Flat sections and simpler fitting
On a level section the installer can usually set the outdoor unit on a pad against the wall and run short pipes straight through. That is the job the table is built on. Single-storey bungalows, which are common across the city, make it easier still, with roof space above for any pipe run that has to go further.
The same roof space is why ducted systems suit many Christchurch homes. A ducted system hides the indoor unit in the ceiling and feeds each room through vents. It costs much more than one wall unit, so read our guide to ducted vs high-wall heat pumps before you ask for a ducted quote.
Corner sections and houses set back from the boundary give the installer more choice of spot. Where a garage or a fence sits hard against the wall you would pick, the outdoor unit may have to go further away, and the longer pipe run is added to the price.
Paying for output on the coldest mornings
Every heat pump sold here carries EECA's Zoned Energy Rating Label. It shows how powerful the unit is for heating when it is 7°C outside and when it is colder, at 2°C. New Zealand sits in the zone marked Cold. Compare that 2°C figure across quotes, because two units sold as the same size can give quite different heat on a cold morning.
EECA advises comparing units of the same kW size and getting a professional to size the unit to the space. A unit that is too small for the room will run flat out and still leave you cold, which wastes the money you saved on the cheaper model. Our guide on what size heat pump you need walks through the sizing.
Ask each installer which model they would pick for your room and why, so you can see how they weighed price against cold-weather output.
Free advice and grants for Christchurch owners
Christchurch City Council runs a free Home Energy Check for homeowners. An advisor from Community Energy Action visits and gives written and spoken advice on heating, insulation, ventilation and more, with no obligation to act on it. It is worth booking before you get quotes, so you know what the house needs.
The council also points owners to Warmer Kiwi Homes, the national EECA programme. Christchurch City Council describes it as subsidies of 80% to 90% for insulation and an efficient heat pump, for eligible homeowners in qualifying areas. Check eligibility on EECA's website, and see our guide to heat pump grants.
If you do act on the advice, the council suggests comparing prices from different companies. For a heat pump, that means two or three quotes, each for the same size and type of unit.
What the 121 Christchurch installers offer
Of the 121 installers we track in Christchurch, 39 fit ducted systems and 17 fit multi-split systems. More than half, 63, offer servicing, and 47 do repairs. 65 offer a free quote and 12 offer finance. Only 3 mention Warmer Kiwi Homes, so if you plan to use the grant, ask whether an installer can do that work before they come out.
Servicing matters where a heat pump runs long hours every winter. Ask what a service costs, how often the maker recommends one and whether skipping it affects the warranty. Between visits, follow the maker's instructions for cleaning the filters.
- Ask each installer for the heating output at 2°C, not only the headline kW.
- Check the quote names the exact model so you can look up its label.
- Book the free Home Energy Check first if you have not had one.
Compare every installer on the Christchurch page, or read 10 Best Heat Pump Installers in Christchurch.