Hillsborough sits up on the ridge and gets exposed in winter in a way the flat suburbs don't. Most of the housing is solid mid-century weatherboard and brick-and-tile. These homes respond well to a properly sized heat pump and hold the heat better than you'd think.
Local knowledge: Hillsborough's housing is mostly mid-century, and that matters for installation. Weatherboard homes from the 1940s to 1960s get a standard pipe penetration, but older switchboards often need a dedicated circuit before the job can go ahead. Brick-and-tile homes from the 1970s need masonry core drilling. The elevation also means cold, windy winters, which is exactly why getting the right-sized unit for each room matters more here than in sheltered low-lying suburbs. My Hillsborough specialist identifies your construction type at the site visit and prices accordingly, before anything is ordered.
The right system and the right installation method both depend on your home's era. Here is how the three main Hillsborough housing types differ.
Most Hillsborough homes suit one of three system types. The right choice depends on how many rooms you want to heat and how the home is laid out.
A high-wall unit in the main living area covers the most-used space first. Most Hillsborough homeowners start here. It is the fastest to install, the lowest upfront cost, and it handles the room where you spend the most time. Given the colder winters this elevated suburb gets, getting that living area sorted first makes a real difference. If you want bedrooms covered later, a second unit or a multi-split can be added.
A multi-split system runs two, three, or four indoor units from a single outdoor unit. This suits Hillsborough homes where you want the living area and bedrooms covered without placing multiple outdoor units on a sloped or constrained section. One outdoor unit is easier to site than two or three on a typical Hillsborough section.
Hillsborough's 1940s to 1970s single-storey homes with accessible ceiling cavities can suit a ducted system that heats the whole home from concealed ceiling vents. No visible indoor units, even heating throughout. The specialist I send to Hillsborough assesses ceiling cavity access at the site visit to confirm whether ducted is feasible for your property.
My Hillsborough specialist identifies your cladding type at the site visit. Weatherboard, brick-and-tile, and newer infill homes each have different drilling requirements and different pricing. You receive a quote that reflects your actual home, not a generic estimate adjusted later.
Hillsborough's housing spans several decades of switchboard standards. Older mid-century homes in particular can need a new dedicated circuit before the install can go ahead. If that is the case ($300–$800), that cost is in the fixed price before you commit, not added on the day.
All wiring is carried out by registered electricians. You receive an Electrical Certificate of Compliance on completion, a legal document required for your home's records and any future sale.
Every install is backed by a 12-month workmanship guarantee on top of the manufacturer warranty. He only services what he installs, so if something is not right within that period, he comes back.
Most single-room jobs are done within a week of your first call.
Get in touch and give me a sense of your home, what you want to heat, and how many rooms are involved. I match you with the specialist I trust in Hillsborough, someone I know personally from my years in the trade.
Free, no obligationHe checks your cladding type, ceiling cavity, switchboard, and outdoor unit placement options. You receive a written quote covering supply, installation, drilling costs, wall-bracket mounting where required, electrical work, and Certificate of Compliance.
Within 48 hoursWeatherboard installs run 4 to 6 hours. Brick-and-tile takes slightly longer due to masonry drilling. He works cleanly and leaves the site tidy.
4 to 6 hoursThe system is started up and tested. He walks you through the controls. Your registered electrician issues the Certificate of Compliance on the same day.
Same dayThe specialist I recommend covers Hillsborough and the surrounding Central Auckland suburbs.
See the full list of service areas across Central Auckland, or visit the Mt Eden installation page for general information. Return to the Mt Eden Heat Pumps homepage.
The specialist I recommend assesses the building type, identifies the right system, and gives you a price that covers the actual job. No surprises on install day.