Your heat pump is only as good as its installation! You can choose the most expensive and feature-rich unit, but if it is not installed properly, your electricity bills will go through the roof and your unit won't last as long or perform as it should. The worst is that your upfront investment will also be at risk since shoddy installation voids manufacturer warranties.
With HeatPump Services you are in good hands. When we handle your heat pump installation Auckland homeowners can expect the work to be carried out by experienced and qualified installers who know how to :
We have the technical know-how and the specialised equipment needed to provide flawless installation, and we don't stop there. Our installers make sure that you know the tips and tricks of running the system for best performance.
Heat Pump Services technicians also ensure that you get the same top-notch service for system maintenance as you did for heat pump installation. So, continue reading to know about the installation process, heat pump cost NZ, and more.
Because we tailor the system to suit the unique requirements of your home and your family, the process starts with an on-site assessment. Our expert technicians visit your home and talk to you about your expectations and needs from the machine.
After a clear goal has been established, our team assesses your home for existing ductwork and heating systems and the insulation efficiency of the structure. They also calculate the precise heating and cooling load for your home. Based on this information, the technicians choose a system that fulfills all the requirements, and they give you a quote.
After the assessment process, your home is ready for the actual installation. In terms of time needed for heat pump installation Auckland homes need anywhere between 5 hours to 3 days, depending on the system and the existing temperature control components. However, the process typically involves these 7 steps:
The technicians will choose the ideal location for the installation of the outdoor and indoor components. Because the location of the units has a direct bearing on the performance of the system, several factors are considered such as:
At the chosen spot on the indoor wall, the technician will drill holes to secure a mounting plate. This is a steel plate that is sized and shaped almost like the indoor unit. It is used to hold the unit securely in place.
For framed walls, screw fix is used to secure the mounting plate while masonry walls calls require bolt fix. Next, the technician will drill a hole through the wall at the lower corner of the plate. This is done using a 3-inch hole saw, so there is no risk of impact related damage.
A sleeve is fitted into this hole, which will serve as the outlet for the electrical, drain and refrigerant lines. A connecting hole is drilled about a fraction of an inch below the level of this hole in the exterior wall.
The technicians will then uncover the indoor unit and attach the condensate drain hose, control wire and the refrigerant lines to it. All three lines are then taped together, which makes it easy to insulate them and to feed them through the hole in the wall.
Next, as one technician hoists the unit up, the other technician will push the taped lines into the sleeve-fitted hole. Then, the unit is mounted on the steel plate. All of this is done without touching the fins which can get damaged easily.
Heavier units have to be placed on a concrete slab while smaller systems can be mounted on the side of your home. Depending on the size of the system, the installers will prep the mounting area by constructing a concrete pad and fixing rails on it or bolt fixing mounting brackets on the wall.
The unit will be placed on the mounting structure/assembly, which will be above the ground and possible snow lines.
Trunking channels are installed to house the lines coming out from the indoor unit. The outdoor unit is first connected to the control wire coming out from the sleeved hole in the wall. This establishes the electrical connection between the two components. The power cable of the outdoor unit is then connected to a breaker panel. All wiring is insulated to protect it from the elements.
Next, the refrigerant lines are fastened to the outdoor unit using flare nuts. This creates a pathway for the refrigerant to flow through the system. Finally, the drain line that exits the access point in the wall is connected to an external drain line that will take the condensate out and away from your home.
Exposed lines and insulation lapses will greatly impact the performance of the heat pump and will lead to faster degradation of the components. So, after the indoor and outdoor units are connected, the technicians will seal open spaces around the access point sleeve.
They will check the condensate hose for free drainage and then install the capping on the trunking channels. So, those ungainly lines will be out of sight.
Before the system is filled with refrigerant, the installers will flood it will oxygen free nitrogen and then connect it to a gauge manifold to ensure that there are no leaks. After this, the system is cleaned with a vacuum pump and then the right refrigerant is pumped into it.
Finally, the installers begin to add the finishing touches to the system and to the indoor units. This includes:
But, that's not all! After we complete the heat pump installation Auckland home owners get expert advice from our technicians. These tips will help you to get optimal performance and maximum energy efficiency from the unit.
