Investing in a quality heat pump is your best bet when it comes to keeping your home comfortable throughout the year. In Auckland, where the climate can vary significantly, a reliable heat pump ensures you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This article will guide you through the best heat pumps available in Auckland, highlighting top brands, energy efficiency, and our expert recommendations.
Since 2015, OneAir has been providing heat pump solutions all across New Zealand. We have a wealth of knowledge having serviced and installed tens of thousands of heating solutions and are pleased to share some of that experience in the article below.
What is a Heat Pump and how does it work?
A heat pump uses electrical energy to extract warmth from the outside air and transfers it inside as heat. Although they may look identical to the air conditioners sold overseas which can provide air conditioning only, NZ units are equipped with a reverse valve, so that the same system can provide both heating and cooling.
Benefits of Heat Pumps
1. Energy Efficiency
Heat pumps are known for their high energy efficiency. They often deliver more than three times more heat energy output than the electrical energy they consume, making them the most cost-effective solution for home heating and cooling.
2. Environmentally Friendly
Heat pumps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by utilising electricity - which in NZ is mostly generated using renewable energy sources. This, especially when combined with their efficiency, makes them a ‘greener’ option compared to most alternative heating systems.
3. Versatility
Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, ensuring your home remains comfortable throughout the year, regardless of the season. They can also dehumidify and purify the air as well, albeit less effectively than dedicated filtration of dehumidifier systems can.
4. Smart home compatible
Many of the latest-generation heat pumps often have built-in WiFi adaptors built in. This allows you to operate them remotely via your smartphone or other device, no matter where in the world you are. Secondly, they can connect to smart home systems and be part of your overall home automation system.
Top Heat Pump Brands in Auckland
1. Mitsubishi Electric
Why It's Popular: Mitsubishi Electric is renowned for its high-quality, reliable heat pumps. Its products are energy-efficient and come with advanced features such as Wi-Fi control, advanced filtration systems and even different colour options. However, they are widely acknowledged to be the most expensive of all heat pump brands in NZ.
Top Models:
Mitsubishi Electric MSZ-GL Series: A popular model known for its quiet operation and energy efficiency.
Mitsubishi Electric MSZ-AP Series: Features a compact design and advanced filtration technology.
2. Daikin
Why It's Popular: Daikin is an Air Conditioning specialist whose heat pumps are seen as good value yet still regarded as a premium product. Daikin offers a wide range of models suitable for various home sizes and needs.
Top Models:
Daikin Cora Series: It offers a good feature set, energy efficiency, and quiet operation.
Daikin Zena Series: Known for its sleek European design and high performance.
3. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI)
Why It's Popular: MHI is known for its high scores in independent Consumer NZ Magazine tests with particular strengths in performance and efficiency.
Top Model:
MHI Avanti Plus: Suitable for small and medium-sized homes, the Avanti Plus range has higher performance and efficiency, not to mention more features than the standard Avanti range. Its 2.5kW model scored the highest overall ranking out of all the heat pumps in NZ that Consumer NZ tested this year.
4. Fujitsu
Why It's Popular: Fujitsu heat pumps are affordable, efficient, and reliable. Often seen advertised on TV, they are a well-known brand and popular choice for many households in Auckland.
Top Models:
Fujitsu ASTG09KMCA: Known for its compact design and efficient performance.
Fujitsu ASTG18KMTC: Offers powerful heating and cooling for larger spaces.
5. Panasonic
Why It's Popular: Panasonic heat pumps have been around a long time and are known for their innovative technology - one example of which is their Nanoe X, air filtration.
Top Models:
Panasonic Aero Series: Features advanced air purification and energy-saving technology.
Panasonic ECONAVI Series: Known for its intelligent sensors and high efficiency.
6. Samsung
Why It's Popular: Samsung heat pumps are new to the market and as you might expect from a company known for leading-edge technology, have advanced AI that boosts their efficiency.
Top Model:
Samsung Airify: Features AI as well as a WindFree mode that prevents cold draughts.
Key Heat Pump's Specification's to Look For
Capacity (kW): Choosing the correct capacity for your heat pump is crucial for efficient operation. A unit that's too small won't adequately heat or cool your home, while one that's too large will waste energy. A qualified installer will perform these calculations for you, but you can easily run your own numbers using online sizing tools as well. It is important to note that if your home is rented out, it needs to conform to minimum heating standards as defined by the NZ Government’s Tenancy Services department.
Energy Efficiency (EER and COP): Look for heat pumps with high energy efficiency ratings - COP in heating and EER for cooling. In both cases, the higher the number, the better. Note that smaller capacity heat pumps will generally have higher efficiency scores than larger ones.
Noise Levels (dB): Consider the heat pump's noise output, especially if it will be installed in or near bedrooms. The outdoor unit also produces noise, so look for a quiet one if you have neighbours closeby. As with energy efficiency, smaller heat pumps will generally be quieter than larger ones
3 Tips When Choosing a Heat Pump System
Assess Your Needs: Consider factors such as the size of your home, how exposed it is to direct sunlight, its insulation standard, and if you want to keep your existing heating systems. Also have a think about your priorities : do you intend to use your new system for cooling in summer, or mainly just for heating - or both?
Consult with a Professional: Provide this feedback to a heat pump specialist who will use this information to help determine the best make and model for your home. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations based on your unique requirements.
Consider the Long-Term Benefits: Investing in a higher-quality heat pump may have a steeper upfront cost, but it will save you money in the long run through reduced energy bills and lower maintenance costs. Also check with the installer to see what materials and processes they use, as these too can impact how long your system will last for.
Which Heat Pump Is Best?
Choosing the best heat pump in Auckland involves considering various factors such as brand reputation, energy efficiency, and your home’s specific needs. Top brands like Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Fujitsu, Panasonic, and Samsung offer a range of high-quality, reliable heat pumps that can provide efficient heating and cooling for your home.
Ultimately though, just having a good heat pump is not enough by itself: it needs to be the correct size for the conditions, the correct model to suit the user’s requirements and above all, needs to be installed properly using quality materials.
If you still have questions, the friendly team at OneAir is happy to help you reach the correct decision with free phone consultations, or site visits. Call us at 0800 ONEAIR (663 247), message us on Facebook or Google My Business or drop us an email at info@oneair.co.nz. We look forward to hearing from you!