Types of heat pumps for New Zealand homes
There are five main types of heat pump. The right one depends on the rooms you want to heat, your walls and ceiling, and where the outdoor unit can go. Here is what each one is for.
Heat pump types
The five main types of heat pump
Most New Zealand homes start with a high-wall heat pump in the main living area.
High-wall split
2.5–9 kWNew Zealand’s default. Indoor head near the ceiling, outdoor compressor on the wall. Lounge, bedroom, or open-plan living.
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Floor console
Low mountSame system, mounted low. Used where wall height is tight, or a nightstore or fireplace is coming out.
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Cassette
Ceiling, four-waySits in the ceiling and throws air four ways. Larger rooms and shops where a wall head cannot cover evenly.
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Multi-split
2–5 indoor headsSeveral indoor units, one outdoor compressor. Individual room control without a row of outdoor boxes.
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Ducted
Whole homeHidden in the ceiling or underfloor. Whole-home heating and cooling through vents, often with zoning.
Learn moreQuick guide
Which type is usually right?
A rule of thumb to start with. Your installer confirms it once they have seen the house.
- One roomHigh-wallA lounge, open-plan living area or bedroom. The most common choice, and the only type the grant funds.High-wall guide →
- Several roomsMulti-splitTwo to five rooms from one outdoor unit, when there is only space for one unit outside.Multi-split guide →
- Whole homeDuctedHidden vents in every room. Best in new builds or big renovations with good ceiling space.Ducted guide →
Compare
Compare heat pump types
A quick guide. Your installer will confirm the type and size once they have seen the house.
| Type | Best for | Size | Grant funded |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-wall | One room: lounge, bedroom or open-plan living | 2.5–9 kW | Yes, in the living area |
| Floor console | Low walls, or replacing a nightstore or fireplace | Low mount | No |
| Cassette | Wide rooms and shops with ceiling space | Ceiling unit | No |
| Multi-split | Several rooms on one outdoor unit | 2–5 indoor units | No |
| Ducted | Whole home, new builds and big renovations | Whole home | No |
Sizing
Getting the size right matters more than the brand
Heat pumps are sized in kilowatts. A bedroom is often 2.5 to 3.5 kW and a typical living area 5 to 7 kW. Insulation, ceiling height, glazing and which way the room faces all change the number.
Too small and it runs flat out on cold nights. Too big and it switches on and off, wasting power. That is why your installer sizes the heat pump in the room, not from a floor plan.
Choosing a heat pump: questions
Who actually does the install?
An installer in your area. We pass the job to them. They visit, quote, install and stand behind the warranty.
How do I know what size I need?
Capacity is in kilowatts, not brand names. A bedroom is often 2.5–3.5 kW. A typical Kiwi living area is 5–7 kW. Insulation, glazing, ceiling height and a south-facing wall all move the number. A specialist should walk the room, not guess from a floor-plan photo.
Is there a grant?
Warmer Kiwi Homes, run by EECA, can cover most of an approved high-wall if you qualify. It is means-tested, usually for pre-2008 homes, with insulation rules. Ducted and floor units are not funded. Mention it on the form if you think you are eligible.
Which heat pump do I need?
Start with the room, then the type, then the brand. Most Kiwi lounges take a high-wall. Open-plan or whole-home jobs may need multi-split or ducted. The installer specifies it on site.