Written by the BuildHub research team · Last updated 17 July 2026 · Advertising disclosure
Wellington houses are a heat pump stress test: draughty pre-war weatherboard, salt air off Cook Strait and southerlies that arrive sideways. The wrong unit in the wrong spot will run flat out and still leave the lounge cold. This guide shortlists installers who quote Wellington homes properly, then covers real 2026 pricing, the electrical rules, and the Warmer Kiwi Homes grant worth checking before you pay full price.
The best heat pump installer in Wellington is Heat Pump Installation Wellington, a Mount Victoria based team covering installation, maintenance and repairs across Wellington, the Hutt Valley, Porirua and the Kapiti Coast, working with Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric and Fujitsu units. Most standard installs are done in 4 to 8 hours. For a long-established Lower Hutt alternative, I G Richards has been servicing the region for over 35 years, and Get Pumped Heatpumps is a solid small operator on the eastern side of the Hutt.
Summary
A single high-wall heat pump in Wellington typically costs $2,500 to $5,000 installed in 2026, with ducted whole-home systems running $12,000 to $25,000 or more.
Installing a heat pump generally needs no building consent, but the electrical connection must be done by a licensed electrical worker, and eligible lower-income homeowners can get up to 90 percent of an approved high-wall unit covered by the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme.
We shortlisted Wellington installers on trade focus, verifiable experience, brand accreditations and coverage, and excluded anyone we could not confirm as an actual installation business.
The shortlist
Our research covered the Wellington heat pump market from the big regional firms to one-van operators in the Hutt. We weighed installation focus, years operating, the brands each business actually installs, and what customers report publicly. Some businesses featured on BuildHub may have a commercial relationship with us. See the disclosure at the bottom of this page, and always get at least two quotes.
One Wellington-specific tip before the list: ask every installer whether the outdoor unit needs coastal protection. Anywhere near the south coast, Evans Bay or the harbour edge, salt spray corrodes standard coils years early, and the anti-corrosion option is much cheaper at install time than a replacement unit later.
Editor's Choice 2026
#1
Heat Pump Installation Wellington
Heat Pump Installation Wellington is a Mount Victoria based outfit that does one thing: heat pumps, from initial consultation and sizing through installation, maintenance and repair. The team works across the whole region, recommends Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric and Fujitsu units, and turns most standard installs around in 4 to 8 hours on site. They will also walk you through government rebate eligibility and offer financing options, which matters when a ducted system quote lands north of $15,000.
Areas served: Wellington, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua and the Kapiti Coast
Brands: Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric and Fujitsu
Services: Installation, maintenance, repairs and consultation
I G Richards is an Alicetown, Lower Hutt firm that has been installing and servicing heat pumps and air conditioning across greater Wellington for over 35 years. They are residential heat pump specialists who also handle commercial air conditioning, and they install across a wide brand range including Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin, Hitachi and Temperzone rather than pushing a single label. Owner Ian Richards is a member of IRHACE, the Institute of Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers.
Areas served: Greater Wellington, based in Lower Hutt
Focus: Residential heat pumps and commercial air conditioning
Website: wellingtonheatpumps.co.nz
Key facts and services
Over 35 years servicing the Wellington region
Installs Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin, Hitachi and Temperzone
Owner is an IRHACE member, the industry body for refrigeration and air conditioning engineers
#3
Get Pumped Heatpumps
Get Pumped Heatpumps is a Wainuiomata based business started in 2016 by Greg Nolan, who has over 18 years in the design, installation and maintenance of heat pump systems. The company supplies, installs and services Mitsubishi Electric and Gree units and also does commercial refrigeration work, covering the Hutt Valley, Porirua and Wellington City. A small crew like this lives or dies on referrals, which is exactly the incentive you want from your installer.
