Does the grant help with the power bill too?

No. The grant covers the heater itself, not the cost of running it. To keep the bill down, run the heat pump between 18 and 21°C and only while you're home. Timers, fan speed and the rest are covered in [winter heat pump settings](/guides/heat-pump-winter-settings/).

How long does it take to get the heat pump installed?

Once you've passed the eligibility check and signed the provider's contract, installation can take up to four months, because of supply and installer availability. The quote stage comes first and is free with no obligation, so you can see the full price and your share before you commit to anything.

What if I can't get through the online eligibility check?

Call 0800 749 782 and ask. That's also the number to use if you want a contracted insulation provider to look at your ceiling and underfloor, whether your insulation wasn't done through a government programme or the house can't be insulated at all.

Does the grant cover ducted heat pumps or floor consoles?

No. Funding goes to high-wall heat pumps only, and wood and pellet burners are no longer funded either, so a heat pump is the heater the programme still pays for. The unit is sized for the single room it's installed in, not for the whole house.

Can I get the grant if there's already a working heat pump in the lounge?

No. One of the conditions is that there's no working fixed heater in any living area. An operational heat pump counts, along with a wood or pellet burner, a flued gas heater or a central heating system. If a living area heater still works, the heating grant isn't available for that home.

Do I have to be on a benefit to qualify?

No. The programme runs off two cards, a Community Services Card or a SuperGold Combo card, plus the option of living in an area identified as low income. Being on a benefit isn't one of the conditions. If you hold either card, that side of the test is already met.

Heat Pump Grants in NZ: Warmer Kiwi Homes Explained

If the price of a heat pump is the only thing in your way, check the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme first. It’s the main government grant for home heating in New Zealand, run by EECA, and for households that qualify it pays for most of a high-wall heat pump. What follows is how the official programme page described the rules on 22 October 2026. Grant rules move, sometimes at short notice, so run the eligibility check yourself before you lean on any of it.

Who can get a heat pump grant?

You need to tick every one of these boxes:

You own the home and live in it. It has to be your own home, built before 2008.
You hold a Community Services Card or a SuperGold Combo card, or you live in an area identified as low income.
The home has ceiling and underfloor insulation installed to the programme’s standard.
There’s no working fixed heater in any living area. That means no operational heat pump, wood or pellet burner, flued gas heater or central heating system.

A few things trip people up:

Middle-income areas don’t qualify for heating. The heating grant is aimed at the households in most need. If your address sits in a middle-income area, heating isn’t included.
Rentals are out. Rental homes and homes owned by businesses are excluded. If you’re a landlord, the Healthy Homes heating standard is the rule to follow instead.
Holiday homes are out. No baches, Airbnbs or holiday homes.
Remote places may miss out. Grants may not be available in some remote locations and on islands.

You can’t tell by looking at your street whether it counts as a low-income area. The online check is how you find out, so run it even if you’re unsure.

What if my home isn’t insulated?

You may still be able to get the heater grant. If your insulation wasn’t done through a government programme, an insulation provider contracted to the programme will do a quick check at no cost to you. If the house can’t be insulated at all, a contracted provider has to assess it, and you can still be considered for a heater. You can ask for that through the online tool or by calling 0800 749 782.

What does the grant cover?

If you have a Community Services Card or a SuperGold Combo card, or you live in one of the highest-need areas, you may be able to get a 90% grant, up to $3,450. Most people end up paying $400 to $700 themselves, depending on the size and brand of the heat pump.

The cap matters. The grant stops at $3,450 however much the job costs, so on a more expensive job your share can end up well above 10%. Ask the provider to show the full price, the grant amount and your share as separate figures on the quote.

Some limits are worth knowing before you get your heart set on a particular system:

High-wall heat pumps only. There’s no funding for ducted systems or floor consoles.
One room, not the whole house. The heat pump is sized to heat the room it’s installed in, not the whole house.
Wood and pellet burners are no longer funded. Heat pumps are the heater the programme still pays for.

In some regions, community organisations add top-up funding on top of the grant, which can cut what you pay further. Your provider will tell you if any is available when they assess your home.

→ Related: What a heat pump costs in New Zealand

How do I apply for the Warmer Kiwi Homes grant?

Run the eligibility check online. It takes about five minutes.
Wait for a provider to contact you. If you qualify, the form suggests insulation and heating providers in your area, and they get in touch.
Get a quote. It’s free and there’s no obligation.
Sign and pay your share. You’re only committed once you sign the provider’s contract. You then pay the part the grant doesn’t cover straight to them.
Have it installed. Installation can take up to four months at the moment, because of supply and installer availability.

Some installations get picked at random for a quality check, so don’t be surprised if someone asks to inspect the job afterwards.

How to make your heat pump grant application easier

Have your card handy. If you qualify through a Community Services Card or SuperGold Combo card, keep it nearby while you fill in the form.
Check your insulation first. If you know the ceiling or underfloor insulation is missing, sort that question out early, because it decides what you can get.
Ask where the indoor unit will go. The grant heats one room, so make sure it’s the room you actually live in on winter evenings.
Keep your paperwork. You’ll want the contract, the invoice and the warranty card in one place for servicing later.

What if I don’t qualify for the grant?

Plenty of homes miss out, especially in middle-income areas or where a heater is already working. You still have options: start with one high-wall unit in the room you use most and add more later. Heat pump costs in NZ covers what changes the price, and what size heat pump you need helps you avoid paying for more unit than the room needs.

Who installs Warmer Kiwi Homes heat pumps?

Whether or not you get the grant, start with a good high-wall installer. Browse high-wall heat pump installers across the country, or pick your town to see who works near you.