Heat pumps are one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool your house. But they only work properly if theyre installed right. Bad installation means poor performance, high running costs, and breakdowns. Good installation means efficient heating, lower power bills, and system that lasts for years.
We install heat pumps all over Christchurch. Done hundreds of installs from small single room units to big whole house systems. Know what works in Christchurch conditions and how to do install properly so you get best performance from your heat pump.
Why Professional Installation Matters
Some people think heat pump installation is just mounting box on wall and plugging it in. Theres way more to it than that and getting it wrong causes heaps of problems.
Electrical work needs licensed electrician. Heat pumps draw significant power and need proper circuit, right cable size, correct protection. DIY electrical is illegal and dangerous.
Refrigerant work requires licensed refrigeration technician. Connecting refrigerant lines, evacuating air, pressure testing - all need specialized equipment and training. Mistakes here mean system wont work or will leak expensive refrigerant.
Positioning affects performance massively. Wrong location for outdoor unit means poor efficiency. Wrong spot for indoor unit means uneven heating or noise problems.
Condensate drainage gotta be done properly. Water from indoor unit needs somewhere to go. Bad drainage causes water damage to walls and ceilings.
Customer in Riccarton bought heat pump from cheap online supplier. Got handyman mate to install it to save money. Unit didnt heat properly, made weird noises, tripped breaker constantly. We got called to fix it. Had to basically redo whole install - wrong cable size, refrigerant lines kinked, condensate draining into wall cavity. Cost them way more than using proper installer first time.
Choosing Right Size Heat Pump
Size matters heaps with heat pumps. Too small wont heat space properly. Too big costs more upfront and cycles on off constantly which is inefficient.
Room size is starting point. Bigger room needs bigger heat pump. But its not just floor area - ceiling height matters too cause your heating volume not just area.
Insulation level affects what size you need. Well insulated house retains heat better so needs smaller unit. Poorly insulated house needs bigger unit to compensate for heat loss.
Window area and orientation matter. Big windows facing sun gain heat during day but lose heaps at night. North facing windows different from south facing.
Christchurch climate is moderate. We dont get extreme cold like down south or extreme heat like up north. This affects sizing - dont need massive units designed for much harsher conditions.
We do heat loss calculations to figure right size. Takes into account room size, insulation, windows, climate. Way better than just guessing based on floor area.
House in Papanui with big open plan living area. Customer wanted 7.5kw unit cause thats what their mate said. We did calculations and worked out they only needed 6kw cause house was well insulated. Saved them money on unit and better efficiency cause its not oversized.
Single Room vs Multi Room Systems
Deciding between single room units or multi room system depends on what your heating.
Single room units heat one space. Good for main living area or bedroom. Simple installation, lower upfront cost. Most people start with living room unit then add bedroom units later if needed.
Multi room systems have one outdoor unit connected to multiple indoor units. Can heat whole house from single system. More expensive upfront but more efficient than multiple single units.
Ducted systems hide all indoor components in ceiling and blow warm air through vents. Looks tidy but costs way more and harder to install in existing houses.
For most Christchurch houses we recommend single unit in main living area. This heats space where you spend most time. Add bedroom units if you want but living room unit is priority.
Indoor Unit Placement
Where you put indoor unit makes huge difference to how well it works and how much noise you deal with.
Height on wall affects air circulation. Too low and warm air pools at ceiling. Too high and cool air stays at floor. We typically install about 2 meters up which works well for most rooms.
Distance from ceiling matters for airflow. Need clearance above unit for air intake. Minimum 100mm but more is better.
Avoid putting unit where airflow gets blocked. Dont mount above couch or behind curtains. Air needs to circulate freely through room.
Consider furniture layout. Unit should blow air across room not directly at where people sit. Nobody wants heat pump blowing on them constantly.
Keep away from electronics and sensitive equipment if possible. Condensate can drip if drainage blocks and you dont want that on TV or computer.
Noise is consideration for bedrooms. Quieter units available and positioning away from bed helps. Some people prefer smaller quieter unit in bedroom even if bit less powerful.
Did install in Merivale bedroom. Customer wanted unit for winter but was worried about noise. We installed super quiet model on wall behind where bed goes. Unit is barely audible even when running full and they get cozy warm room for sleeping.
Outdoor Unit Placement
Outdoor unit location is just as important as indoor unit. Wrong spot causes performance and noise problems.
Airflow around outdoor unit is critical. Needs clear space in front for air intake and exhaust. Cramming it in tight corner restricts airflow and kills efficiency.
