Read the 2°C figure, not just the headline kW
Upper Hutt nights run colder than those in central Wellington, and a heat pump gives out less heat as the air outside gets colder. That makes the cold-weather rating the number to watch on any quote.
EECA's Zoned Energy Rating Label shows each unit's heating output at two outdoor temperatures, 7°C and 2°C. The 2°C figure is the honest one for a winter night in the upper valley. If it falls well short of what your room needs, ask the installer about the next size up or a model built for colder climates. Either may cost more at the start, but a unit that struggles every winter is the worse buy.
Insulation changes the sum too. A house with a well-insulated ceiling and floor holds its heat, so a smaller unit can keep up. If your home is short on either, pricing the insulation alongside the heat pump can save you from paying for a bigger unit than you need.
The calculator gives a rough kW for each room, and our sizing guide explains the rule of thumb behind it. On the label, more stars means a more efficient unit. Greater Wellington also encourages people to choose ENERGY STAR qualified heat pumps, which is a quick way to narrow a long list.
Why so many quotes here are ducted
Of 16 heat pump installers in Upper Hutt, 11 fit ducted systems. That is a high share, and it means you can compare several ducted prices without leaving town. Only 4 mention multi-split work, so that option has fewer bidders.
A ducted system sits in the ceiling space or under the floor, with an outlet in each room. What it costs depends on how easy that space is to work in. A low roof, a tight crawl space or a long run to the far bedrooms all add labour. Ask each installer how many outlets they plan and where the return air grille will go, since a quote with fewer outlets can look cheaper on paper.
Still undecided? Weigh both with our ducted versus wall-unit guide. Add up the table's high-wall prices for the rooms you actually use, and set that total beside the ducted range before you choose.
Getting a fair quote in Upper Hutt
Ten of the 16 installers offer a free quote, so asking two or three to visit costs you nothing but time. Ten also service heat pumps and 8 handle repairs. For a ducted system in particular, ask who will service it and what that involves, because filters and grilles need regular cleaning.
Only one installer here mentions finance, and none mention Warmer Kiwi Homes. That scheme runs nationwide through EECA, and a grant from it may pay a share of the install for homeowners who meet its criteria. Look up whether you qualify on EECA's site, and skim our grant guide before signing anything. To see what a basic fit ought to cover, read our guide to install costs.
Timing helps as well. Installers here get busiest once the cold mornings start, and the wait for a ducted job can stretch out. Ask for quotes over summer or early autumn, when there is more time to compare and less pressure to take the first date offered.
- Get the 2°C heating figure written on every quote.
- For ducted work, get the number of outlets and the location of the outdoor unit in writing.
- Check whether travel to a property on the edge of town is included.
Compare every installer on the Upper Hutt page, or read 9 Best Heat Pump Installers in Upper Hutt.