While some ventilation systems are combined with heat transfer systems theses days, a heat transfer system on it’s own simply moves around air and heat that’s already in the home, blowing it through ducts or vents. It does not bring new air in and you need to have powerful heat source to make it worthwhile. A heat transfer system is great paired with a wood burner as they generate more heat than is needed for one room.
Yes. The indoor unit on cooling will dehumidify and the resultant water needs to be led away. That is why they are typically mounted on an outside wall. If not, a condensate pump can be used to lift the water to the ceiling to be drained out. But sometimes condensate pumps can be heard when they operate. The outdoor unit when on heating will also produce water. The amount of water produced is similar to a dehumidifier in use.
Speaking of HPAC specialists, when you’re installing a heat pump it might be tempting to go down the DIY route, but this is one area where it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Heat pump installation requires both electrical and plumbing work, so it can quickly become complicated. And if the installation process is botched, you risk an inefficient heat pump – not the ideal situation.
Another upside to having professional help with heat pump installation and selection is that they’ll be able to ensure your home has the right type heat pump – and the right size – to suit your home and family’s needs. The brands we are partnered with also offers a five to six year warranty on the heat pumps we install, so that’s just another reason why it’s wise to use the experts!
The objective of a positive pressure system is to pressure fresh air into your home to push out the damp, stale air through gaps around doors, windows etc.
This system works effectively in older homes, but more airtight homes should consider a heat or energy recovery system that draws the stale air out as it introduces fresh air. This is also known as a balanced ventilation system.
Most ventilation systems rely on having a roof space to run the ducting to the various rooms. If you don't have a roof space your options are limited.
For suspended floors (ie not a concrete floor) you may be able to install ventilation ducts underfloor with floor vents.
There are also through-the-wall options on a room by room basis. The SmartVent option for this incorporates heat recovery efficiency.
In most cases, you cannot re-use piping and cable from existing air-conditioning units for any new units you are having installed as different systems use different piping and have their own specific electrical requirements.
There can be exceptions to this, depending on your individual situation. We need to do onsite inspection to see if we can do that.
Please speak to our HPAC Specialist for more information.
The outdoor unit of a split system air conditioner requires adequate clearance in order to function correctly. Its performance depends upon efficient outdoor heat dispersal, so covering the unit will affect this.
Allowing at least 1 metre of clear space on each side of the air conditioner is a good rule of thumb to utilise.
If you would like to cover your outdoor unit, your HPAC Specialist can advise you on whether an ‘air deflector kit’ can be used for your particular system.
Consult with our HPAC experts and we will provide you the best options for your home!
Heat pumps are amazing appliances! While a heat pump’s primary purpose is to heat or cool your room, some heat pumps do offer limited dehumidification using “DRY” mode. It is important to note that when the heat pump is operating in Dry Mode, the unit is not heating so it is recommended to only use the Dry mode for shorter periods of time and when heating is not being required.
A home ventilation system is different from a heat pump because rather than just heating and cooling, it is specifically designed to constantly keep your home well ventilated. Some heat pump systems do provide a dry mode function, but can’t be run in dry mode all the time.
To help our customers decide on tricky problems such as this, we have the most experienced HVAC experts that can assist you in finding a heat pump or ventilation system that is right for your home. Talk to HPAC now for a free in-home consultation.
You may add cooling to your ducted system. Add-on Coolers utilise your existing heating ducts to circulate cool, crisp air throughout your entire house OR just selected zones. Because you already have ducts installed, you can get all the benefits of a complete ducted refrigerated system and save up to $2,000.
The Wi-Fi Interface is available on selected brands and products and can either be purchased as an optional upgrade when purchasing a new heat pump, or retrofitted to an existing model. View Products
The earliest systems used chemicals that were either toxic or flammable, but modern heat pumps use safe blends referred to by the general name “Freon” (a trademark of DuPont). The main blends used today are R32 and R410A which has replaced an earlier blend, R22.
Most brands offer 5 years warranty. The Daikin '5-Year Parts and Labour' warranty applies to all Daikin split, multi-split and ducted heat pumps professionally installed in domestic premises in New Zealand. Similar policy for Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic. Haier, Gree, Fujitsu etc.
A typical back-to-back installation of a single split system, without any complications, takes approximately four hours. Meanwhile, installation on an internal wall can take up to one day.
