What a hillside section does to the price
Streets in Britannia Heights, Washington Valley and the hills behind the port climb steeply, and many homes sit well above or below the road. A heavy outdoor unit may have to be carried up a long drive or a run of steps. The house may stand on piles on its downhill side, which can mean scaffold or a long ladder to reach the wall.
The pipe route matters too. If the best spot for the outdoor unit is on the far side of a split-level house, the pipes have to travel further, and every extra metre adds to the bill. Walk the installer around the outside before they price it, so nothing turns up on the day. In an older home, the switchboard can also be a long way from the wall where the unit goes, which means more cable. Ask how long the quote is valid, and whether the price could change if access turns out harder than expected.
- Steps or a steep drive between the street and the house.
- A raised floor on the downhill side that needs a bracket or platform.
- A long pipe run across a split-level home.
- Extra hands to move the outdoor unit safely.
Cooling, calm air and choosing the size
NIWA puts Nelson's typical summer highs at about 20°C to 26°C, sometimes above 30°C, with warm and settled weather common. If you want the heat pump to cool a sunny room in January, size it for that job as well as for winter. EECA's Zoned Energy Rating Label shows cooling output at 35°C outside, so compare that figure for the room you have in mind.
NIWA also describes Nelson as calmer than many other urban centres. With little wind to shelter from, you can put the outdoor unit where the pipe run is shortest and the noise bothers no one. That keeps both the install cost and any later complaints down.
The sizing calculator beside the table is a good first step. A sun-trap room with lots of glass may need more, and our sizing guide explains why.
How Nelson installers compare
Nelson's 16 heat pump installers split unevenly on bigger jobs. Six fit ducted systems but only 2 mention multi-split work, so if you want one outdoor unit running several rooms, expect fewer quotes. For the pros and cons of each layout, see ducted or high-wall.
Ten of them offer a free quote and 10 service heat pumps, so getting two or three prices and lining up future servicing is straightforward. Fewer take on repairs, just 4, and only 1 fits hot water heat pumps.
To compare fairly, ask every installer to price the same size of unit for the same room. Then check that each quote names the model, includes GST and lists any extras such as brackets or scaffold. Differences in price are easier to judge once the quotes match.
Paying for it
None of the Nelson installers mention finance, so sort out how you will pay before you start getting quotes. If you need to spread the cost, talk to your bank about the options first.
Grants through Warmer Kiwi Homes, EECA's countrywide scheme, may take care of some of the cost if you are eligible. No installer in town mentions grant work, so check eligibility on EECA's website and ask each installer directly. Read our guide to heat pump grants for how the scheme works, and our breakdown of install prices for what a plain job covers.
Compare every installer on the Nelson page, or read 6 Best Heat Pump Installers in Nelson.