Getting the size right in a mild climate
NIWA describes Taranaki as a sunny region with moderate temperatures and rain spread evenly through the year. For most homes here, a standard heat pump sized to the room does the job. You rarely need to pay extra for the biggest model in the range just to cope with the cold.
Start with the room. Run a tape measure across the floor, put the area into the calculator, and if the result puzzles you, our heat pump sizing guide walks through it. High ceilings, big windows and open-plan living push the size up. An installer should confirm the figure on site before you sign.
When you line up quotes, compare units of the same kW. EECA's Zoned Energy Rating Label shows how much heat a unit gives when it is 7°C outside and when it is 2°C, and New Zealand is the zone marked Cold. More stars means a more efficient unit, and that matters more than an extra half kilowatt.
What can add to the bill on a New Plymouth job
None of these is unusual, but each one costs time or parts. Ask for any that apply to be shown as their own line on the quote.
- A long pipe run. The cheapest install puts the two units on opposite sides of one wall. If the outdoor unit has to go round a corner or down the side of the house, expect more pipe and more labour.
- Two storeys or a sloping section. An upstairs unit, or a house that sits high off the ground on one side, can need extra ladders, a platform or a second pair of hands.
- Brick or block walls. Drilling the pipe hole takes longer through masonry than through weatherboard.
- A full switchboard. An older board with no free slot may need work before a new circuit can go in.
- Brackets or a raised pad. Where the outdoor unit can't sit on the ground, a bracket or stand goes on the parts list.
Choice among New Plymouth installers
Of 24 heat pump installers in New Plymouth, only 4 fit ducted systems and 2 mention multi-split work. For a single high-wall unit you can gather several quotes with little effort, but a whole-house job narrows the field fast. Before you book visits, our comparison of ducted and high-wall systems can settle which kind to price.
Ten of them service heat pumps and 9 take on repairs, which helps if you want the same crew to look after the unit later. A free quote is on offer from 9, and 5 handle hot water heat pumps as well.
Help with the cost, and a fair quote
Warmer Kiwi Homes is a national programme run by EECA. Its grants can cover part of the cost of a heat pump for eligible owners, and you can check eligibility on EECA's website or in our guide to heat pump grants. Only one New Plymouth installer mentions Warmer Kiwi Homes work, and one offers finance, so raise either early if it matters to you.
For a fair price, ask each installer to visit rather than quote from a photo. Make sure the quote names the exact model, includes GST and spells out any extras. Our heat pump cost guide explains what a standard install should cover, so you can spot a quote that leaves something out.
If a price comes in well above the table, ask the installer to walk you through what pushes it there. A higher figure can be fair for a hard install, but you should be able to see exactly why. A good installer will happily explain each line and point out anything you could skip.
Compare every installer on the New Plymouth page, or read 10 Best Heat Pump Installers in New Plymouth.