The Quick Answer: What Does a Ducted Heat Pump Cost?
Let's cut straight to it. Here's what you can expect to pay for a ducted heat pump system in Christchurch in 2025:
- 6-8 supply grilles
- Single zone control
- Standard grille finishes
- Basic thermostat control
- Quality brand (Mitsubishi heat pump/Daikin heat pump/Fujitsu heat pump)
- Professional installation
- System commissioning
- 8-12 supply grilles
- Optional zone control (2-4 zones)
- Standard or upgraded grilles
- WiFi control available
- Higher capacity system
- Professional installation
- Full system balancing
- 12+ supply grilles
- Multi-zone control (4-8 zones)
- Premium grille options
- Smart control systems
- High-capacity system
- Complex duct routing
- Fresh air integration options
Important: These are ballpark figures based on typical Christchurch installations. Your actual cost depends on your specific home layout, chosen features, and any unique challenges (like difficult ceiling access or custom requirements).
Want an exact price for YOUR home? Call us at 03 242 1023 for a free consultation quote.
Deciding between systems? Check our ducted vs split comparison to see which makes sense for your situation.
What's Actually Included in That Price?
When we quote you for a ducted heat pump, here's everything that's included—no hidden costs or surprise extras later:
Everything above is what you need for a complete, working ducted system. We don't leave anything out of our quotes to make the price look better.
Compare with other systems: See how ducted pricing stacks up against multi-room split systems in our detailed comparison guide.
What Makes Your Price Higher or Lower?
Not all ducted installations cost the same. Here are the main factors that affect your final price:
🏠 Home Size & Layout
Bigger home = larger system capacity needed = higher cost. A 250m² home needs roughly twice the heating capacity of a 120m² home.
Impact: $5,000-10,000 difference
📐 Ceiling/Floor Access
Easy ceiling space? Lower cost. Tight crawl space or difficult access? Takes longer to install, increasing labour costs.
Impact: $1,000-3,000 difference
🎯 Number of Rooms
Each room needs supply grilles and duct runs. More rooms = more materials and labour, even if the house isn't that big.
Impact: $200-400 per additional room
🏗️ New Build vs Retrofit
Installing during construction with walls open is cheaper and easier than retrofitting into an existing home.
Impact: Retrofit adds 15-25% to cost
🎛️ Zone Control
Want to control different areas independently? Zone control adds motorized dampers and a smarter controller.
Impact: $2,000-4,000 extra
✨ Grille Upgrades
Standard white grilles are included. Upgrade to linear grilles, custom colors, or designer options? Extra cost.
Impact: $100-300 per grille
📱 Smart Features
WiFi control, smartphone apps, and home automation integration with smart heat pumps are optional upgrades.
Impact: $300-800
🌬️ Fresh Air Ventilation
Adding a heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system to your ducted heat pump improves air quality.
Impact: $3,000-6,000 extra
⚡ Electrical Upgrades
Older homes might need switchboard upgrades to handle the ducted system's power requirements.
Impact: $500-2,000 if needed
🏢 Brand Choice
Mitsubishi heat pump, Daikin heat pump, and Fujitsu heat pump are all excellent but have slightly different price points.
Impact: $1,000-3,000 difference
🚧 Site Complexity
Difficult outdoor unit placement, long pipe runs, or tricky duct routing increases labour time.
Impact: $1,000-3,000
📅 Timing & Season
Installing in peak winter or summer might have slightly higher costs due to demand. Shoulder seasons can be cheaper.
Impact: 5-10% variation
What About Running Costs?
The installation cost is just the beginning. Let's talk about what it actually costs to run a ducted system in Christchurch. For more on efficiency, check our energy-efficient heat pump guide.
Typical Monthly Power Costs
Based on heating your entire home to 20-21°C during Christchurch winter (roughly June-August):
- Small home (120-150m²): $120-180/month
- Medium home (150-200m²): $180-250/month
- Large home (200-300m²): $250-350/month
These estimates assume you're heating the whole house during waking hours and setting it back overnight.
How Ducted Systems Save You Money
Compared to other heating methods, energy-efficient ducted pumps are incredibly efficient:
- vs Panel Heaters: Save 50-70% on power bills
- vs Old Heat Pumps (pre-2015): Save 30-40%
- vs Gas Heating: Save 40-60% (and no gas connection fees)
- vs Multiple Wall Units: Save 20-35% with one efficient system
Zone Control = Extra Savings
Add zone control ($2,000-4,000 upfront) and you can typically save 20-30% on running costs by only heating the areas you're actually using.
