It’s the first thing most people ask, and it’s a fair question. The honest answer is that the price depends on your home, and two houses on the same street can need quite different installs. Here’s what actually drives the cost, so you know what you’re paying for and can compare quotes properly.
What an installed price should include
A proper installed price isn’t just the heat pump in a box. It should cover:
- The indoor and outdoor units
- Mounting brackets or a pad for the outdoor unit
- Refrigerant pipework, cabling and drainage
- A dedicated circuit from your switchboard
- Commissioning, testing and electrical certification
- Cleaning up after ourselves
If a quote looks cheap, check what’s missing from that list.
What changes the price
1. The size of the unit. A bigger space needs a bigger unit, and bigger units cost more. But going too big is a waste, and going too small means a unit that runs flat out and never quite warms the room. Getting the size right matters more than anything else. We cover that in what size heat pump do I need.
2. Where the units go. The simplest install is back-to-back: the indoor unit on an outside wall with the outdoor unit right behind it. Longer pipe runs, running pipework through ceilings or under floors, and two-storey installs all take more time and materials.
3. Your switchboard. Every heat pump needs its own circuit. If your board is old, full or has no RCD protection, it may need work before a heat pump can go in safely. We check this when we quote, so it’s never a surprise on install day.
4. One unit or a whole-home system. One high wall unit for the living area is the most common job. Heating bedrooms as well might mean a second unit, a heat transfer system that moves warm air from the living area into the bedrooms, or a ducted system with an outlet in every room. Each suits a different home and budget.
5. Brand and features. Wi-Fi control, quieter operation, better efficiency in cold weather and longer warranties all add a bit to the price. Sometimes they’re worth it, sometimes they’re not. We’ll tell you honestly which is which for your situation.
6. Access. Tight spaces, high walls, steep sections or a unit that needs to go on a roof or bracket high up the wall can add time.
How to compare quotes
When you’ve got a few quotes in front of you, check they’re quoting the same thing:
- Is the unit the same size and model, or at least the same capacity?
- Is the switchboard work included, or is that “extra if needed”?
- Is the outdoor unit on a proper pad or bracket?
- Is certification included?
- Is the installer a registered electrician?
The cheapest quote often isn’t the cheapest job once the extras turn up.
Why we quote on-site
We could guess a price over the phone, but guesses are how people end up with a unit that’s too small or a bill that grows on the day. We’d rather come out, measure the room, check your switchboard and give you a fixed price you can rely on. It’s free, and there’s no pressure.
Wondering what it’ll cost to run once it’s in? Have a read of how much a heat pump costs to run in NZ.
Get a free on-site heat pump quote and we’ll give you an honest recommendation and a fixed price for your home.