Best Hot Water Heat Pump Brands in New Zealand (2026 Review)

This review covers the five hot water heat pump brands we could verify as having genuine New Zealand retail presence in 2026: Reclaim Energy, Rheem, Rinnai, Stiebel Eltron and Econergy. Brands sold in Australia but without verified NZ retail channels are deliberately excluded rather than padded in.

What we weigh:

• Configuration: split systems are quieter and place flexibly; integrated units are simpler and cheaper to install.
• Cold-climate capability: refrigerant choice (CO2 vs R290/R134a) drives winter performance, which matters from Canterbury south.
• Cylinder sizes: match to household size per our sizing guide.
• Price and support: indicative installed pricing and the strength of NZ distribution.

We do not accept payment from any manufacturer for placement in this review. All prices are indicative as at June 2026, GST inclusive where installed prices are shown. Model line-ups change: confirm current models, specs and pricing with your installer.

Best for: cold climates, quiet operation, maximum efficiency

Reclaim Energy's CO2 split system is distributed in New Zealand via Apricus Eco NZ and sits firmly in the premium tier. The same physical unit has built its reputation across the Tasman, with the CO2 refrigerant cycle that holds efficiency in hard frosts.

Key characteristics:

• Type: split system (separate outdoor compressor unit and cylinder)
• Refrigerant: CO2 (R744), strong performance well below freezing
• Noise: quiet split-system operation, well suited to placement near living areas
• Cylinders: stainless steel options in family sizes (confirm the current NZ line-up)

Pros: the best cold-weather performer in the NZ market, very quiet, stainless cylinder durability, premium build.

Cons: premium price (quote-based through installers), and a split installation costs more than dropping in an integrated unit.

Best suited for: Central Otago, Southland, Canterbury and anywhere with hard frosts; households that want the quietest option; buyers planning to keep the system 15 years. Read the full Reclaim Energy review.

Best for: availability, trusted name, sharpest installed bundles

Rheem is one of the most recognised hot water names in New Zealand, with deep installer coverage. Its NZ hot water heat pump range spans the EcoPlus split system and the AmbiPower and AmbiHeat integrated units.

Key characteristics:

• Type: both split (EcoPlus) and integrated (AmbiPower / AmbiHeat)
• Pricing: installed bundles from about $6,399; the AmbiHeat HDc-270 integrated 270L unit runs about $8,299 installed
• Cylinder class: 270L family size in the AmbiHeat HDc-270

Pros: the easiest brand to get quoted, installed and serviced almost anywhere in NZ; entry bundles are among the sharpest real installed prices in the market; choice of split or integrated within one brand.

Cons: integrated units run louder than premium splits; entry bundles are entry spec, so check exactly which model a low headline price refers to.

Best suited for: straightforward replacements where speed, parts and installer availability matter; budget-conscious buyers starting from the $6,399 bundle. Read the full Rheem review.

Best for: larger households, strong NZ support network

Rinnai is a household name in NZ hot water, historically through gas, and its electric line-up now includes the Enviroflo and the HydraHeat integrated hot water heat pumps.

Key characteristics:

• Type: integrated
• Cylinder sizes: HydraHeat in 275L and 340L
• Pricing: HydraHeat 275L about $8,299 installed

Pros: the 340L HydraHeat is one of the few mainstream NZ options sized for big families; long-established NZ service and parts network; a natural conversation for households leaving a Rinnai gas system.

Cons: integrated configuration carries the usual noise and placement trade-offs versus splits.

Best suited for: households of four or more (340L), and gas-to-electric switchers who want to stay with a brand they know. Read the full Rinnai review.

Best for: German engineering, build quality

Stiebel Eltron has over a century of heating engineering behind it, and its NZ range centres on the WWK 222H and WWK 302H integrated hot water heat pumps, the same physical units sold internationally.

Key characteristics:

• Type: integrated
• Sizes: WWK 222H (around 220L class) and WWK 302H (around 300L class)
• Pricing: supply about $5,500-6,800, plus installation

Pros: precision build quality and a strong reliability reputation; the WWK series is a proven global product; sensible sizes for 2-4 person households.

Cons: supply-plus-install pricing makes total cost less predictable than bundle pricing, so get the full installed figure in writing; parts can take longer to source than for the local volume brands.

Best suited for: buyers who value engineering pedigree and plan to hold the system long-term. Read the full Stiebel Eltron review.

Best for: NZ-designed product, local support

Econergy is the New Zealand brand in the line-up, building integrated hot water heat pump cylinders designed for NZ homes and water conditions.

Key characteristics:

• Type: integrated hot water heat pump cylinders
• Origin: NZ brand with local support

Pros: local design and support; integrated cylinders that slot naturally into the standard NZ cylinder-cupboard-to-outdoor transition; backing your local industry.

Cons: smaller brand footprint than the multinationals; model and pricing details are quote-based, so lean on your installer for current specifics.

Best suited for: buyers who want a NZ product and a direct local support line. Read the full Econergy review.

Indicative June 2026 pricing, GST inclusive where installed prices are shown. Models and prices change; confirm current details with your installer.

• Cold climates (Central Otago, Southland, Canterbury frosts): Reclaim Energy. CO2 refrigerant holds efficiency where others derate.
• Noise-sensitive placement: Reclaim Energy (split) or Rheem's EcoPlus split. Splits put the compressor away from bedrooms and boundaries.
• Sharpest installed price: Rheem bundles from about $6,399.
• Large households: Rinnai HydraHeat 340L.
• Build quality and longevity: Stiebel Eltron WWK series.
• Backing a NZ brand: Econergy.

Whichever way you lean, get the full installed price in writing, confirm the exact model, and compare up to 3 quotes from local installers before committing. Remember the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 sits behind every purchase regardless of brand.