Moving your heat pump outdoor unit to a quieter or more convenient spot might seem straightforward, but in New Zealand it involves restricted electrical and refrigerant work that must be carried out by licensed professionals. The short answer is: no, you cannot legally do this yourself — but you can prepare the site and make decisions that keep costs down.
Why You Can't Simply Move It Yourself
Relocating an outdoor unit involves at least two types of legally restricted work in New Zealand:
- Refrigerant handling: Heat pump systems use refrigerants (such as R32 or R410A) that are controlled substances under NZ environmental regulations. Only a certified refrigeration technician can legally recover, handle, and recharge refrigerant. Venting refrigerant to atmosphere is illegal and harmful to the environment.
- Electrical work: The outdoor unit is connected to a dedicated electrical circuit. Disconnecting, extending, or reconnecting that wiring is restricted electrical work under the Electricity Act 1992. Only a registered electrician can legally perform this work. You can check registration requirements at the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB).
Attempting either of these tasks yourself could result in fines, voided insurance, a voided manufacturer's warranty, and serious personal injury.
What the Job Actually Involves
When a qualified installer relocates an outdoor unit, they typically:
- Recover the refrigerant from the system safely before disconnecting anything.
- Disconnect the electrical supply at the isolator and disconnect the wiring.
- Disconnect the refrigerant pipework (the insulated copper lines running between indoor and outdoor units).
- Physically move the unit to the new location and mount it on a suitable pad or bracket.
- Run new or extended refrigerant pipework and electrical cabling to the new position.
- Pressure-test, vacuum, and recharge the system with the correct refrigerant charge.
- Test and commission the system to confirm it's running correctly.
Depending on how far the unit is being moved, the job may also require a building consent if new penetrations through the building envelope are needed. Always check with your local council — consent requirements vary. You can find general guidance on Schedule 1 exemptions at MBIE Building Performance.
What You CAN Do as a Homeowner
While the technical work must be left to the pros, there are several things you can do to prepare and save on labour costs:
- Choose the new location carefully. Consider noise impact on neighbours, airflow clearances (check the manufacturer's installation manual), distance from the indoor unit (longer pipe runs increase cost and can reduce efficiency), and shade from direct afternoon sun.
- Prepare the mounting surface. You can pour a concrete pad or install a purpose-made plastic mounting pad at the new location yourself — no licence required for this groundwork.
- Clear the area of vegetation, debris, or obstacles before the technician arrives.
- Check your warranty terms. Some manufacturers require installation and relocation to be carried out by an authorised installer to keep the warranty valid.
Noise Considerations Before You Relocate
Before committing to a relocation, it's worth understanding why the unit is noisy. Sometimes the issue isn't location at all:
- Loose panels or vibrating components can often be tightened or dampened cheaply.
- Anti-vibration mounts or pads placed under the unit can significantly reduce transmitted noise.
- Debris inside the unit (leaves, dirt on the fan) can cause rattling — a service clean may solve the problem.
- Age and wear: Older units naturally become noisier. If your unit is over 10–15 years old, replacement may be more cost-effective than relocation.
A qualified heat pump technician can assess whether relocation is truly necessary or whether a simpler fix will do the job.
Typical Costs (As a Guide Only)
Relocation costs vary widely depending on the distance moved, pipe run length, and whether new electrical cabling is needed. As a very rough guide, expect to pay more than a standard installation due to the additional refrigerant recovery and recharge steps. Get at least two or three quotes from qualified installers. You can find local heat pump installers on tradedirectory.co.nz.
Building Code and Healthy Homes Considerations
If your property is a rental, note that the Tenancy Services Healthy Homes standards require heating that meets specific requirements. Relocating a heat pump must not reduce its heating capacity or effectiveness in the main living area. Ensure any relocation still meets your obligations as a landlord.
For all installations, the outdoor unit placement should comply with the NZ Building Code — particularly Clause E2 (External Moisture) if any new wall penetrations are made, and manufacturer clearance requirements for airflow.
When to Call a Professional
You should always engage a licensed heat pump installer or refrigeration technician for any work involving refrigerant pipework or electrical disconnection and reconnection. Look for someone who is:
- A registered electrician (check EWRB)
- