Heat pumps
Heat pump installation in Mount Eden
A heat pump can make a Mount Eden villa far more comfortable through winter, as long as it is the right size, in the right place and on a circuit that can carry it. Our registered electricians plan the installation around the house rather than squeezing a unit onto the nearest wall.
Choosing the right system
Heat pumps move heat rather than make it, which is why they are so efficient: EECA, the government's energy efficiency agency, says the average heat pump in New Zealand puts out around three times more heat than the power it uses. There are three main ways to set one up.
A single-split system, one outdoor unit and one indoor unit, suits the lounge of a bungalow or one of the interwar flats around Mt Eden Road. A multi-split runs several indoor units off one outdoor unit, which works well in a villa where the lounge, the kitchen and a bedroom or two all need heat. A ducted system feeds warm air through ducts to vents in each room, and in a villa or bungalow the ducts usually run through the ceiling space or under the floor. EECA notes it can cost more up front, but it keeps the rooms free of wall units.
Where the units go
The indoor unit
EECA's guidance is high on an exterior wall and away from corners, so the air can circulate through the room. In a villa with spacious rooms, that usually means the long outside wall of the lounge rather than a short wall squeezed between a window and a door.
The outdoor unit
Ideally within about 15 metres of the indoor unit, with clear space on each side for airflow and room for servicing. Down the side of the house or at the back is common, on a pad or a wall bracket.
The neighbours
Outdoor units make some noise and move a lot of air. We look at where that goes, including toward a neighbour's bedroom window, before settling on a spot.
Flats and shared walls
In a block of flats, the outdoor unit may need to go on a shared wall or roof, so check with the body corporate or the other owners before the installation is booked.
The electrical side
A heat pump is a big load to add to a house that was wired long before anyone imagined one. It normally gets its own circuit from the switchboard, with an isolating switch beside the outdoor unit so it can be safely worked on. In an older Mount Eden home, the first question is whether the board has the space and the capacity for that circuit. Where it does not, a new switchboard may be part of the job, and where the existing wiring is in poor shape, it makes sense to look at rewiring the older circuits while we are there.
When the installation is finished, the electrical work is tested and you receive a Certificate of Compliance for the new circuit.
Heat pump questions
What size heat pump does a villa lounge need?
It depends on the room's size, its ceiling height, how much glass it has and how well it is insulated. Large rooms with high ceilings and plenty of glass need more capacity than a smaller, well insulated room, so we look at the room before recommending a size.
Should I insulate first?
If you can. EECA notes that a properly insulated home means the heat pump does not have to work as hard, and thermal curtains and draught stoppers help too.
Is it cheaper to leave it running all the time?
No. EECA calls that a myth: running a heat pump only when you are home, with a timer to warm the room before you arrive, uses less energy.
What temperature should I set it to?
EECA suggests between 18 and 21 degrees: 18 or above helps fight damp and mould, and staying below 21 saves power.
Does a heat pump need looking after?
Yes. EECA recommends cleaning the removable filter about once a month during winter, with a vacuum cleaner or warm water.
Warmer before winter
Call 021 156 4005 at any hour for a call-out, or send the details of the job and we will get back to you.
More electrical services in Mount Eden
Rewiring
Planned rewiring for villas, bungalows and interwar flats, done room by room and tested and certified when it is finished.Switchboard replacement
Old fuse boards replaced with circuit breakers and RCD protection, with the licensed inspection arranged for you when the work needs one.Emergency call-outs and fault finding
Electricians on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for lost power, tripping circuits, hot sockets and faults that keep coming back.Lighting
LED downlights, pendants, dimmers and outdoor lighting for paths, decks and gardens.TV aerials and wall-mounting
TV aerials, wall-mounted screens and the power and cabling behind them, run tidily through older walls.Commercial electrical
Electrical work for shops, cafes, offices and kitchens along Mt Eden Road and Dominion Road.Mount Eden enquiries
Contact us
Ring 021 156 4005 for anything urgent, day or night. For everything else, leave your details and a short description of the job below.
021 156 4005- Auckland
- Call-outs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week