Heat pump replacement in Christchurch
We replace old and failing heat pumps across Christchurch. We check whether the old pipe route, drain, hole and power supply can be reused, and we size the new unit for the room rather than matching the old one. Quotes are free.
Prefer to talk? Call 03 242 1023
When a heat pump replacement beats a repair
A heat pump can be repaired for years, and often should be. But there comes a point where the money goes into an old unit that won’t last. These are the signs we look for.
- Compressor failure on an old unit. The compressor is the most expensive part to replace. On an older system, the cost of the part and labour can approach the price of a new unit, and the rest of the system is just as old.
- Parts no longer made. Once a model is out of production, parts get scarce and dear. A repair can stall waiting for a part that may never arrive.
- Old refrigerant. Older units run on refrigerants that are being phased out. Recharging an old system can be hard and costly, and the leak that caused the loss usually comes back.
- Repeated faults. If the same fault keeps returning, or a new one follows each repair, the unit is telling you it’s near the end.
- Poor efficiency. An old unit that runs constantly and still feels weak is costing you every month on power.
If the fault is minor and the unit is young, a heat pump repair is the right call. If you’re not sure, an emergency repair visit can tell you what’s failed and what a fix would cost.
What a replacement involves
A replacement is more than swapping one box for another. The old system has to come out properly before the new one goes in.
- Refrigerant recovery. The gas in the old system is pumped out and collected. It isn’t vented to the air. This happens before any pipe is disconnected.
- Removing both units. The indoor unit comes off its bracket and the outdoor unit off its feet or pad. The old pipework and cable go with them.
- Checking the old route. We look at the pipe route, the wall hole, the drain and the electrical circuit. Some of it can be reused. Some of it has to change.
- Sizing the new unit. We work out the heat the room needs, not the kW of the old unit.
- Installing and commissioning. The new system is pressure tested, vacuumed and run in heating and cooling before we hand it over. The full job is set out under heat pump installation in Christchurch.
Get a free quote. Installs, servicing and repairs on all major brands.
What can be reused from the old install
Reusing the old pipe route and hole keeps the job tidy and the cost down. But it only works if the parts suit the new system.
- The pipe route. The old pipes must be the right diameter for the new model, in good condition and pressure tight. If they aren’t, we run new pipe, sometimes along the same path.
- The wall hole. Often it can be reused. A different indoor unit may sit at a different height, so the hole may need to move or be patched.
- The drain. The old drain can often stay if it falls away properly and isn’t blocked. A new indoor unit may need a different drain route.
- The electrical circuit. The circuit has to suit what the new unit draws. If the switchboard has no spare capacity or the cable is too small, a licensed electrical worker sorts it before the unit goes in.
- The outdoor spot. The old pad or bracket may take the new unit. If the old unit was badly placed, we’ll suggest a better spot.
We check all of this before you agree to anything, so there are no surprises on the day.
Sizing the new unit, not matching the old one
The most common mistake with a replacement is ordering the same kW as the old unit. Old units were often the wrong size to begin with.
- Oversized units. Too big a unit heats quickly, then cycles on and off. That’s less comfortable, harder on the compressor and can cost more to run.
- Undersized units. Too small a unit runs flat out on cold nights and never quite gets there. It uses more power for less heat.
- Rooms change. Insulation, glazing, extensions and how a room is used can all change what it needs. A unit that was right twenty years ago may not be right now.
We size the replacement on the room itself: its size, insulation, glazing and how you use it. The method is set out under heat pump sizing, and the single room calculator gives a rough starting point.
Choosing the new unit
You don’t have to stay with the same brand or type. A replacement is a chance to get the right unit for the room.
- High wall units suit most living areas and bedrooms. See high wall heat pumps.
- Floor consoles work where there’s no good high wall space, or under a window. See floor mounted heat pumps.
- Multi room systems replace an old single unit with several indoor units on one outdoor unit. See multi room heat pumps.
- Ducted systems suit a whole house renovation. See ducted heat pumps.
We install Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin, Fujitsu, Toshiba and Rinnai. You can read how the brands compare, and we’ll tell you which models we’d shortlist for your rooms.