Areas served: Hutt Valley, Porirua and Wellington City
Focus: Heat pump installs, repairs and maintenance, plus commercial refrigeration
Website: getpumpedheatpumps.com
Key facts and services
Founded in 2016 by an installer with over 18 years in the trade
Supplies and installs Mitsubishi Electric and Gree heat pumps
Also services commercial refrigeration, useful for shops and cafes
#4
Yeti Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps
Yeti Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps is a small Wellington specialist run by qualified tradesmen with over 22 years of experience across commercial and residential work. Their point of difference is design: every ducted system is planned and presented to the client before any work starts, which is precisely the discipline that separates a quiet, efficient ducted install from an expensive disappointment.
Areas served: Wellington
Focus: Heat pump and air conditioning installs for new builds, existing homes and businesses
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 5:00pm
Key facts and services
Qualified tradesmen with over 22 years of industry experience
Ducted systems are fully designed and presented before work begins
Handles new builds, retrofits and commercial jobs
#5
Wellington Refrigeration
Wellington Refrigeration is a long-established regional firm covering heat pumps, air conditioning and refrigeration across Wellington, Porirua and the Hutt Valley. Because refrigeration is their core trade, the technicians live in the same refrigerant circuits, compressors and controls that heat pumps run on. They also provide Healthy Homes heating quotes and recommendations, handy for landlords who need compliant fixed heating in a rental.
Areas served: Wellington, Porirua and the Hutt Valley
Focus: Heat pumps, air conditioning and refrigeration
Website: wellingtonrefrigeration.co.nz
Key facts and services
Long-established Wellington region operator
Refrigeration trade background, the same technology heat pumps run on
Provides Healthy Homes heating quotes for rental compliance
What does a heat pump cost installed in Wellington?
Heat pumps are priced as unit plus installation, and the install side varies with wall construction, pipe runs and the electrical work needed. Realistic Wellington ranges for 2026, all indicative:
System type
Indicative installed cost
Small high-wall unit, back-to-back install (bedroom or study)
$2,200 to $3,500
Mid-size high-wall unit (average lounge)
$3,000 to $4,500
Large high-wall or floor console (big open-plan area)
$4,000 to $6,500
Multi-split serving 2 to 3 rooms
$8,000 to $14,000
Ducted whole-home system
$12,000 to $25,000+
Annual professional service
$150 to $300
What pushes a Wellington quote up: long pipe runs on multi-level hillside homes, crane or scaffold access on steep sections in suburbs like Brooklyn and Khandallah, upgraded switchboards in older houses, and coastal-spec outdoor units near the south coast. A back-to-back install, where the outdoor unit sits directly behind the indoor unit on the same wall, is always the cheapest configuration.
Sizing tip for WellingtonDo not size a heat pump off floor area alone. An uninsulated 1920s villa in Newtown can need double the capacity of a new build the same size in Churton Park. A good installer will ask about insulation, ceiling height and window joinery before naming a kilowatt figure. If they quote a model over the phone without those questions, get another quote.
Grants, consent and who is allowed to do the work
Warmer Kiwi Homes: eligible owner-occupiers can get up to 90 percent of an approved high-wall heat pump covered, capped at $3,450, through the government's Warmer Kiwi Homes programme. Broadly, the home must be built before 2008, ceiling and underfloor insulation must already be in place, the main living area must have no working fixed heater, and you need a Community Services Card, SuperGold combo card or an address in a qualifying area. Check eligibility before you accept any quote.
Electrical work: connecting a heat pump to your switchboard is restricted electrical work and must be done by a licensed electrical worker registered with the Electrical Workers Registration Board. Ask for the certificate of compliance or electrical safety certificate for the connection, and keep it.
Building consent: a standard residential heat pump install generally needs no building consent. Wellington City Council district plan rules can still affect where outdoor units go on heritage-listed buildings and in some character areas, so flag it if your home is listed.
Rentals: the Healthy Homes heating standard requires landlords to provide fixed heating that can reach 18 degrees in the main living room. A correctly sized heat pump is the most common way to comply. Guidance and the heating assessment tool are at tenancy.govt.nz.