Distance from indoor unit affects installation cost. Longer refrigerant runs cost more and can reduce efficiency. We try to keep outdoor unit close to indoor unit where possible.
Sun exposure matters. Units work better in shade than baking in full sun. North facing location gets hammered by sun and reduces cooling efficiency in summer.
Noise travels. Outdoor unit makes noise when running. Dont put it under bedroom window or right outside neighbors bedroom. Near garage or away from living spaces is better.
Ground mounting is common. Brackets bolt to wall or concrete pad on ground. Wall mounting possible if no ground space available.
Condensate drainage from outdoor unit needs considering. Water drips from outdoor unit when cooling. Make sure it drains somewhere sensible not onto path or garden you care about.
House in Sumner backing onto neighbors. Customer wanted outdoor unit on north wall cause closest to indoor unit. But that wall is right next to neighbors bedroom window. We put unit on east wall instead - bit longer refrigerant run but no noise complaints from neighbors.
Electrical Requirements
Heat pumps need proper electrical supply. This aint optional its code requirement and safety issue.
Dedicated circuit required for heat pump. Cant just plug it into existing power point. Needs own circuit from switchboard to outdoor unit.
Cable size depends on heat pump power. Small units might need 2.5mm cable, bigger units need 4mm or even 6mm. Using cable thats too small is dangerous and illegal.
Circuit protection sized correctly for cable and load. Breaker in switchboard needs to match cable capacity and heat pump draw.
RCD protection mandatory for safety. Heat pump circuit must be RCD protected to prevent electrocution.
Isolator at outdoor unit required by code. Needs to be accessible so unit can be isolated for service or emergency.
We run dedicated circuit from switchboard, install proper cable, set up correct protection, connect everything safely. All certified and compliant.
Refrigerant Line Installation
Refrigerant lines connect indoor and outdoor units. Getting this right is critical for system performance.
Line size matters. Wrong size refrigerant lines reduce efficiency and can damage compressor. We use manufacturer specified sizes.
Proper insulation prevents condensation and energy loss. Lines gotta be fully insulated with closed cell foam. Gaps in insulation cause dripping and waste energy.
Bends and kinks affect refrigerant flow. We keep lines as straight as practical and any bends are gradual not sharp kinks.
Vacuum and pressure testing before charging system. This removes air and moisture from lines and tests for leaks. Skip this step and system performs poorly or fails.
Refrigerant charging done precisely. Too much or too little refrigerant kills efficiency. We follow manufacturer specs exactly.
Leak testing after charging verifies no refrigerant escaping. Even small leak means reduced performance and environmental damage.
Condensate Drainage
Indoor unit produces condensate water that needs draining properly. Mess this up and you get water damage.
Gravity drainage works where possible. Pipe slopes down from indoor unit to outside or into drainage point. Simple and reliable if you got right location.
Condensate pump needed if cant drain by gravity. Pump lifts water to drainage point. More complex and can fail but sometimes only option.
Outside drainage is easiest. Pipe runs through wall to outside and drips onto ground or into drain. Keep drip point away from paths and foundations.
Into household drainage possible but needs proper trap to prevent smells. Some councils have rules about this so check first.
Regular maintenance of condensate system prevents blockages. Algae can grow in lines and block drainage. We recommend annual clean.
Installed unit in Fendalton where indoor unit was on inside wall far from outside. Couldnt drain by gravity. Installed condensate pump in ceiling that pushes water to bathroom drainage. Works perfect and customer dosnt see pump or pipes.
Installation Process
Heat pump installation follows specific steps. Heres how proper install goes.
Site assessment comes first. We check locations for indoor and outdoor units, plan cable and refrigerant routes, identify any issues.
Indoor unit mounting involves finding studs or installing backing board, mounting bracket level and secure, hanging unit.
Outdoor unit installation includes setting concrete pad or wall brackets, positioning unit level, securing properly.
Electrical work means running cable from switchboard, installing isolator, connecting power to outdoor unit, testing.
Refrigerant lines get run from outdoor to indoor unit, properly insulated, secured neatly, connected at both ends.
Vacuum and pressure test removes air, tests for leaks, ensures system integrity.
Charging system with refrigerant done precisely to manufacturer specs.
Condensate drainage installed and tested to verify water drains properly.
Final testing includes running system through all modes, checking temperatures, verifying controls work, testing safety features.
Customer walkthrough shows them how to use system, explains maintenance requirements, answers questions.
Typical single unit install takes 4-6 hours. Multi room systems take longer depending on how many indoor units.
