Central Ducted Heating recommendations in christchurch

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Central Ducted Heating recommendations in christchurch

samgdan

160 posts

Master Geek

#288608 12-Jul-2021 09:33

Hi all,

I have decided to install a central ducted system in my home.

I looking for suggestions about companies in christchurch who are good doing that and also don't charge an arm and a leg.

Can anyone shared their experience please?

also point me to important things to look or ask? I know about the thermostat location. ducting size.

Thanks,

timmmay

20583 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2742887 12-Jul-2021 10:08

I have had two ducted systems installed this year - the first one was returned because of numerous problems. I'm going to write up my experiences when I get time. Here's a few thoughts:

If you have any north facing rooms or rooms that are different temperatures for other reasons (mostly the sun / lots of glass) you need a zoned system so you can turn zones on and off at a minimum, and ideally have thermostats in each room. Airtouch4 is not bad, better than not having zoning, but has its issues. Generally works ok. A key for this is a heat pump outdoor unit that can ramp down to low levels of output, as a well insulated house with only say three bedrooms enabled only needs less than 1kw of heating. If your heat pump minimum output is 4kw then you end up pushing a lot of heat to the spill zone.
If you go cheap with installers you will probably regret it. Installing a ducted heat pump is two days work for 2-4 people. Even installers who have installed 100 ducted heat pumps can be surprisingly poor. To work out a good one ask about how to deal with heat stratification, expecting answers like diffusers, floor level return. Also ask about their preference for central / per room returns, and if they like central returns do they prefer jump ducts, cutting doors, or return grills.
Do not buy Panasonic. They are VERY loud indoor and outdoor
If you can have a floor level return vent you will get much better performance. This requires a 300 - 400mm duct from the floor into the ceiling, but you can use something like a cupboard if it's centrally located
Diffuser selection is critical - size and style. The standard ones that look like domes push heat along the ceiling to the return vent, so the ceiling is warm and the floor is still cold. Something like these square four way diffusers work a lot better.

samgdan

160 posts

Master Geek

#2742894 12-Jul-2021 10:28

timmmay:

I have had two ducted systems installed this year - the first one was returned because of numerous problems. I'm going to write up my experiences when I get time. Here's a few thoughts:

If you have any north facing rooms or rooms that are different temperatures for other reasons (mostly the sun / lots of glass) you need a zoned system so you can turn zones on and off at a minimum, and ideally have thermostats in each room. Airtouch4 is not bad, better than not having zoning, but has its issues. Generally works ok. A key for this is a heat pump outdoor unit that can ramp down to low levels of output, as a well insulated house with only say three bedrooms enabled only needs less than 1kw of heating. If your heat pump minimum output is 4kw then you end up pushing a lot of heat to the spill zone.
If you go cheap with installers you will probably regret it. Installing a ducted heat pump is two days work for 2-4 people. Even installers who have installed 100 ducted heat pumps can be surprisingly poor. To work out a good one ask about how to deal with heat stratification, expecting answers like diffusers, floor level return. Also ask about their preference for central / per room returns, and if they like central returns do they prefer jump ducts, cutting doors, or return grills.
Do not buy Panasonic. They are VERY loud indoor and outdoor
If you can have a floor level return vent you will get much better performance. This requires a 300 - 400mm duct from the floor into the ceiling, but you can use something like a cupboard if it's centrally located
Diffuser selection is critical - size and style. The standard ones that look like domes push heat along the ceiling to the return vent, so the ceiling is warm and the floor is still cold. Something like these square four way diffusers work a lot better.

Thank you for your reply, very informative.

could you please let me know if you recommend any companies to do this sort of work? im located in christchurch.
Thanks,

timmmay

20583 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2742904 12-Jul-2021 10:48

I know nothing about Christchurch sorry. The best approach might be to call Daikin and ask who they recommend in Christchurch. Daikin and Mitsubishi are the only two ducted heat pump brands I'd consider.

samgdan

160 posts

Master Geek

#2742905 12-Jul-2021 10:49

timmmay:

I know nothing about Christchurch sorry. The best approach might be to call Daikin and ask who they recommend in Christchurch. Daikin and Mitsubishi are the only two ducted heat pump brands I'd consider.

ok no problems at all, thanks for your help.

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#2743175 12-Jul-2021 15:20

HPAC on Blenheim Rd.

I contacted them to get a quote for ducted heat pump system. They looked at our heating needs, house construction, and despite me really wanting a ducted system, and having easy sub-floor access, talked me into getting two separate heat pumps. one wall mounted and the other floor mounted.

Mentioned not because I'm trying to talk anybody out of ducted heat pumps, but their salesperson took the time to actually consider things thoroughly, and convinced me to save probably $8k. Also for things like the heat pumps they did install, I thought that bigger was better, but they correctly estimated/calculated capacity needed, and talked me in to smaller units than I thought I'd need, the smaller pumps also being more efficient (COP).

If the result had been less than ideal, I'd not be recommending them, but it's been perfect - so I give them 5 stars.

Nice and neat install too - tidy cable and pipe runs.

samgdan

160 posts

Master Geek

#2743180 12-Jul-2021 15:24

Fred99:

HPAC on Blenheim Rd.

I contacted them to get a quote for ducted heat pump system. They looked at our heating needs, house construction, and despite me really wanting a ducted system, and having easy sub-floor access, talked me into getting two separate heat pumps. one wall mounted and the other floor mounted.

Mentioned not because I'm trying to talk anybody out of ducted heat pumps, but their salesperson took the time to actually consider things thoroughly, and convinced me to save probably $8k. Also for things like the heat pumps they did install, I thought that bigger was better, but they correctly estimated/calculated capacity needed, and talked me in to smaller units than I thought I'd need, the smaller pumps also being more efficient (COP).

If the result had been less than ideal, I'd not be recommending them, but it's been perfect - so I give them 5 stars.

noted, thank you so much. I hope to have at least one or two more recommendations :-)

timmmay

20583 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2743182 12-Jul-2021 15:29

Bigger heat pumps have higher minimum outputs to, so they might cycle on and off rather than staying on low.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

sen8or

1789 posts

Uber Geek

#2743184 12-Jul-2021 15:31

We see Beattie air do a lot of the mechanical (HVAC work) on multiple construction sites we work on, their work is always tidy. I work for an electrical contractor and whilst our guys "can do" heatpumps, it isn't our specialty so won't put forward the company I work for.

sen8or

1789 posts

Uber Geek

#2743185 12-Jul-2021 15:33

Is it for a new build or retrofit to existing house? Will be cheaper to install in a new build if you can.

samgdan

160 posts

Master Geek

#2743189 12-Jul-2021 15:37

sen8or:

Is it for a new build or retrofit to existing house? Will be cheaper to install in a new build if you can.

retrofit, it will be awesome if it was a new build

33coupe

988 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#2746455 19-Jul-2021 10:22

I've recently built new in Christchurch and went with ATL for ducted heatpump and Lossnay Best Price I found with q card finance available.
Can't fault service or install, Chris was awesome to deal with
I wish I had zones but unfortunately wasn't in budget