Example: A family in a 200m² home might spend $250/month heating the whole house. With zone control, they heat only the living area during the day and bedrooms at night, dropping costs to $175-190/month. That's $60-75 monthly savings, paying back the zone control investment in 2-3 years.
Annual Maintenance Costs
Budget for annual servicing requirements to keep your system running efficiently:
- Annual service: $250-400
- Filter replacement: $50-100 (often DIY with proper cleaning techniques)
- Occasional repairs: $200-500 every few years
Total annual maintenance: Roughly $300-600/year to keep everything running perfectly.
Ducted vs Other Heating Systems: The Real Cost Comparison
Let's compare the total cost of ownership over 10 years for heating a typical 180m² Christchurch home. For a detailed side-by-side, see our ducted vs split comparison.
| Heating System | Install Cost | Annual Running Cost | 10-Year Maintenance | Total 10-Year Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducted Heat Pump | $22,000 | $2,400 | $4,000 | $50,000 |
| Multi-Room Heat Pumps (4 units) | $18,000 | $2,700 | $5,000 | $50,000 |
| Panel Heaters (whole home) | $3,000 | $4,500 | $2,000 | $50,000 |
| Gas Central Heating | $25,000 | $3,200 | $6,000 | $63,000 |
| Wood Burner + Heat Transfer | $12,000 | $2,800 | $8,000 | $50,000 |
The bottom line: While ducted systems have a higher upfront cost, they're similar in total ownership cost to most alternatives over 10 years—but with way more comfort, convenience, and cooling in summer as a bonus.
How to Reduce Your Ducted System Cost
Want a ducted heating system but need to watch your budget? Here are legitimate ways to lower your costs:
1. Government Subsidies & Grants
There are sometimes available subsidy programs for Christchurch residents upgrading to energy-efficient heating systems:
- Warmer Kiwi Homes: Income-tested grants for insulation and heating (check current eligibility)
- EECA Grants: Occasionally available for energy-efficient upgrades
- Council Schemes: Christchurch City Council sometimes runs heating upgrade programs
We'll help you: Check what you're eligible for and assist with applications. These can save you $1,000-3,000 or more.
2. Install During Construction or Major Renovation
If you're building or doing a major reno with walls open, install your ducted system then. You'll save 15-25% compared to retrofitting later.
Savings: $3,000-6,000 compared to retrofit installation
3. Start with Basic Features, Upgrade Later
Install the core ducted system now with standard controls. Add WiFi control, zone control, or premium grilles later when budget allows.
Savings: $2,000-5,000 initially (though it costs slightly more long-term)
4. Choose Your Timing Wisely
Book installation during shoulder seasons (March-May, September-November) when demand is lower. Some installers offer better pricing during quieter periods.
Potential savings: 5-10% or $750-2,000
5. Standard Grille Finishes
Stick with standard white grilles instead of upgrading to designer linear grilles or custom colors.
Savings: $500-2,000
6. Optimize Your Home First
Before installing, make sure your home is well-insulated and draughts are sealed. You can then install a smaller, less expensive system that still keeps you comfortable.
Savings: $2,000-4,000 on system capacity
7. Payment Plans
We offer payment plans that let you spread the cost over 12-48 months. While you'll pay some interest, it makes ducted heating achievable now rather than waiting years.
⚠️ Ways NOT to Save Money
Don't cut these corners—they'll cost you more long-term:
- ❌ Choosing the cheapest quote from an inexperienced installer
- ❌ Skipping system balancing (ruins performance)
- ❌ Using budget brands not suited to NZ climate
- ❌ Undersizing the system to save upfront (costs more to run and won't heat properly)
- ❌ Skipping proper duct insulation (massive heat loss)
- ❌ DIY installation without proper qualifications
Ready to Get an Accurate Quote for YOUR Home?
Every home is different, and your exact cost depends on your specific situation. Let's give you a proper, detailed quote based on your actual home—not a generic estimate.
We'll come to your home, assess everything properly, and give you an honest, transparent quote with no surprises.
Get Your Free QuoteOr call us at 03 242 1023
Questions about ducted systems? Check out our complete ducted heat pump guide or our ducted vs split comparison.