How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost to Install in New Zealand?
A practical homeowner guide to heat pump supply-and-install pricing, what changes the cost, and why two quotes for similar-looking jobs can be very different.
Quick Answer
In New Zealand, a professionally supplied and installed heat pump package can start from around $2,000–$2,500 inc GST for a smaller, straightforward back-to-back installation, and can increase to $4,000–$5,500+ inc GST for larger units, premium models or more complex installations.
The biggest cost drivers are the unit size and brand, installation difficulty, copper line set size and length, drainage, electrical supply, access, wall brackets, condensate pumps and whether the job needs extra materials or labour.
What you’ll learn
- Typical supply-and-install price ranges
- Why quotes vary
- Back-to-back vs complex installs
- Electrical requirements
- Condensate pumps
- Line sets and pipe runs
- Wi-Fi included vs add-on
- Real example scenarios
- What is usually included
What You’ll Get From This Guide
Buying a heat pump is a significant investment, and understanding what affects the installation cost can help you make an informed decision. This guide explains what’s typically included in a professional supply and install package, what factors can increase the price, and how to budget with confidence before requesting a quote.
Heat Pump Installation Price Estimator
This is a guide only, not a quote. It uses ballpark supply-and-install price ranges based on your model pricing table and common installation scenarios. Figures shown are intended as GST-inclusive homeowner estimates.
Estimate Your Supply & Install Price
Select the closest scenario. These figures include both the heat pump unit and a typical professional installation. All figures are GST-inclusive guide estimates, not quotes.
The Short Version
| Simple small unit supply & install | Often around $2,000–$2,500 inc GST depending on model and site conditions. |
| Mid-size back-to-back supply & install | Often around $2,500–$3,500 inc GST depending on brand and capacity. |
| Internal wall / short roof-space run | Allow extra for pipework, drain, interconnecting cable and labour. |
| Condensate pump | Commonly allow around $500 if gravity drainage is not practical. |
| Large units | Larger units often require larger copper line sets and sometimes a dedicated circuit back to the switchboard. |
| Wi-Fi control | Mitsubishi Electric AP Smart Series and MHI Ciara generally include Wi-Fi. Toshiba and Fujitsu generally need an add-on module. Allow around $300 where required. |
Why Heat Pump Installation Prices Vary
Two heat pump installations can look similar from the outside but be very different behind the scenes. A simple back-to-back installation may need only a short line set, straightforward drainage and a simple electrical connection. A more complex install may need a longer pipe run through a roof space, extra ducting, a condensate pump, wall brackets, scaffolding or a new dedicated circuit back to the switchboard.
That is why one supply-and-install package may be around $2,500 while another may be $4,000 or more. The price is not just the indoor and outdoor units. It includes the materials, electrical work, pipework, drainage, mounting, testing, commissioning and the time required to do the job properly.
What Affects the Cost?
The biggest cost factors are the heat pump size, model range, installation type, electrical requirements and access. Here are the main things that change the final price.
What Is Usually Included in a Standard Installation?
A straightforward installation normally includes the indoor and outdoor unit installation, copper line set, interconnecting cable, drain, ducting, outdoor unit base or condenser feet, isolator, electrical connection, pressure testing, vacuuming, commissioning and basic customer handover.
For a typical back-to-back installation, the installation portion alone may be around $1,000–$1,100, depending on the job and exactly what is included. The final installed package price then depends on the unit selected.
Positioned for comfort, airflow and appearance.
Copper pipe, drain, ducting, isolator and interlinking cable.
Mounted, tested, vacuumed and commissioned.
Example Supply & Install Price Ranges
These are GST-inclusive guide ranges only, but they are based on realistic unit and installation combinations.
Real Installation Photos
These photos help show the work behind a professional installation: pressure testing, vacuuming, commissioning, outdoor mounting, access equipment and finishing details.
Testing gear
Pressure gauges, nitrogen and vacuum equipment are part of doing the job properly.
Indoor installation
Good indoor placement affects airflow, comfort and appearance.
Outdoor unit
The outdoor unit needs airflow, drainage and a suitable mounting position.
Two-storey install
Scaffolding and wall brackets add labour, materials and complexity.
