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However, recent publicity about outside units corroding when exposed to salty sea air and Rotorua’s sulphur-laden atmosphere may worry many homeowners.
The warranties of many leading brands of heat pumps do not cover damage caused by exposure to corrosive substances but it’s not all bad news.
Mike Plain, of Auckland Heat Pumps, has more than two decades of experience in the industry and has never seen rust demolish the outside unit of a pump he has installed.
“We’ve installed heat pumps in multimillion-dollar homes that are right on the water and never had a problem,” Mike says.
“There is so much junk on the market and I wonder if that’s what the problem is.”
Heat pumps are easy lifestyle options but, like all household items, they are not entirely maintenance free.
To protect the outside unit it’s recommended to occasionally turn the pump off and hose it down to remove any corrosive residue.
“I’m sure there are different types of units and some handle it better than others,” says Mike. “You can get a clear plastic type of spray to put on the outside of the unit that I’ve seen in extreme locations.”
In Rotorua it is common practice to put an extra protective coating on units installed in the highly corrosive geothermal region.
To maximise operation it is also important to clean internal air filters every three months. Some brands do this automatically and others indicate when cleaning is required.
Product manuals should be checked for maintenance guidance.
The Government agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority website — www.eeca.govt.nz — has information about heat-pump maintenance but does not warn people about potential rust problems.