Heat Pumps – 2013 Ratings
One in two sees health benefits from their heat pumps
It is widely acknowledged that having a good diet and getting plenty of exercise are important factors in staying healthy. Interestingly, nearly half of the respondents to our recent survey (45%) cite something else that has improved their health: their home’s heat pump.
The Heat Pump Company notes that these appliances are an effective way of controlling condensation and regulating a house’s temperature. It is this warmer, drier air that can be beneficial to a person’s health1. In other benefits, nearly nine in ten respondents told us using a heat pump has made their house drier and easier to heat (86%).
Despite heavy usage in the months of extreme temperatures, half our respondents report these devices have actually reduced the cost of their electricity bills. This finding has been supported by The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, who agree heat pumps can be cheaper to run than other heating appliances.
Nearly nine in ten survey respondents reported purchasing an energy efficient heat pump, which may be lending a hand in reducing power bills.
The heat pump has become a ‘must-have’ appliance for around four in five New Zealand homes, and it’s therefore important prospective buyers do their research and buy a brand that delivers in key areas.
We have collected and compared the customer satisfaction levels of New Zealand heat pump customers, and Mitsubishi Electric has achieved our Most Satisfied Customers Award for 2013 in this category. Mitsubishi Electric excelled in the areas of reliability, functionality, quietness while operating, and energy efficiency.
Fujitsu General, Daikin and Panasonic were also compared in our survey.
Canstar Blue commissioned Research Now to survey 2,500 New Zealand consumers to measure and track customer satisfaction. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who have purchased a domestic heat pump in the last two years – in this case, 339 people. Brands must receive at least 30 responses to be included.
Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands that received three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10.
Overall customer satisfaction
Keeping warm (or cool) can be much easier with a good heat pump, and Mitsubishi Electric achieved a five star rating for overall customer satisfaction for 2013. Fujitsu General came next with four stars in this category, and both Daikin and Panasonic followed with three.
Value for money
If you’re fighting the elements, the last thing you want to do is worry about costs. Luckily for consumers, two brands achieved five stars for heat pump value for money: Fujitsu General and Daikin. Mitsubishi Electric and Panasonic each received four stars in this area.
After sale service
Daikin customers were most satisfied with the customer service they received after buying their heat pump, and achieved a five star rating, Mitsubishi Electric and Fujitsu General secured four, and Panasonic received three.
Reliability
Just like you can count on the winters being chilly and the summers hot, you can rely on a good heat pump to handle both seasons without incident. Achieving five star ratings in this area were Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric and Fujitsu General. Following with a four star rating was Panasonic.
Ease of use (of the controls and buttons)
Daikin achieved five stars for the simplicity of its heat pump controls. Next with four stars each was Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic and Fujitsu General.
Functionality (ability to choose and adjust functions)
Being able to manipulate your heat pump in different ways can help maintain that perfectly controlled climate you’ve become accustomed to. Both Mitsubishi Electric and Daikin achieved five stars for functionality, Fujitsu General secured four and Panasonic received three.
Quietness while operating
Noisy heat pumps can be distracting. Mitsubishi Electric customers were most satisfied with the quietness of their heat pumps, with the brand earning five stars. Fujitsu General received four stars, and Daikin and Panasonic each received three.
Energy efficiency
Both Mitsubishi Electric and Daikin achieved five stars for customer satisfaction with the energy efficiency of their heat pump products; Panasonic and Fujitsu General followed with four stars each.