If you are in the market for a temperature control system that will serve you throughout the year, then a heat pump is the only machine that will meet your requirements. Unlike gas and electrical heaters and evaporative coolers, which are season-specific gadgets, heat pumps cool the house in summer and heat it in winter.
Don't let the upfront heat pump installation cost stop you from choosing this system. The low operational cost and the long life span of these systems more than make up for the initial expense. Plus, the sheer variety of systems means that you can install a unit that is suited for just one room/area of your home or choose a unit that covers the whole house.
Although a lot of DIY websites will tell you that you can, the quality of the installation work can make or break your heat pump system. If done right, your heat pump will offer you the best energy efficiency of all temperature control systems currently available.
But, a shoddy job will lead to high operating costs, lower energy efficiency and above all, it will greatly reduce the lifespan of the unit. So, this is a job best left to the experts. The installation process not only requires the use of proper tools but also calls for the consideration of a myriad of other factors, such as:
-The most suitable place to mount the indoor and outdoor units for optimum energy efficiency and effect.
- The ideal size and type of unit for your home and requirements.
- The best way in which to fit the system with the aesthetics of your home.
- The installation of piping with minimum exposure.
- Compliance with Building Code and other regulations.
In fact, we strongly suggest that you go with a business that stands by its work and does not disappear once they are done collecting their installation fee. If you feel that all installers are the same, think again! According to a Branz study:
Now compare this with the service offered by Heat Pump Service technicians - Our expert tradies answer all your questions about performance, price, operation, maintenance and even design and color. So, with HeatPumpServices, you get a system that works just the way you want it to!
No matter the size of the system, you will need at least two tradespeople to carry out the installation task. One of them has to be a certified electrician who can give you an Electrical Safety Certificate and an Electrical Certificate of Compliance.
Residential heat pump installation does not require building consent. But, penetration work has to be done on exterior walls, which are often load bearing walls. So, the drilling should be done with careful consideration to the support structures, which again calls for the expertise of a qualified professional.
Finally, outdoor units have to be installed such that the noise does not disturb the neighbors. Unfortunately, incorrectly installed outdoor units often exceed nighttime noise level limits, and this can put you in trouble.
But, if you work with professional and experienced installers, you won't have to worry about any of this. Our expert installers make sure that the installation work is of the highest quality and it complies with all official rules and requirements.
Heat pump cost NZ can vary significantly based on a range of factors. It goes without saying that the lower the complication of the installation process, the lesser you'll pay for it. Having said that, the cost will typically be influenced by these factors:
Typically, the installation of heat pump cost NZ homeowners anywhere between 40% and 50% of the total upfront expense.
A back to back installation means that the indoor and outdoor units are both mounted on the same wall, but directly opposite each other. This is the standard installation method, which takes about 4 to 6 hours to complete.
The precise location will depend on the type of indoor unit chosen. For instance, a high wall unit will sit a few inches below the ceiling while a floor console will be installed a bit above the skirting or may even stand on the floor. In contrast, a ceiling cassette is installed within the ceiling panels.
While the exact spot will differ, it is important to locate the unit such that the air can circulate around it without obstruction. Having said that, unit function and type also play a major role in the choice of the installation site.
For example, for a system with a heating-only cycle, floor level installation is preferred. For a reverse cycle heat pump, mounting the unit near the ceiling offers optimum performance. For ducted systems, it is best to locate the indoor unit in the ceiling space.
Although the location of the indoor unit has a direct impact on how well the system works, a fifth of households with heat pumps said that the indoor unit was not installed in the optimum location. If you don't want to be one among those households, allow HPS technicians to handle the installation for you.
The location of the outdoor unit should be chosen such that it maximises heat pump capacity and heat transfer. For this, the unit has to be placed in an area where the inlet path of the airway is not obstructed by shrubbery (clearance of 20 inches at the least) and the outlet of air is directed away from the air inlet and the coil.
Also, the outdoor unit has to be placed on a stable surface with a minimum ground clearance of 4 inches, overhead clearance of 24 inches and a similar service clearance around the unit.
Because the fans and compressor in the outdoor unit are noisy, the machine has to be installed away from bedrooms and mounted on isolation pads that absorb vibrations.
There is no cut and dried answer to this question because every household has a unique set of requirements. An experienced installer will take into account several factors when choosing the size of the unit, such as:
