The NZ heat pump market has grown enormously — driven by the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme, rising energy costs, and increasing awareness of home comfort. If you're a qualified HVAC technician thinking about going out on your own, the demand is there. What you need is the right foundation.

Is the Timing Right?

Good signs

• 3+ years hands-on HVAC installation experience
• Refrigerant handling certification current
• Comfortable with customer communication
• Can quote jobs accurately from site assessment
• 3–6 months savings as a buffer

Warning signs

• Less than 2 years experience
• No refrigerant handling certification
• Uncomfortable with selling or pricing
• No savings buffer
• No network of builders or property managers

Phase 1: Licensing and Certification

Step 1: Refrigerant Handling Certification

In New Zealand, anyone who handles refrigerants must hold a current Refrigerant Handling Licence under the Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996, administered by the EPA. This applies to charging, recovering, or handling HFCs and HCFCs used in heat pumps and air conditioning systems.

Check your current licence status at the EPA website
Licences must be renewed — set a calendar reminder 8 weeks before expiry
The licence covers the refrigerant types you're qualified for — confirm your certification covers the units you plan to install (most modern heat pumps use R32 or R410A)

Step 2: Electrical Qualifications for Wiring Connections

Heat pump indoor and outdoor units require electrical connections. In NZ, any prescribed electrical work must be carried out by or under the supervision of an EWRB-registered electrician. If you plan to handle the wiring yourself:

You must hold a current EWRB practising licence for the relevant class
If not EWRB-registered, you'll need a subcontract arrangement with a registered electrician for all wiring connections
Many HVAC businesses employ or work alongside a registered electrician — establish this relationship before your first job

Warmer Kiwi Homes Accreditation

If you want to install heat pumps under the Warmer Kiwi Homes government subsidy programme (EECA), you need to be an accredited installer. This requires EECA registration and compliance with specific installation standards. The subsidy work is substantial — it's worth pursuing accreditation early.

Phase 2: Business Structure and Registration

Step 3: Choose Your Business Structure

Structure	Best For	Key Consideration
Sole Trader	Solo HVAC technicians starting out	Simplest and cheapest — personal liability
Limited Company	Planning to grow, or doing commercial work	Limited liability, more admin overhead

Step 4: Register for GST

Register for GST at ird.govt.nz. Mandatory once you expect to turn over $60,000/year — but worth registering from day one if you're doing commercial or government work, as it signals credibility to commercial clients. Heat pump installations often run $3,000–8,000 per job, so you'll hit the threshold quickly.

Phase 3: Insurance and Financial Setup

Step 5: Insurance

Public Liability Insurance (essential)

• Covers property damage and injury — particularly important in HVAC where a refrigerant leak or electrical fault can cause significant damage
• Minimum $2M cover — $5M+ for commercial work
• Cost: $1,500–4,000/year

Professional Indemnity Insurance

• Covers design and specification errors — relevant when recommending unit sizes and types
• Cost: $600–1,800/year

Tools, Equipment and Vehicle

• HVAC tools are expensive — vacuum pumps, manifold gauges, and leak detectors run $3,000–8,000 combined
• Cover theft and damage on-site and in transit

Step 6: Pricing Your Work

Typical NZ heat pump installation pricing (2026):

Residential installation

• Single split system (supply + install): $2,500–5,000
• Multi-split (2 units): $5,000–9,000
• Ducted system: $8,000–20,000+

Labour rates

• Service callout: $100–160/hr + GST
• Commercial work: $130–200/hr + GST
• Annual service (per unit): $120–200

Key rule: Always quote separately for the unit (at cost + margin) and the installation labour. Hidden margins on equipment are standard in the industry — make sure yours is built into your pricing model from day one.

Phase 4: Equipment

Step 7: Essential Tools

Day-one essentials ($5,000–10,000)

• Digital manifold gauge set
• Vacuum pump
• Refrigerant leak detector
• Refrigerant recovery machine
• Quality pipe bending and flaring tools
• Drill and core drill for wall penetrations
• Torque wrench (for flare connections)
• PPE and safety harness

Add as you grow

• Nitrogen cylinder and regulator (pressure testing)
• Thermal imaging camera
• Ladder stabiliser and roof safety equipment
• Ducted installation tools

Phase 5: Getting Your First Customers

Step 8: Building a Referral Network

HVAC is a referral-heavy business. Your best leads come from:

Builders and construction companies — they need heat pump installers on every new build. Getting on two or three builders' preferred installer lists can fill your calendar.
Property managers — they manage hundreds of rentals and need reliable HVAC service and installation on repeat.
Electrical contractors — they're often called first for heat pump jobs and subcontract the refrigeration work. Build relationships with local electricians.
Manufacturer dealerships — Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Daikin, and Fujitsu all have approved installer networks that generate referrals.

Step 9: Set Up Your Business Systems

Essential systems for an HVAC business

Job management and invoicing: Quote installations, track jobs, invoice the same day — use TPT HVAC
Service scheduling: Track annual service dates for every installed unit — automated reminders to customers
Warranty records: Store unit serial numbers, installation dates, and warranty periods by job
Refrigerant records: Log refrigerant type and quantity per job for compliance purposes
Accounting: Xero or MYOB for GST returns — connect to your job management system

Common First-Year Mistakes

Not tracking warranty details at installation

Every heat pump you install comes with a manufacturer warranty and potentially a workmanship warranty. If you don't record serial numbers and installation dates at the time of installation, warranty claims become guesswork.

Underpricing installation to win Warmer Kiwi Homes jobs

The government subsidy makes customers feel like the job should be cheap. Your time, materials, and overheads are the same regardless. Price correctly — the subsidy is for the customer, not for you to absorb.

No service reminder system

Annual servicing is recurring revenue from customers who already trust you. Without a system to remind them, that revenue goes to whoever answers the phone when the unit breaks down — which might not be you.

How to Start an HVAC Business in New Zealand