Times can vary from project to project, depending on the complexities of the building, pipe runs or electrical requirements.
Book a free in-home assessment and HPAC experts will provide you the best options for your home!
All air conditioners create condensation (i.e. - water) as a byproduct of cooling. The way they cool down your house is by reducing the interior humidity. Dehumidification creates water, and that water has got to go somewhere.
Ideally, you want that water going outside of your house. In a central air system or a ductless system, the condensation will build up in a drain pan. From the drain pan, the water is emptied outside the house via a condensate drain. In many cases, this is just a simple gravity drain.
A condensate pump is a relatively small, simple device. You install it with the air handler. When the condensate builds up, the condensate pump pumps it out. It uses mechanical force to remove the water, so you don't have to worry about water overflowing the drain pan.
So, if you want to put a ductless mini-split in a location where gravity-fed drainage would be an issue, get a condensate pump. It will keep the water moving out while you stay cool.
No. The leading brands on the market have very reasonable noise levels. You will find most of the noise you are hearing inside your house is the sound of the air being forced out of the internal grills, similar to a circulation fan. You can control how fast the internal fan runs and thus its’ noise levels, by using the remote control.
A loud heat pump is annoying, but it could signal a major problem that needs to be addressed before your unit tears up completely. When you need a quality heat pump repair company, contact HPAC Energy Centre for all of your maintenance needs. We provide routine maintenance and emergency servicing, so contact us today to have all of your heat pump needs taken care of. Our technicians are experts in the industry and can help keep your unit running efficiently for as long as possible.
Good quality equipment, installed by qualified contractors, can have a life span of 10 to 15 years. Poor maintenance and environmental factors can cause premature failure. Regular inspection and maintenance will allow your system to operate normally for as long as possible.
HPAC are affiliated with CCCA, IRHACE and ECANZ. We are also a member of CECC. As a Site Safe member all our installation and service staff hold Site Safe Passports.
For air to freely circulate, there should be no obstruction around the unit. The best location for a reverse cycle heat pump is near ceiling level. The best location for a heating-only heat pump is at floor level.
Modern heat pumps are generally unobtrusive in style and size. Hi-walls are mounted close to the ceiling and some floor consoles can be recessed into walls. Cassettes and ducted split systems can be hidden in the ceiling.
HPAC has strong relationships with the world’s most acclaimed manufacturers; organisations we’ve worked closely with and whose products we know like the back or our hand.
As well as being recognised as the country’s leading Daikin dealer we’re also closely aligned with brands such as:
Key considerations include the size of the area you wish to heat or cool, the local climate, the number of windows in the area, insulation in the walls and possible location options.
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. To help, Contact us now so we can tailor make a system suited to your needs and provide an obligation-free quote. We welcome trade in and interest free finance option available!
According to consumer.org.nz, the Energy Rating Label has a scale of stars to show how energy efficient a model is, compared to other models the same size/capacity. More stars = more energy efficient.
The energy consumption figure is in kWh and can be used to compare with any other heat pump. You can use this figure and the kWh cost from your latest power bill to calculate how much this model will cost to run. The average cost of power for a kWh in New Zealand is 25¢. Lower kWh = cheaper to run.
The product’s annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh) is based on standards testing. Check the key assumptions used in this testing to make sure they match how you will use the product. Annual energy consumption for heat pumps assumes full output capacity can be achieved with an outdoor temperature of 7°C when heating and of 35°C when cooling. You should only compare star ratings of heat pumps with the same or similar capacities.
According to consumer.org.nz, the Energy Rating Label has a scale of stars to show how energy efficient a model is, compared to other models the same size/capacity. More stars = more energy efficient.
The energy consumption figure is in kWh and can be used to compare with any other heat pump. You can use this figure and the kWh cost from your latest power bill to calculate how much this model will cost to run. The average cost of power for a kWh in New Zealand is 25¢. Lower kWh = cheaper to run.
The product’s annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh) is based on standards testing. Check the key assumptions used in this testing to make sure they match how you will use the product. Annual energy consumption for heat pumps assumes full output capacity can be achieved with an outdoor temperature of 7°C when heating and of 35°C when cooling. You should only compare star ratings of heat pumps with the same or similar capacities.
