How much does it cost to run a heat pump?

The answer starts from the official energy figure on the energy rating label. This page uses the median of every heat pump registered for sale in New Zealand in our dataset, then scales it to your usage and your electricity price. Change the assumptions to match your home.

Short answer. The median heat pump registered for sale in New Zealand has 3,714 kWh a year on its label. At the cold zone label figure and 33c/kWh, that is about $1,225 a year. Half of the models on the market fall between $693 and $2,261 at the same usage.

Where to find the numbers

The zoned annual kWh is on the energy rating label and in the registration. Your electricity price is the unit rate on your bill (c/kWh).

What the figure is based on

The Zoned Energy Rating Label gives an annual kWh for a residential user in the cold zone, which is the figure that applies to New Zealand. It includes heating and cooling at standard usage hours.

What changes the cost

• Climate zone and hours of use: the label figures assume standard hours for each zone; longer or hotter seasons push real use above them.
• Set temperature: each degree closer to the outside temperature saves roughly 5–10% of cooling or heating energy.
• Unit size for the room: an undersized unit runs flat out; an oversized one short-cycles. Both cost more than a right-sized one.
• Insulation, shading and draughts: heat leaking in or out is what the unit has to work against.
• Filter and outdoor unit condition: a dirty filter or a blocked outdoor coil reduces efficiency.

Compare heat pumps by energy use and running cost to see every model behind this figure.

Not sure what size you need? Use the heat pump size calculator first.

For a specific model or any other appliance, use the electricity cost calculator.