Heat pumps are a clean way to heat your home. Unlike fossil fuels, they use electricity to provide warmth – a good choice for a sustainable future.
They also provide air conditioning – useful for Auckland’s hot summers. However, the noise from the indoor and outdoor units can be annoying if they’re near sleeping areas.
Cost
Heat pumps are more expensive to buy than basic space heaters from a hardware store, but they save you money on electricity costs in the long run. They also have a dehumidifying function that reduces the amount of water in the air, which prevents mould and other health problems.
The cost of a heat pump Auckland system depends on the size of your home and whether you want to install a single or multi-split system. An experienced, accredited installer can advise you on the type of system that will work best for your property and your budget.
If you choose a split system, the outdoor unit is connected to the indoor units with pipes and cables that can be hidden behind walls and ceilings. This system is ideal for apartments, townhouses, and smaller homes. In some cases, the outdoor unit can be mounted on a roof. This is more expensive but may be a good option if you don’t want to mount the indoor unit on a wall.
Energy efficiency
Heat pumps are the most energy efficient form of heating available in New Zealand. This is because they move existing heat rather than creating it. They can deliver 4kW of heat for every 1kW of electricity they consume – this is called the heating COP.
They can also cool your home in summer and dehumidify. Most are programmable for 7 days and some have built in WiFi to allow remote control via smartphone. Some have timer controls that reduce your power consumption at night.
Specialist heat pump installers are qualified refrigeration technicians and registered electricians. They understand how heat pumps work and the affect that weather conditions can have on the efficiency of different units. This can make a significant difference to your overall running costs. They can also help ensure the unit is sized correctly and that the installation is properly weathertight. Getting this wrong can lead to unnecessary and expensive maintenance bills in the future.
Installation
If you’re planning to install a heat pump, it is important to choose an installer who understands the process and is willing to work with you. This is because the installation process is a crucial part of the system’s performance and warranty.
The first step in installing a heat pump is to dig or drill a hole in the wall to run pipes and wiring. The installer will then connect the indoor and outdoor units and test them to ensure they’re working properly. Once everything is connected, the installer will issue you with a Certificate of Compliance.
If you’re building a new home, it’s best to plan for the installation of your heat pump during the build process. This allows the ducting, piping and heat pump unit to be installed as part of the process, saving time and money. This also helps to ensure that the system is designed correctly and is weather tight. It will also prevent problems in the future.
Maintenance
Heat pumps are a large investment so like any other home appliance they require maintenance and cleaning. Keeping your heat pump system running at optimal performance will ensure it lasts and keeps your power bills down year after year. This is why it is always recommended to get your heat pump serviced annually.
A heat pump’s main function is to warm and cool a building. It does this by pulling in air from outside and transferring it to the indoor environment, where it is used to generate heat. This process also works in reverse when cooling, where the absorbed energy is dispelled outdoors.
A ducted heat pump can be installed in new homes during the build process, making it easy to incorporate into the design of your house. The heat pump and ducting can be built into the structure, and the whole system is hidden from view, making it discreet and efficient. The installation process can take as little as 3 hours for a back to back system, or a day for multi- or ducted systems.