suited to rooms with no clear wall above head height, rooms with floor-to-ceiling glass, or older users who want filters within easy reach. In those cases a floor console heat pump is worth comparing. If you want three or more rooms heated without three outdoor units, look at multi-split heat pumps instead.
What size high wall heat pump do you need?
Heat pumps are sold by kW. Every model has a heating capacity and a lower cooling capacity, so check the heating figure for winter comfort. As a rough guide, Mitre 10 publishes these bands for a room with standard ceilings: up to 20 m2 about 2.5 to 3.5 kW; 20 to 40 m2 about 3.5 to 5 kW; 40 to 60 m2 about 5 to 7 kW; over 60 m2, consider a multi-split or ducted system.
Real homes move those numbers. High or raked ceilings, single glazing, south-facing rooms and missing underfloor insulation all push the need up. EECA's guide also tells installers to size for the capacity the unit delivers at the local design temperature, which it lists as 1 degree for the Auckland Council area, not the brochure figure. It warns that an undersized unit costs more to run and defrosts more often, while a significantly oversized one short-cycles, feels draughty and is noisier.
Our heat pump size calculator gives a quick estimate. At the free assessment we measure the room properly and show you the figures.
How It Works
Noise: indoors and out
Consumer NZ lists noise as one of the five most common buying mistakes: a loud indoor fan has you turning up the TV, and a loud outdoor unit can annoy you and the neighbours at night. Manufacturers publish sound levels in decibels for each fan speed on their specification sheets. When comparing models of the same capacity, look at the lowest and highest indoor figures and the outdoor figure, and remember that an undersized unit will spend more time on high fan.
For bedrooms, a model with a quiet fan setting is worth having. Outdoors, placement does as much as the model: we keep units away from bedroom windows and boundaries and mount them on anti-vibration pads.
Efficiency, running costs and energy labels
Every heat pump sold in New Zealand carries the Zoned Energy Rating Label. EECA explains that it rates heating and cooling separately, out of 10 stars, and shows estimated annual energy use for hot, average and cold climate zones. Use the figures for the zone the label's map places Auckland in. Only compare stars between units of similar capacity.
Consumer NZ suggests a heating efficiency (COP) of 3 or more is good. As a guide to running costs, it estimates a small 2.5 kW unit can cost below $200 a year and a very large unit of 10 kW or more around $1,000, depending on use and your power price. Using it well matters too: Gen Less recommends 18 to 21 degrees, and EECA advises Heat mode rather than Auto in winter.
Features worth paying for in Auckland
Some features earn their keep in a humid city. Others are marketing. Here is how we see them.
- Wi-Fi control: Consumer NZ recommends it if the upgrade is not too expensive, so you can warm the house on the way home and drop the wall remote.
- Dry mode: removes moisture from the air on muggy days. Consumer NZ notes a dedicated dehumidifier is more effective for serious damp, which usually needs ventilation too.
- Washable filters with easy access: you will clean them often, so a fiddly cover becomes a chore.
- R32 refrigerant: used in many current split systems. It is what your installer must be equipped and certified to handle.
- Quiet or night fan setting: useful in bedrooms, but EECA advises Auto fan in very cold weather to get full output.
Looking after a high wall heat pump
EECA's advice is to clean the filter regularly, as often as monthly in heavy use, because clogged filters make the unit use more power. In Auckland homes, mould can grow on the coil and fan inside the unit; a musty smell at start-up is the usual sign. That needs a professional clean, not just a filter wash. Our heat pump servicing visits check the coil, drain and refrigerant performance as well.
Why Choose Cheeky's Heat Pumps for High Wall Heat Pumps
We size from your room, not the brochure
We measure floor area, ceiling height, glazing and insulation, and check capacity at Auckland's design temperature before recommending a kW size.
Honest about features
We tell you which extras are worth it for your room and which are not, and we will talk you down a size when the numbers say so.
Noise planned in
We compare published sound levels across suitable models and choose an outdoor position away from bedrooms and boundaries.
Multiple brands compared
We can quote across leading brands so you compare capacity, noise and energy label figures side by side.
High Wall Heat Pumps FAQs
What size heat pump do I need for a lounge?
As a rough guide, a 20 to 40 m2 room with standard ceilings often needs about 3.5 to 5 kW of heating, and 40 to 60 m2 about 5 to 7 kW. Insulation, glazing, ceiling height and sun change this, so we measure before recommending.
Is a bigger heat pump better?
Not significantly bigger. EECA's guide says a slightly larger unit gives a safety margin, but a significantly oversized one cycles on and off, wastes power, creates draughts and is noisier.
Which brand is best?
Several major brands sell good high wall units in New Zealand. Consumer NZ's reliability surveys are a useful independent check. Our best heat pumps guide compares what to look for, and we quote on models suited to your room.
How loud is a high wall heat pump?
Indoor units are usually quiet on low fan and louder on high. Check the decibel figures on each model's specification sheet, and compare units of the same capacity.
Can a high wall heat pump dehumidify?
Yes, most have a dry mode that removes moisture. For ongoing condensation and mould, a ventilation system or dedicated dehumidifier usually does a better job.
Does a heat pump in the lounge meet Healthy Homes rules?
It can, if it is fixed, has a thermostat and meets the capacity worked out with the Tenancy Services heating assessment tool for the main living room.
High Wall Heat Pumps Near You
Find your region or suburb for local high wall heat pumps information:
Related Heat Pump Services
- Heat Pump Installation
- Multi-Split Heat Pumps
- Floor Console Heat Pumps
- Heat Pump Servicing
- Ducted Heat Pumps
High Wall Heat Pumps Guides
- What Size Heat Pump Do I Need? kW by Room for NZ Homes
- Ducted Heat Pump Cost in NZ: Price, Running Costs and Zones
- Best Heat Pump in NZ: How to Choose the Right One
- How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost to Run in NZ?
See the heat pump prices guide or every service we offer.
Sources and further reading
- EECA Good Practice Guide: Heat Pump Installation (March 2022)
- EECA: Zoned Energy Rating Label
- Consumer NZ: Heat pumps buying guide
- Consumer NZ: 5 common heat pump buying mistakes
- Mitre 10: Heat pump installation (sizing guide)
- Gen Less: Make your heat pump work smarter, not harder
- Tenancy Services: Heating standard