Choosing the right setup
Heat pump types explained
High-wall, multi-split, multi-room or floor console? Here's a plain rundown of the main heat pump types, who each one suits and roughly what it costs, so you can work out what fits your home before we visit.
The main heat pump types are the high-wall split for one room, the multi-split that runs several heads off one outdoor unit, multi-room setups for most of the house, and the floor console that sits low like a heater. The type you need drives the price more than the brand does.
This page sits alongside our other heat pump pages for Wellington, and it's here to help you choose before you commit. Once you know the type, our guide to heat pump installation cost in New Zealand puts real figures next to each one, and our heat pump installation in Wellington page covers how we fit them.
Heat pump types at a glance
| Type | Best for | Rough installed price |
|---|---|---|
| High-wall split | One room or open-plan living | $2,000 to $5,500 |
| Multi-split | A few rooms off one outdoor unit | $5,000 to $13,000 |
| Multi-room (whole home) | Most or all of the house | $5,000 to $25,000+ |
| Floor console | Under a window or replacing a fire | $3,000 to $5,500 |
Rough installed prices for greater Wellington homes in 2026, not a quote. See the heat pump installation cost page for the full breakdown.
High-wall heat pumps
This is the one most people picture: a slim unit mounted high on the wall, paired with a single outdoor unit. It's the most common type we fit, and for good reason. It's efficient, quiet, quick to install and the cheapest way to get a room warm.
Who it suits: a lounge, an open-plan living area, a bedroom, or any single space you want warm. If you're heating one main room, this is almost always the answer.
Rough price: around $2,000 to $2,800 for a small unit, up to about $5,500 for a large one sized for a big, south-facing living room.
Multi-split heat pumps
A multi-split runs two or more indoor heads from a single outdoor unit. You still get a unit on the wall in each room, but there's only one box outside, which keeps things tidy and frees up wall and ground space.
Who it suits: homes that want a few separate rooms warm, say a living area and a couple of bedrooms, without an outdoor unit for each. Handy on smaller sections where there's nowhere to put three outdoor units.
Rough price: about $5,000 to $9,500 for two or three rooms, and up to around $13,000 once you're running four or more heads.
Multi-room heat pumps
If you want most of the house warm, not just one or two rooms, you've got a choice to make. A multi-split is one route. A ducted system is the other, and for a whole house it's usually the better answer.
A ducted heat pump system hides one unit in the ceiling and feeds warm air to every room through discreet vents, so nothing shows on the walls and the warmth is even from room to room. It costs more upfront, but for whole-home comfort it's hard to beat.
Who it suits: larger homes, new builds, and anyone who wants the whole place comfortable rather than chasing heat from room to room.
Rough price: from about $5,000 for a multi-split covering a few rooms, with whole-home ducted typically starting around $12,000 and climbing with the size of the house.
Floor console heat pumps
A floor console does the same job as a high-wall unit but sits low, near the floor, much like a traditional heater. It's a good fit where you can't or don't want to mount a unit up high.
Who it suits: rooms with limited wall space, homes replacing an old gas or wood fire in the same spot, and anyone who likes warmth coming in at floor level. They suit older Wellington villas well.
Rough price: around $3,000 to $5,500 installed, depending on size and the run to the outdoor unit.
Which type is right for your home?
It comes down to how many rooms you want warm and how the house is laid out. One room points to a high-wall or console; a few rooms to a multi-split; the whole house to ducted. We fit every type and every major brand, so we'll recommend on what actually suits you, then back it by servicing the heat pump we install for the long run. Once you've got a type in mind, you can find the right size for your room in about a minute.
Common questions about heat pump types
What is the most common type of heat pump?
A high-wall split is the most common type by a long way. It is the single unit you see mounted high on a wall, paired with one outdoor unit, and it heats one room or an open-plan living space. It is the cheapest type to fit and suits most Wellington homes that want one main area warm.
What is the difference between a multi-split and a ducted heat pump?
A multi-split runs several visible indoor heads from one outdoor unit, so you see a unit in each room. A ducted system hides one indoor unit in the ceiling and pushes warm air to several rooms through discreet vents, so nothing shows on the walls. Ducted costs more but gives even, hidden whole-home warmth.
Which heat pump type is the cheapest?
A single high-wall split for one room is the cheapest. A small unit starts at roughly $2,000 to $2,800 installed. Costs climb as you add capacity, extra rooms or a ducted system, so the type you need drives the price more than the brand.
Still weighing up the options?
Tell us about your home and we'll recommend the right type, with an honest price.