Are heat pumps cheap to run? Five factors that affect your running costs. 

1. ENERGY STAR RATING

The more stars on a heat pump model, the more energy efficient it’s going to be. Red stars show how efficient it is at heating and blue stars show how efficient it will be at cooling. The “Star” label changed in 2021 and is now called a Zoned Energy Rating Label. You notice it shows Australia as well as New Zealand. This is because the new labels are part of a trans-Tasman Equipment Energy Efficiency program aimed to align regulations, reduce costs for business, and to ensure consumers in different climatic zones get consistent energy comparisons. As well as stars, the label shows how much electricity the unit will use per year. So don’t just look at the price of the unit, look for lower red and blue numbers on the label!

2. HOME INSULATION

Most modern homes are well-insulated with wall, ceiling and underflooring insulation. But if you live in an older villa style home, you might find your insulation is letting more heat out than you’re pumping in! Windows, too, can let a lot of warmth out, especially if there are gaps or have no double glazing. To make the most of your heat pump, it pays to ensure your insulation is up to standard. If it’s not, then Oxygen Air recommends checking with Warmer Kiwi Homes to see if your home is eligible for insulation and heat pump funding.

3. TEMPERATURE SETTINGS

Some people run hot or cold, so if you like living in an oven, chances are your electricity bill will be burning a hole in your bank account. The most efficient temperature to set your heat pump is between 18-21°C. Once the heat pump has reached the set temperature, it can tick away efficiently using very little energy to maintain the comfort level you’ve selected. Try not to keep switching it on and off every time you walk out of the room as heat pumps are designed to perform best at maintaining a level temperature, rather than in big surges. Of course, if you’re leaving home for a few hours, then turn it off. But if you’re just popping round to see the neighbour, it’s cheaper to leave it running.

4. ELECTRICITY RATES

Who you choose for your power supply will naturally determine whether your heat pumps are cheap to run. Using the annual kilowatt-hours (kWh) from the Zoned Energy Rating Label, you can then use this figure together with the tariff cost from your electricity bill to calculate how much a particular model will cost to run. For example, if the heat pump is 1900 Kwh for heating, and your Kwh cost from your power supplier is 30 cents then your heat pump cost will be around $570 a year to keep your home toasty.

Tip from Oxygen Air: Only compare models with the same Star rating to get a true cost comparison.

5. MAINTENANCE

Heat pumps are not “install and forget”. They need regular maintenance to keep them performing efficiently and the air you’re breathing – healthy. The filters need cleaning or sometimes replacing. If you’ve had building work done around the house, with lots of sanding and dust then definitely get your units serviced. Most importantly, the refrigerant level needs to be frequently checked. We live in the Shaky Isles and those jolts can cause refrigerant leaks to the outside unit as can expansion and retraction on very hot days. So, it’s best to get a regular annual service from experts like Oxygen Air. Not just some Johnny with a water blaster.