How do I choose the right heating and cooling solution for my home?

Key considerations include: the size of the area you wish to heat or cool, if you want to heat or cool just one room or your entire home, the local climate, the number of windows in the area, insulation in the walls and possible location options. For an electric heating and cooling solution, we recommend that you have an Accredited Heat Pump professional do a full assessment of your home and your comfort requirements to ensure you get the correct heat pump and sizing for your geographical location and unique requirements. For more information, take a look at our ‘How to Choose the Right Heating & Cooling Solution for your Unique Space’ blog article.

What size Heat Pump will I need for my home?

Every home is as individual as its owner in its requirements and choosing the wrong size Heat Pump for the room you are wanting to heat can leave you cold and cost you more in power consumption. Correctly determining the size of equipment for your space is critical and directly relates to how much energy or heat the unit can produce. An undersized unit will be ineffective in bringing a room to the desired temperature, while an oversized unit will turn off and on frequently, causing wear and tear. Aspects to be considered include – the size of the room you wish to heat; how many doors and windows it has and how they are situated; is the room insulated - to name a few. Because of the technical nature of correct sizing, the key to selecting the right size Heat Pump for your home is an assessment and discussion of your needs with an accredited Heat Pump professional.

Will a Heat Pump heat my entire house?

Typically, Heat Pumps are sized and installed to heat a single room or area. To heat your whole home, you may need several Heat Pumps, or a Ducted Heating & Cooling System. For more on Ducted Heat Pump Systems take a look at our 'What is a Ducted Heat Pump System' blog article.

How do I maintain my Heat Pump?

Just like your car, a properly maintained & regularly serviced Heat Pump will perform better than a neglected one. A Heat Pump with clogged air filters needs to work harder to provide the same amount of heat as a clean one, and that performance reduction is reflected in the cost to run and the output – and ultimately in your power bill. Home maintenance is simple enough - to ensure good airflow and to keep it operating at peak efficiency just vacuum the filter from the indoor unit once a month. Also make sure you keep the area around your outdoor unit clear from any plant matter, rubbish or debris. It is also important that you don’t place anything directly on top or around your outdoor unit that may compromise the airflow and in turn compromise its performance. Take a look at our 'Looking After Your Heat Pump' article for more information.

How frequently should I have my Heat Pump serviced?

Heat Pump servicing is often overlooked as an integral part of maintaining the longevity and efficiency of the unit. It is recommended that you have your Heat Pump professionally serviced every 12 months, ideally before the start of winter, to ensure your unit is working optimally. Whilst DIY home maintenance will help keep your unit working effectively and efficiently, it does not replace the need to have your system professionally serviced by an accredited Heat Pump Air Conditioning technician. A professional service will ensure your system will operate smoothly and efficiently delivering comfort to your home environment whilst extending the life of your investment. As a guideline, your Heat Pump should be serviced annually.

How long does it take to install a Heat Pump?

Experienced and qualified installers usually take somewhere around 3-4 hours for a straightforward back-to-back (where the indoor unit and outdoor unit are positioned directly opposite each other on the interior and exterior of a wall) Heat Pump installation. More complex Heat Pump installations will take a bit longer. Ducted systems can take between one to two days depending on the amount of spaces to be ducted. Installing a Heat Pump is a complex process requiring qualified trade professionals so must ALWAYS be undertaken by a reputable accredited installation company. It is recommended that you have your Heat Pump professionally serviced every 12 months, ideally before the start of winter, to ensure your unit is working optimally. Whilst DIY home maintenance will help keep your unit working effectively and efficiently, it does not replace the need to have your system professionally serviced by an accredited Heat Pump Air Conditioning technician. A professional service will ensure your system will operate smoothly and efficiently delivering comfort to your home environment whilst extending the life of your investment. As a guideline, your Heat Pump should be serviced annually.

Should I keep my Heat Pump running 24 hours a day?

Common sense tells us that no heating appliance should be used 24 hours a day. Using your heat pump correctly is using it as required. If you are not home during the day, there is no need to run your heat pump during the day, adding to your power bills unnecessarily. If your home has good insulation, a couple of hours in the morning and a few hours in the evening should suffice.

What is “defrost mode”?

When the temperature drops, Heat Pumps perform a defrost cycle to remove ice build-up on the outdoor heat exchanger. Ice build-up occurs during the heat process as the outdoor unit takes the moisture and heat from the air. The defrost cycle is a necessary part of the Heat Pump’s operation, as the airflow can be restricted if the heat exchanger is covered in ice, which will subsequently affect its efficiency. Ice also acts as a thermal insulation barrier on the heat exchanger preventing heat absorption. By defrosting the heat exchanger the unit’s efficiency increases. In defrost mode the Heat Pump will stop heating for short periods of time and it’s important not to turn your system off when it’s going through this cycle.

How long is the Warranty period on a Heat Pump?

The average warranty period for a new Heat Pump in New Zealand is five years but Rinnai offer a 6 year warranty when the Heat Pump is installed by a Rinnai Accredited Installer (5 years for non-accredited installers).