The main component of a ventilation system is the fan. A two-vent system costs around $15 per month running continuously - that's around 2c per hour. A 4-room system costs around 3c per hour. This estimate is based on 27c/kWhr.
To work out an estimate of electric underfloor heating running costs, we take say an average charge of electricity of 20 cents per kilowatt hour and assuming you are using a 7 day programmable thermostat operating 2 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the evening switching at 50% of the time your cost for an average bathroom is about (20c X .4 X 6 /2 )= 24 cents per day. For a family room of say 16 metres an estimate would be about (20c x2 x6 /2 )=120 cents per day.
A heat pump should not be operated like a radiant heater. Turning your heat pump up to 28°C will not make the room warm up any faster. In fact, it will use more energy as the heat pump attempts to absorb energy to achieve this unrealistic temperature.
By setting the temperature to what is actually required, say 18-22°C in heating mode (a comfortable temperature during winter), the heat pump will respond in the most efficient way and will reach this quickly and continue to maintain it – without further adjustment. Using a timer to activate this temperature half an hour before you arrive home will mean you return to warm, cosy comfort.
This calculation considers the energy efficiency of your particular unit, whether it is sized correctly for the area, your individual energy company rates and how effectively you use the unit.
The EECA (Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority) has identified heat pumps as one of the most energy efficient forms of heating around.
Heat pumps do not create heat, they simply move available heat from one place to another. The little energy that is needed is predominantly used to run the compressor. A heat pump typically uses 1kW to create 4kW of heat.
No, do not cover your heat pump in winter! To function properly, a heat pump needs to pull in the outdoor air through the side vents and exhaust through the top of the unit. If you cover your heat pump, it may not operate as designed and may cause damage to the system.
All heat pumps will perform a defrost cycle eventually when operating in cold winter conditions. The defrost mode removes ice build up from the outdoor unit. In defrost mode the heat pump stops heating for short periods. Some heat pump brands spend longer in defrost than others. Book a free in-home consultation with HPAC, our expert will help you choose the heat pump you get more heat and less defrost cycles, which means less overall power usage and higher, real energy efficiency.
HPAC are authorised service agent for Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic, Fujitsu and Hot Water Heat Pump manufactured heat pump systems. These manufacturers and the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA) recommend heat pumps are serviced every 12 months to maintain peak performance, efficiency, and reliability.
HPAC would recommend a quick service a year after installation, and then every year after that. This will ensure that the system is kept in good working order and will help to identify any faults before they cause damage.
A general good rule of thumb is to have your ducted air circulation system cleaned and maintained once a year. But after two years, it's recommended to change the filter sock replacement. It may be recommended to be replaced sooner if it is particularly clogged. Book a service with HPAC.
A commercial unit requires a quarterly check, as part of an annual preventative maintenance plan. For residential units we recommend you review your filters and clean them monthly, as they become dirty quickly.
If not damaged they do not need to be replaced, but they do need to be cleaned regularly. Book a service with HPAC.
As a guideline, it is recommended that commercial systems have a thorough annual preventative maintenance check, coupled with three quarterly filter checks.
Residential units require a comprehensive service every two years as a minimum (when filters are being cleaned regularly). However you may wish to do this annually before each winter to ensure your unit is working optimally.
It is important to keep vegetation clear of the outdoor unit so that airflow is not impeded and to check the unit is clear of leaves monthly.
Clicking sound is also normal; it takes place when you turn the heat pump on for the first time after a long time of inactivity. If you hear it more often, the problem might be with the start capacitor and when it breaks the heat pump won't run.
If your unit continues to make noises or is not operating it may need further investigation from a trained technician.
We have a number of technicians able to diagnose and repair faults, including parts replacement in a wide range of equipment. Please contact for an appointment.
Try changing the batteries in the remote again, as even in a new pack there may be faulty batteries. Your remote control will need the batteries changed periodically, when the screen becomes faint or when it becomes less responsive. It’s not recommended to press lots of buttons on the heat pump remote all at once, especially on start-up, as it can take a heat pump a little time to wake up (just like we do in the morning).
Which ever brand of heat pump you own we can supply you with a universal remote that will be compatible in seconds.
It is quite common for water to drip from the outdoor unit in the winter and from the indoor unit drain to the outside in the summer. The amount of water produced is similar to a dehumidifier.
