Ducted Heat Pumps Christchurch

What Are Ducted Heat Pump Systems?

Imagine having perfect temperature in every room of your house—all controlled from one place, with no bulky units on your walls. That's exactly what a ducted heat pump gives you.

Here's how it works: One powerful unit (usually tucked away in your ceiling or under the floor) sends heated or cooled air through hidden ducts to every room. You only see the neat little grilles in your ceiling or floor—no chunky wall units, no visible outdoor boxes scattered around your property.

It's like having central heating, but way more energy-efficient heating and cooling and it cools in summer too. Think of it as the "set and forget" option for home comfort.

Why Christchurch Families Love Ducted Systems

Wondering about the cost? Get detailed pricing in our complete ducted heat pump pricing guide.

How Ducted Heat Pump Systems Actually Work

Don't worry—you don't need to be a HVAC engineer to understand this. It's actually pretty simple.

The Main Components:

1. The Outdoor Unit: This sits outside (usually tucked away on the side of your house) and does the heavy lifting—pulling heat from the air in winter, dumping heat in summer.

2. The Indoor Air Handler: This is the brain of the system, hidden in your ceiling space or under the floor. It conditions the air and pushes it through the ducts.

3. The Ductwork: Insulated tubes that snake through your ceiling or floor, delivering air to each room. Think of them like arteries carrying comfort throughout your home.

4. Supply Grilles: The neat rectangles or circles in your ceiling/floor where the conditioned air comes out.

5. Return Air Grille: Usually in a central location, this sucks air back to the system to be reheated or re-cooled. It's how the system keeps circulating air.

Is a Ducted System Right for Your Home?

Ducted systems aren't for everyone, and that's okay. Here's who they're perfect for (and who might want to consider alternatives).

Ducted Systems Are Perfect If You:

• Have a larger home (120m² or bigger) with multiple rooms you want heated and cooled
• Are building or renovating so we can install ductwork while walls are open
• Value aesthetics and don't want visible units cluttering your walls
• Want consistent temperature throughout your entire home
• Have ceiling or floor space where we can run ducts
• Live in a two-story home where a ducted system can solve the hot upstairs/cold downstairs problem
• Entertain often and want your whole home guest-ready and comfortable

You Might Want to Consider Alternatives If You:

• Only need to heat 1-2 rooms (a single room heat pump installation or multi-room heat pump system might be more cost-effective)
• Have a small home under 100m² (might be overkill)
• Have no ceiling or floor space for ducts (though we can often find creative solutions)
• Are on a tight budget (upfront costs are higher, though running costs are lower - see our ducted heat pump cost breakdown)

Not sure which option is best for you? That's exactly what our free heat pump consultation is for. We'll look at your home, listen to what you need, and give you honest advice—even if ducted isn't the right fit. Read our ducted versus split heat pump comparison for more guidance.

Ducted vs Split Systems: What's the Difference?

Here's a quick breakdown to help you understand your options. For a complete comparison, see our detailed ducted versus split system guide.

Feature	Ducted System	Multi-Room Split System	Single Split System
Coverage	Whole home from one system	Multiple rooms with separate units	One room only
Visibility	Hidden—only grilles visible	Wall units visible in each room	Wall unit visible
Temperature Control	Consistent everywhere (or zoned)	Different temps per room	One room only
Installation	More complex, best in new builds	Moderate—needs outdoor space	Quick and easy
Upfront Cost	$15,000-$30,000+	$12,000-$25,000	$3,000-$6,000
Running Costs	Very efficient for whole home	Good if only heating used rooms	Most efficient for one room
Noise Level	Very quiet	Quiet to moderate	Quiet to moderate
Best For	Whole-home comfort, new builds	Existing homes, flexibility	Single room, starter solution

What to Expect: Our Ducted Installation Process

We've installed hundreds of ducted systems across Christchurch. Here's exactly what happens, step by step:

Ducted Brands We Install

After years of installing ducted systems across Christchurch, we only work with best heat pump brands that perform brilliantly in Canterbury's climate—from frosty mornings to scorching nor'westers.

Not sure which brand to choose? Don't stress about it. During your consultation, we'll recommend the best brand for your specific home, needs, and budget. They're all excellent—it's about finding the right match for you.

What Does a Ducted System Cost in Christchurch?

This is always the big question, right? Here's the honest answer:

Typical ducted heat pump installation in Christchurch: $15,000 - $30,000+ depending on your home size and the features you want.

What Affects the Price?

• Your home size: Bigger home = larger capacity system = higher cost
• Ductwork complexity: Straightforward ceiling install vs challenging layout
• Number of zones: Basic system vs multi-zone with individual room control
• Grille options: Standard grilles vs premium designer options
• Smart features: Basic thermostat vs WiFi control and automation
• Additional features: Fresh air ventilation, upgraded filtration, etc.

Ballpark Examples:

Small to medium home (120-180m²): $15,000 - $22,000
Standard ducted system with basic controls, 6-8 supply grilles

Medium to large home (180-250m²): $22,000 - $30,000
Higher capacity system, 8-12 supply grilles, zone control options

Large or complex home (250m²+): $30,000 - $45,000+
High-capacity system, extensive ductwork, multiple zones, premium features

Smart Features & Add-Ons

Modern ducted systems can do way more than just heat and cool. Here's what's available:

Zone Control

Control up to 8 different zones independently. Keep the bedrooms at 18°C while the living room stays at 22°C. Only heat the areas you're actually using and save money on power.

Cost: Adds $2,000-$4,000 to your system, but can save you 20-30% on running costs.

WiFi & Smart Control

Control your ducted system from anywhere using your smartphone. Pre-heat the house before you get home from work. Turn it off from bed if you forgot. Set schedules so it's always perfect when you need it.

Cost: Usually $300-$600 depending on the brand. Learn more about smart heat pump control systems.

Fresh Air Ventilation (HRV/Lossnay)

Integrate a heat recovery ventilation system with your ducted heat pump. Brings fresh air in, removes stale air, and recovers the heat energy so you're not wasting power.

Perfect for: Modern, airtight homes that need proper ventilation. Great for anyone with allergies or asthma.

Cost: Adds $3,000-$6,000 depending on system size.