Updated September 2026. This is Frost Industries’ Wellington-focused decision hub for homeowners and businesses comparing heat pumps, ducted systems and hot water heat pumps. The figures below are sourced from current New Zealand guidance and are intended to help people ask better questions before buying.
Wellington heat pump numbers worth knowing
- 3–5× heating output for the input energy: EECA says heat pumps can provide around three to five times as much heating for the same input energy as gas heaters.
- About $4,400: EECA’s current indicative upfront figure for a heat pump including purchase and installation. Actual Frost pricing depends on capacity, model, pipe run, electrical work, access and installation conditions.
- 15 years: EECA’s indicative technology lifespan for a heat pump.
- 18–21°C: EECA’s suggested efficient comfort range, with higher set temperatures generally using more energy.
- Hot water heat pumps can use around one-third of the energy required by an electric resistance hot water cylinder or gas water heating, according to EECA.
- Hot water running-cost savings can be around 60% versus electric resistance cylinders or piped gas, and around 75% versus LPG, according to EECA modelling.
Sources: Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA), current NZ guidance. These are national indicative figures, not guarantees for a particular Wellington property.
The Frost Wellington Comfort Index
A heat pump quote should not be based on floor area alone. For Wellington properties, Frost looks at the things that can materially change the result:
| Factor | Why it matters | What can change |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation | Heat loss changes the heating load. | Required capacity and running time |
| Glazing | Large or older glazing can increase losses. | Capacity and placement |
| Ceiling height | You are heating volume, not just floor area. | Required output |
| Winter sun | Solar gain can materially change a room. | Load through the day |
| Wind/exposure | Wellington sites can be highly exposed. | Heat loss and outdoor-unit positioning |
| Coastal air | Salt exposure matters for equipment location and longevity. | Outdoor-unit placement and maintenance |
| Room layout | Air does not magically turn corners. | Single split vs multi-room vs ducted |
| Noise sensitivity | Bedrooms, neighbours and boundaries matter. | Unit choice and placement |
Which system type fits the job?
| Need | Usually worth investigating |
|---|---|
| One living area | Single split high-wall or floor console |
| Several separate rooms | Multi-split or multiple individual systems |
| Whole-home comfort with minimal visible indoor equipment | Ducted heat pump |
| Existing system not heating, cooling, draining or operating properly | Diagnostics before replacement |
| High hot-water energy use or an ageing cylinder | Hot water heat pump assessment |
| Commercial space | Site-specific HVAC design and maintenance plan |
Five questions every Wellington heat pump quote should answer
- What heating capacity was calculated for the actual room or building?
- Why is this model and capacity being recommended?
- Where will the indoor and outdoor units go, and why?
- What exactly is included in the installation price?
- Who handles diagnostics, servicing and warranty issues after installation?
Heat pump sizing: why Frost does not use a one-number internet rule
Correct sizing is one of the most important parts of heat pump design. EECA’s installation guidance says the heat-load requirement should be calculated from the property information and ambient conditions. Consumer NZ also warns that an undersized system can struggle to heat the space, while an oversized system can cost more than necessary and operate inefficiently.
That is why Frost uses a free assessment rather than pretending a square-metre calculator can replace site-specific design.
Hot water heat pumps: the numbers are getting interesting
EECA says hot water heat pumps can use around a third of the energy needed by electric resistance hot water cylinders or gas water heating. Its current modelling indicates they can be around 60% cheaper to run than electric resistance cylinders or piped gas water heating and around 75% cheaper than LPG. Actual savings depend on household water use, electricity tariffs, system efficiency, installation and the system being replaced.
Frost supplies and installs hot water heat pump options, including Rinnai systems, subject to the property and project requirements.
What Frost currently covers
Heat pump installation, ducted heating and cooling, hot water heat pumps, ventilation, diagnostics, repairs, servicing and commercial HVAC across the wider Wellington Region, including Wellington City, Porirua, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Kāpiti Coast, with projects across Wairarapa and Manawatū.
Independent NZ sources behind this page
- EECA: Heat pumps
- EECA: Home energy savings calculator
- EECA: Hot water heat pumps
- EECA: Good practice guide to heat pump installation
- Consumer NZ: Heat pump buying guide
Want the property-specific answer?
The useful number is not the national average. It is the capacity, system type and installation design that suits your building. Frost provides free home or business assessments subject to location and availability.
Call 0800 346 358 or request an assessment through the Frost Industries website.
Important information
Figures on this page are general New Zealand guidance and are not a quote, performance guarantee or promise of savings. Actual performance, running costs, installation cost and savings vary by property, usage, tariffs, climate, equipment, maintenance and installation. Product availability and finance terms may change. Consumer rights under applicable New Zealand law are not excluded.