Heat Pumps

A heat pump (also known as a reverse cycle air conditioner) is a device that extracts heat energy from one volume of air and transfers it to another. So one body of air gets warmer, while the other gets cooler.

They can be used to:

• heat in the winter
• cool in the summer
• dehumidify the air
• circulate & filter the air

PERL businesses are locally owned and operated.  As such you can be confident of getting the full attention from the moment our trusted PERL electricians arrive on site. Whether for a big job or a small one, the finished result will be guaranteed as safe, compliant, and the optimal solution for your specific requirements.

Heat pumps do not generate heat but draw it from one body of air and transfer it to another. In the same way as a fridge operates, a heat pump uses compressed gas and then allows it to expand, extracting heat as it does so.

So even if the air outside is freezing, heat pumps extract heat energy and transfer it inside to keep you warm. Whereas in the hot summer months the system works in reverse, drawing heat from indoors and pumping it outside leaving you comfortable and cool.

Heat pumps offer many benefits over other forms of heating. They are significantly cheaper to run, giving up to 4 times more heat than you pay for. They also can be used all year round for cooling, air filtering and dehumidification. They are a safe, economical and easy to use.

Unlike fires or electric heaters, Heat pumps produce low density heat which is safe for children and the elderly. They are unparalleled for convenience and user-friendliness (Remote Controlled). They don’t pollute our atmosphere as with products for combustion and they use ozone friendly refrigerants.

Inverter systems save energy by using a variable controlled (speed) compressor. Because the output is controlled it only provides the energy required to keep the room to the set temperature. By reducing the output required less power is used and this reduces power use significantly. Inverter control is not only exceptionally economical but also keeps you more comfortable.

The key to selecting the right heat pump solution for your home or business is to undertake an accurate assessment of the heat that needs to be moved into your home in winter for heating and out of your home in summer for cooling.

This should be performed by an experienced and qualified electrician. 

The amount of heating needed will depend on the potential for heat loss through walls, windows, doors and roofs. Good insulation is recommended to minimise heat loss. An older style home with poor insulation will lose indoor heat much quicker than a modern well insulated north facing home. By insulating first, the size of heat pump required will be smaller and therefore more economical to run.  In a nutshell, the quicker a home or business loses its heat, the bigger the heat pump system is required to overcome this heat loss.

No, Heat pumps are designed to be discreet in their size and style, with low noise levels. There are various types of heat pumps. Some can be fitted into existing fireplaces, be recessed into walls or mounted on walls close to the ceiling. Ducted split systems are space efficient because they are installed within the ceiling cavity.

There are various heat pump systems available:

Single-split system (one indoor unit and one outdoor unit) suitable for an individual room.

Multi-split system (multiple indoor units connected to one outdoor unit) suitable for multiple room solutions.

Ducted systems. One outdoor unit connected to one or more concealed indoor units with the heat distributed via ducting tubes to individual rooms. Suitable for whole house solutions.

This depends on the amount of heating required. Heat pumps transfer heat from outside air and in this way produce three to four times more heat. Its efficiency is 300% to 400%. This means for every 5kW of heating you pay for around 1.5kW of electric energy. Heat pump heating is roughly one quarter the cost of electric heating and about one third the cost of gas heating.

Modern Inverter Heat Pumps from the top manufacturers are very quiet. The source of noise in a typical Heat pump is air impinging on the grille as it is forced out of the unit. Air noise is marginally higher than ambient background noise and is usually not distracting.

Yes. Heat pumps are extremely reliable. They use the same process as a home fridge or freezer and have the same level of dependability and life expectancy. The top brands typically come with a 5 Year manufacturer’s warranty or more (Carrier).

All Heat Pumps sold in New Zealand are required to have a star rating and are required to meet a Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS).

The MEPS (Minimum Energy Performance Standard) for New Zealand is a COP (Coefficient of Performance) (Heating) and EER (Energy Efficiency Rating) (Cooling) of 2.3. All appliances that reach this level are awarded 2 stars. With every 0.3 increase in either the COP or EER the appliance is awarded an additional energy star.

All Heat Pumps have two separate star ratings, one for heating and one for cooling. The more stars the more energy efficient.

Because every home and business is unique, the installed cost of a heat pump is different for each and will depend on many different factors such as the brand, size and type of Heat pump as well as the distance and position of the external compressor unit away from the internal unit.

As PERL Electrical is a large national installer of heat pumps we frequently run national promotions.  Check out our current promotions at  HEAT PUMP PROMOTIONS

As a general guide though, a correctly installed heat pump should cost as follows:

Hi-Wall

A hi-wall inverter single system, suitable for a small area or bedroom, starts at approx. $2,000 for a 3kW unit including installation.

A single hi-wall type system for a medium sized living area starts at around $2,400 inclusive of installation.

A large open plan type living area will require a single split system between 5kW and 9kW. This type of unit costs between $3,000 and $4,500 inclusive of GST and installation.

Floor Console

If you’re struggling to find wall space or don't like the look of a High Wall heat pump then a floor console are sleek and unobtrusive systems designed to heat and cool from the ground up.  

A single floor console for a medium sized living area starts at around $2,700 inclusive of installation

Multi Room Split System

A multi room split system with one outdoor unit and: 2, 3 or 4 indoor units will cost from approximately $4,500, $6,000 and $7,000 inclusive of GST and install respectively.

Whole house Ducted Systems start at approximately $12,000.

No. Unlike fires and glowing electrical elements, heat pumps don’t burn oxygen and therefore don’t reduce a rooms oxygen.

Yes. Heat pumps have a range of filters that clean and purify the air:

Catechin Filter: Dust, mould spores and micro-organisms are absorbed onto the filter by static electricity and growth is inhibited and deactivated by the polyphenol ingredient extracted from apples.

Ion Deodorizing Filter: The filter deodorizes by powerfully decomposing absorbed odours using the oxidizing and reducing effects of ions generated by the ultrafine particle ceramic.

Plasma Filter: High performance electronic air cleaner removes dust and odour, improving indoor air quality.

In most cases a site visit will take approx. 30 minutes. With photos, PERL Electrical electricians may be able to give you an on-the-spot quotation if your planned installation is straightforward (back-to-back, good access and close to power mains). Otherwise, they will provide you with a quotation providing various possible options so you can make a choice based on your design needs and budget.