Optional Upgrades: Wi-Fi Control and Smart Features
Wi-Fi control is worth discussing before you choose a model, because it is included in some heat pumps and an optional add-on for others.
Wi-Fi gives homeowners a much easier way to control timers, schedules and temperature settings from a smartphone. It also allows you to turn the heat pump on before you get home, turn it off remotely if you forget, and on some models view energy usage or operating information.
Some models, such as Mitsubishi Electric AP Series units and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ciara models, generally include Wi-Fi control built in. Other ranges, including many Toshiba and Fujitsu options, generally require a separate Wi-Fi module if the customer wants app control.
Where Wi-Fi is not included, a good public-facing allowance is around $300 inc GST for the module and setup, depending on the model and availability. Use the Wi-Fi add-on option in the estimator if the selected model does not include Wi-Fi built in.
Common Extras That Can Add Cost
Condensate pumps
If the indoor unit cannot drain by gravity, a condensate pump may be required. This is common when the indoor unit is mounted on an internal wall or where the drain cannot fall naturally to the outside. The pump collects condensate water from the indoor unit and pumps it to a suitable drain point. A good allowance is around $500, depending on the pump location and drain route.
Longer pipe runs
An internal wall or short roof-space run may add around $500 for extra line set, drain, ducting, cable and labour. Longer or more awkward runs can cost more.
Electrical circuits
Smaller units can often be connected to a suitable local power circuit. Larger units, often around 5kW and above, may require a dedicated circuit back to the switchboard. Access to the switchboard, roof space or underfloor space can affect the cost.
Wall brackets and scaffolding
Upper-level outdoor units, difficult walls and access limitations can require wall brackets, extra labour or scaffolding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a back-to-back installation?
This usually means the indoor unit is mounted on an external wall and the outdoor unit is directly behind it outside. It normally uses a short pipe run and is often the most cost-effective option.
Why are some heat pump quotes so different?
Quotes can vary because of unit brand, size, line set length, electrical work, drainage, mounting, access and what is included in the installation.
Do larger heat pumps cost more to install?
Often yes. Larger units cost more to buy and may require larger copper line sets, bigger outdoor units and sometimes a dedicated electrical circuit.
Do I need a dedicated circuit?
Smaller units can often use a suitable local circuit, but larger units may need a dedicated circuit back to the switchboard.
When and why do I need a condensate pump?
Your indoor heat pump produces water when it is running in cooling or drying mode. Normally this condensate water drains away by gravity through a drain pipe to outside. If the indoor unit is on an internal wall, below the ideal drain route, or somewhere that cannot drain naturally, a condensate pump may be needed to lift and pump that water to a suitable drain point. A good allowance is around $500, depending on the job, pump location and drain route.
How long does a heat pump installation take?
A straightforward back-to-back installation is generally completed in around 4–5 hours. More complex installations, such as internal wall installs, longer pipe runs, difficult access, wall brackets or extra electrical work, can take around 6–7 hours and sometimes longer depending on the site.
Can I supply my own heat pump?
This depends on the installer. Some installers prefer to supply the unit so they can stand behind the product, warranty and installation quality.
Do I need Wi-Fi with my heat pump?
You do not strictly need Wi-Fi, but many homeowners find it one of the most useful features. Wi-Fi gives you an easy phone app interface for timers, schedules and temperature control. You can turn the heat pump on before you get home, turn it off remotely if you forget, and on some models view energy usage or operating information. If you want simple scheduling and remote control, Wi-Fi is well worth considering.
Is Wi-Fi included with a heat pump?
It depends on the model. Mitsubishi Electric AP Series models and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ciara models generally include Wi-Fi built in. Toshiba and Fujitsu models generally require an optional Wi-Fi module. In this estimator, Wi-Fi is kept as a simple optional add-on so the pricing stays as a ballpark guide.
Is the cheapest quote always the best?
Not necessarily. Check what is included, how the job will be finished, and whether proper testing and commissioning are included.
Related Guides
To keep this page focused on installation cost, these related questions are best covered in their own guides.
Want an accurate installed price?
A site visit is the best way to confirm unit size, pipe route, drainage, electrical supply and final installed cost.