How to compare heat pump quotes
Same room, same output. Make every installer quote heating capacity in kilowatts for the same space, and ask what capacity the unit holds at 0 degrees outside, not just the brochure rating.
Position on the wall, in writing. Indoor and outdoor unit locations change pipe runs, noise and performance. Get the agreed positions on the quote.
Electrical included? Confirm the quote covers the circuit, any switchboard work and the compliance certificate, not just hanging the units.
Coastal spec. Near the coast, ask whether the outdoor unit coil is corrosion-protected and what that adds. In most of Wellington the answer matters.
Warranty on both parts. Brand warranty on the unit and a separate workmanship warranty on the install. Five to six years on the unit is common; get the installer's own warranty in writing.
Service plan. Ask what an annual service costs and what it includes. A serviced heat pump holds its efficiency; a clogged one quietly doubles its running cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to install a heat pump in Wellington?
As of 2026, a single high-wall heat pump in Wellington typically costs $2,500 to $5,000 installed, depending on unit size and how complex the install is. A small back-to-back bedroom install can come in around $2,200 to $3,500, a large open-plan unit runs $4,000 to $6,500, and ducted whole-home systems range from about $12,000 to $25,000 or more. These are indicative figures: hillside access, long pipe runs and switchboard upgrades all add cost, so get itemised written quotes.
Can I get a government grant for a heat pump in Wellington?
Possibly. The Warmer Kiwi Homes programme, run by EECA, covers up to 90 percent of an approved high-wall heat pump, capped at $3,450, for eligible owner-occupiers. The home generally must be built before 2008, already have ceiling and underfloor insulation to standard, and have no working fixed heater in the main living area, and you need a Community Services Card, SuperGold combo card or an address in a qualifying lower-income area. Check your eligibility on the EECA website before accepting quotes, because the grant is applied through approved providers.
Do I need a building consent to install a heat pump?
In almost all cases, no. A standard residential heat pump installation does not require a building consent in New Zealand. The electrical connection is the regulated part: it must be carried out by a licensed electrical worker, and you should receive a certificate of compliance or electrical safety certificate. If your Wellington home is heritage listed or in a character area, check district plan rules on where the outdoor unit can be mounted before install day.
What size heat pump do I need for a Wellington home?
It depends on insulation and construction as much as floor area. As a rough guide, a well-insulated average lounge needs about 4 to 6 kilowatts of heating capacity, while a poorly insulated villa lounge can need 7 to 9 kilowatts. Wellington's cold southerlies mean you should also check the unit's rated output at 0 degrees, because cheap units lose a large share of their capacity in cold snaps. A good installer will assess insulation, windows and ceiling height on site before recommending a size.
How long does a heat pump installation take?
A standard single high-wall installation takes about 4 to 8 hours, so most homes have heat the same day the installer arrives. Multi-room systems usually take 1 to 2 days, and ducted whole-home systems typically take 2 to 4 days depending on roof space access. Booking lead times in Wellington stretch out in autumn as everyone remembers winter is coming, so quote in summer if you can.
How often should a heat pump be serviced?
Clean the indoor filters yourself every few months, and book a professional service roughly once a year, which typically costs $150 to $300 in Wellington. A professional service covers the outdoor coil, refrigerant checks, drainage and electrical connections. This matters more near Wellington's coast, where salt air corrodes outdoor units, and skipping servicing is the most common reason a heat pump's running costs creep up year on year.
Ready to get quotes?
Start with our top pick, Heat Pump Installation Wellington, then get at least one more quote to compare.
Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not professional advice. Pricing figures are indicative and vary by project. Rely on written quotes. Some businesses featured on BuildHub may have a commercial relationship with us; this does not change the factual information we publish about any business, and we encourage readers to get at least two quotes. Verify business details directly with each company before engaging them.