2016 Heat Pump Reviews
You are viewing the archived heat pump ratings. Follow the link to view the current heat pump ratings.
Canstar Blue research finalised in October 2016, published in November 2016.
See our Ratings Methodology.
Most Satisfied Customers | Daikin
Daikin has been rated highest for heat pumps in our latest customer reviews, scoring five stars in every research category.
Daikin ranked top for heat pumps
In New Zealand, we are used to getting four seasons in one day which can be a bit of a problem when it comes to regulating temperatures in our homes. For many, heat pumps provide the answer. In our recent survey, nearly two-thirds of people thought that heat pumps where cheaper to run than individual heaters and nearly one-quarter of respondents had actually seen their power bills reduce after installing a heat pump. What’s more, a heat pump can help keep your house cool in the warmer months; over half of people surveyed said they did this too.
With low running costs and instant hot or cold air, heat pumps can provide an effective way to keep the temperature in your home comfortable, without breaking the bank. There are even government subsidies available to some people to help with the cost of installation and the additional insulation that is always recommended to increase the efficiency of your heat pump.
These reasons shed a bit of light on why heat pumps have grown so popular. In fact, our research even found that nearly one in two Kiwis (47%) consider heat pumps a ‘must-have’ in any house they live in. But like any appliance, it’s important to do your research before diving in.
We found that 42% of owners researched heat pumps before purchasing – which is probably why you’re reading this. Well done you! But who are we to tell you which heat pump is the best bet for your home? Instead, we’ve gone to the people of New Zealand directly, asking heat pump owners how they rate their appliance against the key satisfaction criteria – value for money, reliability, ease of use, functionality, quietness and most importantly of all, overall customer satisfaction.
In 2016, we can announce that Daikin has returned to the top spot after four years, receiving Canstar Blue’s award for Most Satisfied Customers – Heat Pumps. Daikin is a heat pump specialist and holds itself as New Zealand’s most trusted name in heat pumps. Canstar Blue’s ratings are here to offer a guide about what consumers just like you think, but ultimately you will have to make up your own mind.
What to think about when buying a heat pump
We have produced ratings for heat pumps based on a range of general factors, relating to what consumers think of their new appliances after they have started using them. But before you splash any cash, there are several other things to consider.
Energy efficiency
Heat pumps are generally more energy-efficient than most cooling and heating appliances. However, the efficiency will of course vary across different models. You can calculate how much a heat pump might set you back in heating costs using the energy wise consumption calculator. To illustrate, using a 6kW heat pump with a 3-star energy rating for six hours every day will cost you around $50 per month. Applying the same system size and usage, but with a 6-star energy rating, a heat pump will only cost around $35 per month. In our survey, 41% of heat pump purchasers opted for an energy efficient model, though keep in mind they may cost a little more upfront.
Air filtration
Some heat pumps have inbuilt air filtration systems to keep the indoor air comfortable. Indeed, 13% of Kiwis in our survey think their health has improved since installing their heat pump. If air quality is something particularly important to you, keep an eye out for the blue butterfly, which recognises the pump as approved by the Asthma Foundation NZ Sensitive Choice Program.
Output
Heat pump output usually ranges from 2 to 14 kW and indicates how powerful it is in producing cold or hot air. It’s important to get the right size – if the pump is too small for the room, it will have to work harder and use more electricity in order to be effective. Your supplier will be able to give you more information specific to the model you’re interested in.
Types of heat pump
There are essentially three forms of heat pumps which you can read more about here. They are: air-source, geothermal and absorption. Air source pumps are by far the most common for residential purposes, while the other two are for more niche climates and purposes.
There are three main models of air source heat pumps, though bear in mind some manufacturers may refer to these by slightly different names.
- Split heat pumps: This type of heat pump has two main components – one inside and one outside. The indoor unit can be mounted nearly anywhere, be it wall, floor or ceiling. Without going too deeply in to the science, the outside unit absorbs heat using coils and refrigerant. This heat passes inside through pipes where the heat is released. Reverse cycle pumps use the same method for cooling, just the other way around.
- Multi-split heat pumps: This type of heat pump is principally the same as the split heat pump discussed above. Here however, the outdoor unit is larger and there are multiple indoor units, meaning the one system can provide heating and cooling for multiple rooms.
- Ducted heat pumps: Ducted heat pump systems provide heating and cooling to your entire home without the need for noticeable indoor units. A ducted system includes a large outdoor unit and flexible ducting that runs through your floor and/or ceiling to provide heating and cooling through vents in your home. As you might be able to guess, ducted heat pumps are generally more expensive than the other types mentioned.
Whatever type of heat pump you’re looking for, we hope you find this review helpful.
Frequently asked questions
Canstar Blue commissioned I-view to survey 2,500 New Zealand consumers across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction. The outcomes reported are the results from customers who have purchased and used a heat pump in the last two years – in this case, 597 New Zealanders.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then alphabetically. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.