What to Consider When Buying a Heat Pump?

Winter in New Zealand is a time when electricity bills spike up - and skyrocketing bills is something we all want to avoid nowadays!

Heating your home the right way is essential during the cold months, but you’d also want to avoid high power consumption. Reducing your power bill with the right heat pump is one of the best solutions. When you buy a heat pump, keep in mind that it’s not just about the price. You should also consider the star rating and the type of heat pumps, and the size of your home. Why are they important?

Let’s take a look at the important factors to consider when buying a heat pump.

Types of heat pumps

Heat pumps have dual functions: they cool and warm your home, making them one of the most energy efficient appliances in the home. Heat pumps in NZ have generally two types: standalone and ducted. 

Standalone heat pumps are designed to warm a certain part of your house, as they have a single outdoor unit, making the air focused in an area. This is ideal when you want to save on energy, as you can quickly and easily heat up a small room. 

Ducted heat pumps distribute cool or warm air, and give you control over the temperature in your home. Warm and cool air are distributed through ducts and managed by a single control system, which means the temperature will be consistent throughout the house. Compared to standalone, ducted heat pumps are more expensive due to the installation process. 

Which type is best for your home? This depends on your purpose and property size. If you’re going to buy a heat pump for your own room, or for a small space, standalone heat pumps would suffice. Not only are they budget-friendly, they are easy to install. If you’re going to hibernate with the rest of the family for the winter and would like a cozy home, ducted heat pumps are the best fit because they can control air temperature across the house. 

Property size

The number, size, and type of heat pumps to buy depends on the size of your property. Bigger dimensions need stronger and larger heat pumps; while smaller dimensions can suffice with smaller and cheaper heat pumps. Smaller heat pumps should also be placed in strategic areas in such a way that it can warm the entire room and distribute heat easily throughout the home. Among other recommendations, Energy Efficient Solutions suggests 2 Panasonic Aero Series 20VKR and 1 Panasonic Aero Series 35VKR for large properties. A Mitsubishi HyperCore KJ50 can be hung on the wall, suiting a home with 1 to 2 bedrooms. 

Insulation is another option that you can include when you install a heat pump, as it helps to keep the place warmer. Insulation works to lock the warmth in, therefore helping to retain heat in the home. When you have proper insulation, your heat pump can be smaller and cheaper.

Star rating

Last but not least, and perhaps, the most important; star ratings are another factor to consider. Kiwis want high quality appliances, and looking at the rating is one way to tell the best of the lot. Luckily, heat pumps in NZ are all required to have a star rating. Heat pumps must also qualify for a Minimum Energy Performance Standard. The Coefficient of Performance is the rating for heating while the Energy Efficiency Rating is for cooling. The more stars on the rating means greater energy efficiency. Not only does the rating ensure the quality of heat pumps, it also affirms environmental friendliness. 

Meanwhile, a heat pump with a blue Energy Star label guarantees energy efficiency by international standards. It’s a prestigious label, a benchmark for outstanding and eco-friendly performance.

Save more money with the right provider

If you’re in the market to buy a heat pump, keep in mind the type, your property size, and the star rating. If you want to further cut costs during the winter, one of the best ways to do so is to select your provider well. Your electricity bill may be inevitable, but it doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to keep it low and affordable. To see if you can save on your power bill, head on over to our power comparison tool. Here, you can see all the latest power plans and determine if you can save by switching to a new provider.