Heat pump installation cost in NZ (2026)

Updated 10 November 2026. Prices are published NZ figures, linked to their source. Your tradie quotes after seeing the job.

A single high-wall heat pump, supplied and installed, typically costs about $3,000 to $5,000 in NZ (OneRoof, 2025). A ducted system for the whole house runs from about $8,000 to $16,000 and up. EECA’s own average is around $4,400 including the unit and the install.

Prices vary a lot between sources, and most do not say whether GST is included. Treat every figure here as a guide, then get a written quote for your house.

The quick answer

OneRoof is a property news site. That article was sponsored by Gen Less (EECA’s consumer brand) and quotes an EECA adviser. CheckMyBuilder is a vendor guide and says its figures are 2026 estimates for guidance only.

What changes the price

Type of system. Consumer NZ says a split system is the simplest and most common option, and that much of the installation cost comes from running the pipes and wires from outside to inside. A multi-split is usually cheaper than several separate outdoor units, but longer pipe runs add cost. Ducted systems are the most expensive to install and are slightly less efficient because of heat loss from the ducts.

Capacity. CheckMyBuilder says bigger heat pumps cost more for both the unit and the labour. Right-sizing matters more than buying the biggest unit.

Pipe run. CheckMyBuilder says a standard install usually covers a pipe run of up to 4m, and a longer run adds $200 to $1,000. EECA says the outdoor unit should ideally be within around 15m of the indoor air outlet, with clear space on either side for airflow and access.

Wiring and the switchboard. CheckMyBuilder lists $300 to $1,500 extra where an older house needs a new dedicated circuit or switchboard work. Its “usually extra” list also includes decorative covers, removing old heating and wifi controls.

Brand. CheckMyBuilder says premium brands add 10% to 30%, and budget brands can be $500 to $1,000 less.

Region. CheckMyBuilder gives an indicative $5,000 typical figure for Auckland and $4,000 for Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga and regional NZ.

Sizing a heat pump

Consumer NZ says heating capacity is the most important spec. Too low and the unit struggles to warm the room. Too high and it is inefficient and costs more up front than you need. Its sizing table assumes a 2.4m ceiling, so go up if yours is higher.

CheckMyBuilder gives a rule of thumb of 0.1kW per square metre for well-insulated newer homes, up to 0.15kW per square metre for older homes. On that rule, a 40 square metre open-plan living area needs about 5 to 6kW. Your installer should check the room, insulation and layout rather than rely on a rule.

EECA says the indoor unit should be installed high on an exterior wall, away from corners. Consumer NZ suggests keeping it away from where you normally sit, so fan noise and draughts do not bother you.

Running costs and servicing

Consumer NZ says a small 2.5kW heat pump can cost below $200 a year to run, and a very large one of 10kW or more might cost $1,000 a year, depending on use. Its page mentions an electricity price of around 26 cents per kWh and an MBIE national average of 29 cents, so your own bill will move the answer.

EECA says heat pumps cost around a third as much to run as gas heating, and could save the average household $122 a year. It gives 15 years as the lifespan of the technology.

For upkeep, the EECA adviser quoted by OneRoof says to clean the filter at least once a month and to keep the setting at 18 to 21 degrees. Consumer NZ notes that high-wall filters can be hard to reach, so ask about self-cleaning filters if that matters to you.

The subsidy: Warmer Kiwi Homes

EECA’s Warmer Kiwi Homes page says you may get a 90% grant, up to $3,450, if you have a Community Services Card, a SuperGold Combo card, or live in the highest-need areas. Homes in middle-income areas get insulation only, not heating.

To qualify for the heater grant, EECA lists these conditions:

• You own and live in a home built before 2008.
• You hold a Community Services Card or SuperGold Combo card, or live in an area identified as low income.
• The home has ceiling and underfloor insulation installed to EECA standards.
• The home has no working fixed heater in a living area: heat pump, wood or pellet burner, flued gas heater or central heating.

EECA also says the programme funds high-wall heat pumps only, not ducted or floor-mount systems. Rentals and homes owned by businesses are excluded, and so are baches and holiday homes. Funding is limited, and EECA says installation can take up to 4 months. Wood and pellet burners are no longer funded.

EECA says eligible households should expect to pay $400 to $700. Sustainability Trust (updated 19 November 2025) says some Wellington-area trusts cover up to 100%, so local top-ups can change what you pay. Use EECA’s eligibility checker for your own address.

A worked example

Using the figures above, take a high-wall unit in a living room of an older house.

• Low end: $3,000 for the supplied and installed unit (OneRoof), plus $200 for a longer pipe run (CheckMyBuilder) = $3,200.
• High end: $5,000 for the unit, plus $1,000 for a long pipe run, plus $1,500 for a new circuit and switchboard work = $7,500.

So the same job can land anywhere from $3,200 to $7,500 depending on the house. If the owner qualifies for the full Warmer Kiwi Homes grant, EECA says they would expect to pay $400 to $700 instead.

Rules, licences and consents

Electrical work. EECA says a heat pump needs to be installed by a licensed electrician. Auckland Council puts it more precisely: you do not need a qualified and registered person to install the heat pump itself, but you do need a licensed electrical worker to connect it to the electrical supply. Afterwards you should receive an Electrical Certificate of Compliance and an Electrical Safety Certificate. The Electrical Workers Registration Board says to ask to see the worker’s licence ID and check the Electrical Workers Public Register.

Building consent. Auckland Council says that in most cases, especially residential, installing a heat pump does not need a building consent. A hole up to 300mm through an external or internal wall doesn’t usually need one either. Heat pump water heaters, for hot water, follow different rules, covered in our hot water cylinder guide. Councils can differ, so check yours if you are unsure.

Noise. Auckland Council says heat pumps should be located as far from property boundaries as possible to avoid noise complaints. Consumer NZ says the outdoor unit can be quite noisy.

Questions to ask before you say yes

• Is the price for the unit and install together, and does it include GST?
• What size unit do you recommend for my room, and why?
• Exactly which brand and model am I getting?
• How long is the pipe run, and what does a longer run cost?
• Does my switchboard and wiring need work, and is that in the price?
• Who is the licensed electrician, and will I get the Certificate of Compliance?
• Where will the outdoor unit go, and how close is it to the boundary?
• What does the warranty cover, on the unit and on the install?

How GoodTradie helps

GoodTradie is free for homeowners. You type the job, we call you, find one local tradie, check they hold insurance for the work, and book them in. The electrical connection itself must be done by a licensed electrician, and you can look them up on the EWRB register. We do not send your job to several tradies. We also compare the quote against published NZ figures like the ones above. That is a guide, not a guarantee of the best price. Type your job into the box at the top of the page to get started.

Sources

• OneRoof, Why heat pumps make winter cheaper, 2 July 2025
• CheckMyBuilder, heat pump install cost, updated May 2026
• EECA, Choose an efficient heat pump for your home (page undated)
• EECA, Warmer Kiwi Homes (page undated)
• Consumer NZ, heat pump buying guide (page undated)
• Auckland Council, Install a heat pump (page undated)
• Sustainability Trust, heat pump subsidy, updated 19 November 2025
• Electrical Workers Registration Board, why use a registered electrical worker (page undated)

Need a heat pump installer? See how we find and check one, or type the job in the box at the top.