Air Conditioners

What is a Heat Pump? Heat pumps, or air-conditioners, can cleverly collect latent heat from air outside the house, even on a cold day, for use inside. Although they are expensive to buy, they are relatively economical to run. They run on electricity but create far more heat per kWh of electricity than other forms of electric heating. Most air-conditioners available for sale in New Zealand are "reverse cycle" which means they are capable of heating in Winter and also cooling in Summer. Under the Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart programme you could save $500 on the purchase of an energy-efficient heat pump. Refer to our "Be Powerwise" section of this website for more information.

How does a heat pump work? Heat pumps do not generate heat but extract it from one body of air and transfer it to another. They use the same principle as your fridge, compressing gas and then allowing it to expand, extracting heat as it does so. Even if the air outside is freezing, heat pumps can extract heat energy and transfer it inside to keep you warm. In summer the system works in reverse, extracting heat from indoors and transferring it outside leaving you comfortable and cool. They provide convenient, efficient, thermostatically-controlled heating that can be set to turn on and off automatically at different times of the day. Heat pumps can also work as an air conditioner for summer cooling – it just uses the above principles in reverse.

Can I install a heat pump myself? The short answer is no, it’s not a DIY job. You also need a professional to help you choose the right model for you. We can arrange for a heating specialist to visit your home and recommend the right model, size and placement of heat pump. They can also arrange installation for you.