Heating and cooling
Heat pump installation in Remuera
Heat pumps are one of the most efficient ways to heat a New Zealand home. In a large Remuera house the question is usually not whether to have one but how many, of which type, and where they go. We install heat pumps from a single wall unit to a whole-house system, together with the electrical work behind them.
Choosing the right type for the house
According to EECA's guide to choosing a heat pump, the average heat pump in New Zealand puts out about three times more heat than the electricity it uses. The guide describes three types, and Remuera's houses use all of them.
A single-split system, one outdoor unit feeding one indoor unit, is the simple answer for a lounge or an open-plan living area. Multi-split systems connect one outdoor unit to several indoor units, which EECA describes as a good fit for larger homes: the bedrooms of a two-storey Edwardian house, say, served from a single unit outside. Ducted systems blow warm air through ducts to vents in many rooms, giving the whole house central heating; they cost more up front and need room for ducting, which some villas and bungalows have under the floor or in the ceiling space and some do not.
Older Remuera houses add one more consideration. High ceilings mean more air to heat than a modern room of the same floor area, so a unit sized from the floor plan alone can struggle in winter. The room's volume, its windows and its insulation all go into the choice.
Where the units go
Indoor unit high on an outside wall
EECA's guidance is to mount it high on an exterior wall, away from corners, so warm air can spread across the room.
Outdoor unit close by
Ideally within about 15 metres of the indoor unit, with clear space either side for air and for servicing.
Away from bedroom windows
Outdoor units make a low hum, so a spot away from your bedrooms, and your neighbours', is kinder at night.
Off the street face of the house
On a villa or bungalow, a side or rear wall usually keeps the front of the house as it was built.
The electrical side of a heat pump
EECA notes that a heat pump needs to be installed by a licensed electrician, and most of that work happens before the unit is switched on. A heat pump of any size usually has a dedicated circuit from the switchboard with its own isolating switch beside the outdoor unit. That circuit has to fit on the board: in an older house with a full fuse board, adding two or three heat pumps is often the moment to look at a switchboard upgrade. If the cable route runs through a ceiling space full of old rubber-insulated wiring, it is worth knowing that before the job starts, and our page on rewiring Remuera's older homes explains what to look out for. The finished wiring is tested and certified like any other new circuit.
Insulation first, then heat
A heat pump in a draughty, uninsulated room works hard for little result. EECA's advice is to start with ceiling insulation, then the accessible space under the floor, and to keep the thermostat at 20 or 21 degrees at most. In a villa with a high ceiling and sash windows, those steps can make a smaller heat pump do the work of a bigger one.
Heat pump questions
What size heat pump do I need?
It depends on the room's size and ceiling height, its windows and how well it is insulated. A high-studded villa lounge needs more heat than a modern room with the same floor area.
Can one outdoor unit heat several rooms?
Yes, with a multi-split system, which EECA suggests for larger homes. Several indoor units run from one outdoor unit.
Will a heat pump cool the house in summer?
Yes, most can cool as well as heat. EECA also suggests trying the fan-only setting with the windows open, and the dehumidifying mode, before full air conditioning.
How long does a heat pump last?
EECA gives a typical lifespan of about 15 years, so an old unit that is noisy or struggling may be due for replacement rather than repair.
Does a heat pump need its own circuit?
Usually, yes, along with an isolating switch beside the outdoor unit. Whether your switchboard has room for it is one of the first things we check.
Talk to an electrician about your Remuera home
Call 021 156 4005 at any hour, or send us the details of the job and we will get back to you.
Other services
Rewiring Older Homes
New wiring for Remuera's villas, bungalows and Edwardian houses, planned around the ceilings, floors and joinery you want to keep.Switchboard Replacement
Old fuse boards replaced with a modern switchboard that has room for today's circuits, with the inspection arranged.LED & Interior Lighting
LED downlights, dimmers, joinery and wardrobe strips, and feature lights for kitchens, lounges and hallways.Garden & Outdoor Lighting
Lighting for gardens, paths, driveways, decks and outdoor rooms, so a big section can be used and found after dark.Home Theatre & TV
Wall-mounted TVs, projector screens, aerials and the power and data points behind a home theatre or media room.Security Cameras & Alarms
Alarm systems and CCTV cameras for homes and premises, placed to watch your property rather than your neighbours'.24/7 Emergency Electrician
Electricians available for call-outs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for lost power, tripping circuits and anything burning or sparking.Enquiries
Contact us
Call 021 156 4005, day or night, or tell us about the job below and one of our electricians will get back to you.
021 156 4005- Auckland
- Call-outs around the clock, every day of the week