Is a floor mounted heat pump more expensive than a high wall unit?

Typically $500 to $1,000 more than an equivalent high wall unit due to the more complex low-level installation and pipe routing.

Do I need a council permit for a floor mounted heat pump in Takapuna?

Usually no. As long as the installation doesn't interfere with the structural integrity of the house or create a noise nuisance for neighbours, it's a permitted activity under Auckland Council rules.

Takapuna and North Shore Auckland

Floor Mounted Heat Pump Installation Takapuna

When a high wall unit isn't the right fit, a floor mounted heat pump is often the answer. Sits low on the wall, heats from the ground up, and works in rooms where wall mounting simply isn't possible. Craig installs all major brands across the North Shore.

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Works where wall mounting isn't possible Heats from floor level up All major brands installed Free on-site assessment

Floor mounted heat pump installed in a Takapuna North Shore living room

Installed from

$3,000 incl. GST

How much does a floor mounted heat pump cost in Takapuna? $3,000 to $6,000 installed, done in a day

Floor mounted units typically cost a little more than an equivalent high wall unit because of the additional complexity of low-level installation. Craig will recommend the right size and brand on the site visit and give you a written fixed-price quote before anything is ordered.

Floor mounted heat pump installation in a Takapuna North Shore home

What Is a Floor Mounted Heat Pump and When Does It Make Sense?

A floor mounted heat pump, sometimes called a floor console, sits low on the wall and distributes warm or cool air from near the floor upwards. This is actually a more natural and efficient way to heat a room, warm air rises, so starting from floor level means the heat fills the space more evenly.

On the North Shore, floor mounted units are the right call in a specific set of situations. Craig will identify these immediately on the site visit and recommend the right approach for your room.

Rooms with full-height windows or glazing where there's no wall space for a high wall unit
Conservatories and sunrooms where the roof or walls won't take a standard mount
Rooms below ground level such as basements or below-grade living areas
Older Devonport or Belmont villas with plaster walls that can't be drilled for high wall brackets
Situations where the homeowner prefers not to have a unit mounted high on the wall
Rooms where floor-level heating gives a more even temperature throughout the space

Three Rooms That Almost Always Need a Floor Mounted Unit

Craig sees the same situations come up again and again on the North Shore. Here are the most common reasons homeowners end up choosing floor mounted.

Full-height glazing and modern open plan

Many newer North Shore homes, especially in Albany, Silverdale and Pinehill, have floor-to-ceiling glazing that leaves no wall space for a high wall unit. A floor console sits neatly at skirting-board level against the one solid wall available and heats the space just as effectively.

Conservatories and sunrooms

Conservatories are notoriously hard to heat and cool. The glass roof and walls make mounting a high wall unit nearly impossible, and the temperature swings are extreme. A floor mounted unit handles this better than any other type, quietly sitting at ground level and managing the temperature year-round.

Craig's tip

If you're putting a unit in a conservatory, don't skimp on size. The heat gain through that much glass is massive. I'll help you pick a unit that won't just try to cool the room, but actually does it.

Below-ground or basement rooms

Below-grade rooms are damp, cool and often have limited or no usable wall space above ground level. A floor mounted heat pump is almost always the right call for a basement living area, rumpus room or below-ground bedroom on the North Shore.

Floor Mounted Heat Pump Cost in Takapuna

2026 installed prices including supply, installation and electrical work. All prices include GST.

Small to medium room

$3,000 to $4,200

Up to 30m2

Bedroom, study or small conservatory. Standard installation with straightforward pipe run.

Medium to large room

$4,000 to $5,500

30 to 50m2

Open plan living, large lounge or conservatory. Larger capacity unit required for even coverage.

Complex or large install

$5,000 to $6,500+

50m2 plus or difficult access

Basement rooms, long pipe runs or difficult outdoor unit placement. Craig confirms on site visit.

Floor mounted units typically cost slightly more than an equivalent high wall unit due to the additional complexity of low-level installation and pipework routing. The only accurate price is Craig's fixed-price quote after seeing your space. Read the full heat pump installation cost guide or use the sizing calculator for a rough estimate first.

Floor Mounted vs High Wall: Which Is Right for You?

Both are high wall split systems using the same technology. The difference is where the indoor unit sits and how the air is distributed.

Floor mounted unit

Sits low on the wall, heats from the ground up

✓Works in rooms with no usable wall space above dado height
✓More even heat distribution, warm air rises naturally through the room
✓Ideal for conservatories, basement rooms and full-glazing rooms
✓Less visible in rooms where you want to preserve wall space
✓Works well for elderly residents who prefer warmth at sitting height
✓Still provides great cooling, but Craig positions the vents to make sure cold air doesn't just pool at your feet

High wall unit

Sits high on the wall, pushes air across the room

✓Lower upfront cost, typically $500 to $1,000 cheaper than floor mounted
✓Works in most standard rooms with a solid wall above furniture height
✓More common, wider choice of brands and models available
✓Slightly faster installation in most homes
✓Better for cooling, cold air falls naturally from a high position

How Craig Installs a Floor Mounted Heat Pump

Most floor mounted installs take 4 to 6 hours. Same day result.

Site visit and quote

Craig checks your room, confirms floor mounted is the right call, designs the pipe route to the outdoor unit, and gives you a written fixed-price quote.

Free, no obligation

Unit ordered

Craig orders the right unit for your room. Most brands are available within a few days. Install date booked at the same time.

2 to 5 days

Installation day

The indoor unit is mounted low on the wall, pipework runs through or around the wall to the outdoor unit. Electrics connected and system commissioned. In older Devonport and Belmont villas, Craig takes extra care with how the unit is fixed to avoid cracking original lath-and-plaster.

4 to 6 hours

Running and signed off

Craig tests heating and cooling, walks you through the controls, and confirms you're happy. Running the same day.

Same day

Floor Mounted Heat Pump Questions

Why would I choose floor mounted over a standard high wall unit?

Usually because your room doesn't have usable wall space above furniture height. Full-height glazing, conservatories, basement rooms and older plaster-wall homes are the most common reasons on the North Shore. A floor mounted unit sits at skirting-board level and heats the space just as effectively, often with better heat distribution because warm air rises naturally. Craig will confirm on the site visit whether floor mounted is the right call for your specific room.

Is it more expensive than a high wall heat pump?

Typically $500 to $1,000 more than an equivalent high wall unit, mainly because the low-level installation is slightly more complex and the pipe routing takes longer. It's not a dramatic difference, and for rooms where floor mounted is the only real option, the price premium is well worth it.

Can it heat and cool?

Yes. Floor mounted heat pumps work in both heating and cooling mode, just like a high wall unit. The difference is that cooling is slightly less efficient from floor level because cold air naturally falls, so the unit has to work a little harder to circulate cool air throughout the room. For most North Shore homes cooling is secondary to heating, so this is rarely a concern in practice.

Where does the outdoor unit go?

The outdoor unit follows the same rules as any other heat pump, good airflow, not enclosed, and placed with neighbour proximity and council boundary rules in mind. Craig will design the pipe route on the site visit to keep runs as short as possible and the outdoor unit in the right location. For coastal North Shore homes he always specifies coastal-rated units to handle the salt air.

Do I need a council permit?

Usually no. As long as the installation doesn't interfere with the structural integrity of the house or place the outdoor unit where it creates a noise nuisance for the neighbours, it's a standard permitted activity under Auckland Council rules. Craig handles the placement to keep you compliant and will flag anything unusual during the site visit before any work starts.