Hot water is one of the biggest energy uses in a New Zealand home. A heat pump water heater works like a fridge in reverse: it pulls heat out of the outside air and moves it into the water, so most of the energy comes from the air rather than through your power meter.
We install split and all-in-one heat pump water heaters across Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri, usually in place of an old electric cylinder or an LPG water heater. Christchurch winters are much colder than the North Island cities these systems are often sold in, so we look at your site, your power plan and how cold the spot for the outdoor unit gets before recommending anything.
Pricing: quotes are free, and every job gets a fixed price before we start, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
Heat Pump Hot Water Jobs We Handle Across Christchurch
- Heat pump hot water cylinder
- Heat pump hot water installation
- Replacing electric cylinders
- Heat pump hot water servicing
- Running cost comparisons
- Solar-ready systems
How the savings work
EECA's market research found that importers and manufacturers claim a coefficient of performance of roughly 3 to 4, meaning three to four units of heat for each unit of electricity, and energy savings of 60% to 80% compared with traditional electric and gas water heating. Those are manufacturer claims based on test standards. EECA also notes there is currently no mandated efficiency testing for heat pump water heaters in New Zealand, and it is running a real-world monitoring project in homes.
In a cold climate the honest answer is that the savings will be at the lower end in mid-winter, because a heat pump has less heat to work with when the air is near freezing. We price the job on realistic running costs, not the brochure number.
Heat pumps and Christchurch frosts
Christchurch averages about 80 ground frost days a year, and the airport records around 50 nights a year below zero. The central city averages only about 23, so where you are matters: open sites away from the centre see far more frosty nights. That does not rule a heat pump out, but it does change the choice.
We look for models rated to keep heating at low outdoor temperatures and with a defrost cycle that copes with frost on the coil, and we size the cylinder so the system can do most of its heating in the warmer part of the day. The outdoor unit goes where it gets air and, ideally, some afternoon sun, and the condensate is drained away so it cannot ice up a path or a deck. Pipes between the unit and the cylinder are fully lagged, because the same frost that splits a garden tap can freeze an exposed water line.
How It Works
Split, all-in-one or outdoor?
There are three common layouts, and the right one depends on your house:
- Split systems: an outdoor unit piped to a cylinder inside or outside, the most flexible on placement and often the best fit for a cold site
- All-in-one units: the heat pump sits on top of the cylinder, simpler to install, but it needs a large volume of air around it and somewhere sensible for cold exhaust air
- Outdoor cylinder versions: free up indoor space, popular on newer homes with no spare cupboard
- Timer control: most systems can be set to heat when your power is cheapest
Power, Orion and MainPower
In Christchurch and Selwyn the lines company is Orion, and its network peaks on very cold winter mornings and evenings. Orion can also use ripple control on hot water cylinders. A heat pump water heater set to run outside those peaks suits both your bill and the network. North of the Waimakariri River, in Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Pegasus, the lines company is MainPower, so the details of controlled tariffs come from your retailer on that network.
If you are also replacing a wood burner that has reached its expiry date under Environment Canterbury's Clean Air rules with an electric heat pump, have an electrician check the switchboard can carry both.
Cost and installation
We give a free quote once we have seen the site. A heat pump costs more upfront than a standard cylinder, and the payback comes from lower running costs over its life. The price depends on system type and capacity, the distance between the outdoor unit and the cylinder, removal of the old cylinder or LPG heater, electrical work, and mounting pads or brackets.
A heat pump water heater is still a hot water cylinder, so it gets the same valve set, a tempering valve and seismic restraint as any other install. The electrical connection is completed by a registered electrician, and any LPG appliance being removed is capped and certified by a gasfitter.
Why Choose Cheeky's Plumbers for Heat Pump Hot Water
Chosen for a cold site
We look at how cold and exposed the spot for the outdoor unit is, and recommend models that keep heating in frost rather than relying on the backup element all winter.
Frost-safe installation
Condensate drained clear of paths, water lines lagged, and the outdoor unit placed for airflow and winter sun where the site allows it.
Timer set to your power plan
We set the system to heat outside the winter peaks and when your power is cheapest, so the savings show up on the bill.
Straight about the numbers
Efficiency figures are manufacturer claims, not mandated New Zealand test results, so we price the job on realistic Christchurch running costs.
Full cylinder install standard
Valves, a tempering valve and seismic restraint go in as on any cylinder, with the electrical connection completed by a registered electrician.
Heat Pump Hot Water FAQs
Do heat pump water heaters work in a Christchurch winter?
Yes, but they are less efficient in cold air, and some models cope with frost much better than others. We choose a system rated for low outdoor temperatures and size it for winter.
How much power does a heat pump hot water system save?
Manufacturers claim around 60% to 80% compared with standard electric water heating, according to EECA's market research. Real savings depend on your usage, your power plan and how cold the site gets.
Can I replace my LPG hot water with a heat pump?
Yes. We remove or cap the LPG appliance safely, certify the gas work, and install the heat pump in its place.
Are heat pump water heaters noisy?
The outdoor unit hums like an air conditioner. We place it away from bedrooms and neighbours where the site allows.
Is there a government rebate for heat pump hot water?
We do not price jobs on rebates. Check EECA's website for any current programmes before you buy.
How long does installation take?
Most installs are done in a day, plus the electrician's connection.
Heat Pump Hot Water Across Christchurch
Our heat pump hot water team works in every Christchurch suburb. Find your local plumbers:
Heat Pump Hot Water Guides
- Best Hot Water System in Christchurch: Heat Pump, LPG or Electric?
- Wetbacks in Christchurch: Clean Air Rules and What Comes Next
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