A heat pump / air conditioning system is an investment for the home and the family. Before making a purchase it’s important to understand the layout of your home, and research potential options that might suit your budget and your specific requirements. It’s important to know what to look for when buying a heat pump / air conditioner through a specialist. To help you with your research, we’ve put together five questions to ask when buying a heat pump / air conditioner for your home.

What size heat pump / air conditioner do I need?

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when purchasing a new heat pump / air conditioner. All homes and families are different with unique needs and requirements. Before visiting a heat pump / air conditioning specialist or retailer, know the size of each room you would like to heat or cool. The size and number of the rooms will determine how powerful a heat pump / air conditioner needs to be to perform effectively in the space. While factors such as the size and number of rooms you wish to heat or cool are important, other considerations include the construction of your home, the type of dwelling, insulation, windows, ceiling height and any energy-saving devices you already have installed.

What type of system should I buy?

Once you have a good idea of the space you need to heat or cool you can decide on what system is best for your needs. There are several reasons why one type of heat pump / air conditioner may be better suited to your home. Smaller homes, townhouses and units may best suit one or two split system units. For larger homes, if there are more than two rooms to heat or cool, a multi system might be best. If you are looking for a whole home comfort solution, and have sufficient ceiling space, a ducted heat pump / air conditioning system could be more suitable. A professional will give you guidance on what systems are suitable options for your needs.

What control options are available?

How you would like to control your heat pump / air conditioning system is an important factor to consider as this can help make operation more convenient and provide consistent indoor comfort. With controller options ranging from traditional remote controls and simple wired controllers to more premium backlit wired remote controllers, there are controllers to suit almost every preference.

Fujitsu General also offers a suite of Wi-Fi solutions with the anywAiR® technology range. Fujitsu General’s anywAiR® technology Wi-Fi adpator II plugs easily into a select range of compatible Fujitsu General heat pumps / air conditioners, including the wall mounted Lifestyle range indoor unit, enabling Wi-Fi control of the heat pump / air conditioner. A discreet solution that allows you to control your heat pump / air conditioner from anywhere by smartphone or tablet using the myanywAiR® Next app. So, whether you’re at the office or a soccer game, you can feel confident about coming back to a comfortable home.

If you are looking for Wi-Fi control with your new ducted system, the anywAiR® technology ducted zone controller provides Wi-Fi control and zoning for a selected range of Fujitsu ducted heat pump / air conditioning systems via a wall mounted touch pad, and the anywAiR® app compatible with selected smartphone and tablet devices.

How do I identify an energy efficient heat pump / air conditioner?

Wall Mounted reverse cycle heat pump / air conditioners display a star rating for heating mode and cooling mode. Blue stars rate cooling efficiency and red stars assess heating. The better the star rating, the more energy efficient the unit performs. Fujitsu General’s Lifestyle range of heat pump / air conditioners also feature a range of energy management features such as timer settings, Human Sensor Control, and economy mode.

How long is the warranty?

Fujitsu General New Zealand provides a 6 year full parts and labour warranty for all domestic heat pump / air conditioning systems installed by a Fujitsu Accredited Installer.

If you are having difficulty choosing a heat pump / air conditioner for your home, the Fujitsu General Assist Product Selector Tool can help. The tool takes into account your area, dwelling type and the number of rooms you wish to cool or heat, and provides recommendations for Fujitsu General heat pump / air conditioners that will work best in your home. Check out the tool and our product range by clicking the link above. If you have any further heat pump questions, please contact Fujitsu General directly.

What to Look for When Buying a Heat Pump / Air Conditioner: Additional Tips

Are there any rebates or tax incentives available?

There are a number of incentives available for those looking to purchase a heat pump / air conditioner in New Zealand, including the Warmer Kiwi Homes Scheme. If you own a home built before 2008 and have a Community Services Card, you are eligible to receive up to 80 percent off the cost of a new heat pump / air conditioner. You can check if you are eligible at: https://www.eeca.govt.nz/co-funding-and-support/products/warmer-kiwi-homes-programme/

Additionally, some utility providers offer rebates to residents who purchase ENERGY STAR certified heat pump / air conditioners. Many models in the Fujitsu General range have been recognised with this certification, and could be eligible for discounts from your energy provider.

What are the maintenance requirements of a heat pump / air conditioner?

To ensure your heat pump / air conditioner continues to perform in New Zealand’s unique climate, it is important that maintenance be performed on the unit regularly. Some tasks you can do yourself, however an inspection by a licensed technician is recommended at least once a year.

Heat pump / air conditioner maintenance tasks you can perform yourself include checking the outdoor unit for debris or obstructions, dusting vents or any other accessible areas on indoor units, cleaning the filters and replacing batteries in your remote control to ensure the unit is always operable.

What is the manufacturer’s reputation?

The manufacturer’s reputation relates to how favourably the maker of your heat pump / air conditioner is perceived by the public. Fujitsu General has established a favourable reputation for producing high quality heat pump / air conditioners and offering excellent after sales service.

Heat pump / air conditioners are a versatile and efficient way of cooling your home during summer and heating it during winter. We have outlined what to look for and what questions to ask when buying a heat pump / air conditioner, enabling you to make a more informed decision on which unit will suit your home. If you require any more information, you can use the Fujitsu Assist Product Selector Tool to find the most applicable unit for your home, or contact us with any heat pump questions you may have.