A heat pump install is really two jobs in one. There’s the electrical work, connecting the unit to your power supply. And there’s the refrigeration work, joining the indoor and outdoor units with pipes, making sure the system is sealed and getting the refrigerant where it needs to be. Different rules cover each part.
Does a heat pump need a registered electrician?
Yes. Connecting a heat pump is prescribed electrical work. WorkSafe’s definition covers connecting electrical appliances to or from a power supply other than by a plug, appliance inlet or plug pins pushed into a socket. A heat pump is wired in, not plugged in, so its connection sits inside that definition. The full list of what counts is in Schedule 1 of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010.
The rules for who can do that work are clear:
- Anyone other than a homeowner who carries out prescribed electrical work must be registered with the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB).
- Every electrical worker who does the work for payment must hold an annual practising licence.
Councils make the same point. Christchurch City Council’s guidance is that heat pumps don’t need a building consent but must be installed by registered electricians who certify their own work.
→ Related: Heat pump building consent: what needs one
How to check your electrician’s licence
Ask to see their practising licence and check the expiry date. The licence colour changes every two years, which makes an out-of-date card easier to spot.
You can also check the public register online. It lets you:
- confirm a person is registered or licensed
- see their licence history
- find out whether they’ve been disciplined in the last three years.
Search by name, or by the registration number on their licence card, which is a set of letters for the licence class followed by numbers. It takes a minute, and it’s best done before anyone starts work on your house.
What is a Certificate of Compliance?
Electricians must give you a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) when they do fixed wiring work. For a heat pump, that typically covers the new circuit or connection. The CoC shows that the work:
- was done by a licensed electrician
- meets the safety standards set by law
- has been tested.
You may also be given an Electrical Safety Certificate, which is the form used to certify prescribed electrical work under the Electricity (Safety) Regulations. Some electrical work, particularly on the main switchboard, the main cable and the main earth, must also be inspected by a licensed electrical inspector. If that applies, your electrician is responsible for arranging it.
Keep these documents together and somewhere safe. They’re your proof the work was done properly, and you may need them for an insurance claim.
Who’s allowed to do the refrigerant work?
Heat pumps move heat using a refrigerant gas sealed inside the pipes. Installing the pipework, testing it for leaks, and adding or recovering refrigerant is specialist work done by refrigeration and air conditioning technicians.
One part of this has a specific legal certificate. People in the refrigeration and air conditioning trade who fill gas cylinders with refrigerant, for example when recovering gas from an old system, must hold an Approved Filler Test Certificate. It covers flammable refrigerants (classes 2.1.1A and 2.1.1B) and non-hazardous refrigerant gases. WorkSafe keeps a register of the compliance certifiers who can issue it.
That certificate is about filling cylinders. It isn’t a licence to install heat pumps. So when you compare installers, ask:
- Who will do the electrical connection, and are they registered and licensed?
- Who will do the pipework and refrigerant work, and what training do they hold?
- How do they deal with refrigerant they recover from an old unit?
Waimakariri District Council recommends using an installer who is trade qualified to install air conditioning units and heat pumps, and suggests they should be a member of IRHACE, the industry body. Membership is a council recommendation, not a legal requirement.
→ Related: Heat pump noise and where the outdoor unit goes
Can you install a heat pump yourself?
The law lets homeowners do a limited amount of electrical work on their own home, following electrical code of practice ECP 51. WorkSafe’s advice is not to attempt it unless you’re confident you have the knowledge, tools and skills, because a poor job can cause shock or fire and costs more to put right.
For a heat pump, the practical answer is simple. Leave the electrical connection to a registered electrician, as councils expect, and leave the refrigerant work to a trained technician with the right equipment. Refrigerant work isn’t something a homeowner can do safely without that training and gear.
What you can do yourself is the everyday care: cleaning filters and keeping the outdoor unit clear.
→ Related: Heat pump servicing you can do yourself
Does who installs it affect your warranty?
Brands set their own warranty terms, and some depend on who does the install. Mitsubishi Electric heat pumps, for example, must be installed by an authorised dealer to qualify for warranty. Before you hire someone, ask whether they’re approved by the brand you’re buying and what that means for your warranty.
→ Related: Heat pump brands and their warranties compared
Where to find a qualified heat pump installer
Compare installers for high-wall heat pumps or ducted systems, or browse all heat pump installers and your town. Whoever you choose, check the electrician’s licence on the register and keep your Certificate of Compliance.