Common Installation Mistakes
Seen heaps of dodgy heat pump installs over the years. These are mistakes that keep coming up.
Undersized electrical cable causes voltage drop and potential fire hazard. Cables get hot under load and insulation fails.
Poor refrigerant line insulation leads to condensation dripping everywhere and energy waste. Seen lines with gaps in insulation or cheap foam that deteriorates.
Kinked refrigerant lines restrict flow and kill efficiency. Happens when installers try to force lines through tight spaces.
No vacuum process before charging means air and moisture in system. Causes poor performance and can damage compressor.
Blocked airflow around outdoor unit from positioning too close to walls or fences. Unit cant breathe and overheats.
Condensate drainage into wall cavity instead of properly outside or into drain. Causes hidden water damage.
No isolation switch at outdoor unit is code violation. Makes servicing dangerous and fails inspection.
Got called to house in Halswell where heat pump barely worked. Previous installer had kinked refrigerant line going through wall, skipped vacuum process, used undersized cable. We fixed everything but cost customer heaps when proper install first time wouldve been way cheaper.
Testing And Commissioning
After installation we test everything thoroughly before leaving. This verifies system works properly and safely.
Electrical testing includes checking voltage, verifying RCD works, testing breaker operation, checking earth continuity.
Refrigerant system testing confirms correct pressures, checks for leaks, verifies superheat and subcooling are in spec.
Temperature testing measures air temperature in and out to verify heating and cooling capacity.
Noise testing especially important for bedroom installs. We verify sound levels are acceptable.
Controls testing makes sure remote works, all modes function, timers operate, safety shutoffs work.
Condensate testing involves running unit and checking water drains properly without leaks or blockages.
Everything gets documented. Test results, settings, any notes about installation. This helps with future service and warranty claims.
Certification And Compliance
Heat pump installation needs proper certification. This proves works been done legally and safely.
Electrical certificate of compliance required for electrical work. We issue COC after install showing electrical work meets code.
Refrigeration license needed for refrigerant work. Only licensed person can connect and charge refrigerant systems.
Building consent sometimes required depending on situation. Wall penetrations or structural work might need consent.
Council usually wants to know about heat pumps even if consent not required. Documentation helps if you sell house later.
Warranty registration with manufacturer should be done after install. Protects your investment if unit fails.
We handle all certification and paperwork. You get copies of everything for your records.
Cost Of Heat Pump Installation
Installation cost varies depending on unit size and complexity. Heres rough guide to what you can expect.
Small single room unit installed might be 600-1000 for installation labor plus unit cost. Simple installs where outdoor unit is close to indoor unit and electrical is straightforward.
Medium units or trickier installs might be 1000-1500 installation. Longer refrigerant runs, electrical upgrades needed, difficult access.
Large units or multi room systems can be 1500-3000+ installation. Complex routing, multiple indoor units, major electrical work.
Unit cost is separate. Entry level units start around 1500, mid range 2000-3500, premium units 4000+. Multi room systems way more expensive.
Extra costs can include electrical switchboard upgrade if existing board cant handle load, building consent if required, difficult access requiring scaffolding or special equipment.
We quote installation based on site assessment. Covers electrical, refrigeration, all materials, testing, certification.
Maintenance After Installation
Heat pump needs regular maintenance to keep working efficiently. We explain this during install.
Filter cleaning every month or so depending on use. Dirty filters kill airflow and efficiency. Takes 5 minutes and makes huge difference.
Annual professional service recommended. We check refrigerant levels, clean coils, test operation, catch problems early.
Outdoor unit needs keeping clear. Trim plants back, remove debris, make sure airflow not blocked.
Condensate drainage check occasionally. Make sure water still draining properly and lines not blocked.
Operating tips help too. Dont constantly change temperature. Let it run at steady temp for best efficiency. Use timer to warm house before you get home rather than running 24/7.
Why Choose WeDo For Heat Pump Installation
We specialize in heat pump installation across Christchurch. Got the licenses, experience, and equipment to do it properly.
Fully licensed electricians and refrigeration technicians. Can do complete install not just electrical or just refrigeration.
Proper sizing advice based on heat loss calculations not guesses. You get right size unit for your space.
Quality installation following manufacturer specs and building code. Work passes inspection and performs properly.
All certification and paperwork handled. You get compliant install with proper documentation.
Warranty on installation work. If somethings wrong with our install we fix it.
Ongoing service and support. We maintain units we install and help with any issues.
If your looking to install heat pump give us a call. Well assess your needs, recommend right unit, and do professional installation that gives you efficient heating and cooling for years.