What a replacement costs
A replacement usually costs less than a first install, because some of the work is already done. These things change the price of a heat pump installation:
- The size and type of the new unit.
- How much of the old route can be reused. New pipe or a moved hole adds work.
- Whether the electrical circuit needs upgrading.
- How easy the outdoor spot is to get to.
- Whether the old unit comes out cleanly. A rusted bracket or a seized valve takes longer.
Installations start from $1,950 incl. GST, for a Rinnai heat pump installed back to back and powered from an existing power point. Your quote is free, and we set out what’s reused and what’s new before you decide.
Replacements across Christchurch and Selwyn
Christchurch homes have their own reasons for replacing a heat pump. We plan each job around them.
- Frosty nights on the plains. Out west in Hornby, Wigram and Rolleston, hard frosts shorten an old unit’s life. We size the replacement for a frosty morning and raise the outdoor unit so defrost water drains away.
- Hillside homes. On the Port Hills in Cashmere, Cracroft and Lyttelton, the outdoor unit often sits on a bracket or deck. We plan the access and bracket at the quote.
- Salt air by the sea. Near the beach in Sumner and New Brighton, we place the outdoor unit out of the onshore wind and follow the maker’s guidance for coastal installs.
- Older villas and bungalows. Homes like those in St Albans often had one big unit in the lounge that never heated the back rooms. A replacement is a chance to get the sizing and placement right.
- Selwyn has its own rules. Rolleston, Lincoln, Prebbleton and Tai Tapu come under the Selwyn District Plan. The outdoor unit still has to stay quiet at the neighbour’s place.
If you rent, the Tenancy Services heating tool can tell you whether the replacement meets the Healthy Homes heating standard. We size the unit for that room and give you the model and capacity for your records.
Book a heat pump replacement quote
Tell us what the old unit is doing and we’ll take it from there. We check whether a repair makes more sense, and if it doesn’t, we quote the replacement: the unit, what we reuse, what we change and the electrical work. The quote is free. Get in touch to book a visit.
What a heat pump replacement involves
1
Recover the refrigerant
The gas in the old system is pumped out and collected, not released. We do this before anything is disconnected.
2
Remove both units
The indoor and outdoor units come off the wall, bracket and feet. We take the old pipework and cable away with them.
3
Check the old route
We look at the pipe route, the wall hole, the drain and the electrical circuit to see what the new unit can reuse and what has to change.
4
Size the new unit
We work out the heat the room actually needs, rather than matching the kW of the old unit.
5
Install and commission
The new system goes in, gets pressure tested and vacuumed, and is run in heating and cooling before we hand it over.
Heat pump brands we install in Christchurch
We install five brands and compare their models for your rooms, then suggest the one that fits, not whatever's in stock.
Service and repair
Other brands
Most other split and ducted heat pumps sold in New Zealand.
Heat pump replacement across Christchurch and Selwyn
We replace heat pumps in every Christchurch suburb, in Lyttelton, and in Rolleston, Lincoln, Prebbleton and Tai Tapu.
Replacing an old heat pump: your questions
Can the new heat pump reuse the old pipework?
Sometimes. The pipes have to be the right size for the new model, in good condition, and pressure tight. If they aren't, we run new pipe. We check this before you agree to anything.
Do I need a new wall hole and drain?
Often the old hole and drain can be reused. A different indoor unit may sit at a different height, and a new drain route may suit the wall better. We tell you which at the quote.
Will the new unit fit the old electrical circuit?
It depends on the circuit's size and what the new unit draws. If the switchboard has no spare capacity or the cable is too small, a licensed electrical worker sorts it before the unit goes in.
The old unit was the wrong size. Can you fix that?
Yes. Plenty of old units were oversized or undersized for the room. We size the replacement on the room, its insulation and glazing, so it heats properly and runs efficiently.
Is it worth repairing instead of replacing?
Sometimes. If the fault is minor and the unit is young, a repair makes sense. Compressor failure on an old unit, parts no longer made, or repeated faults usually point to replacement. We'll tell you which.
Get a free heat pump quote
Free quotes, no obligation. We call or email you back the same working day. Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Call 03 242 1023Request a call back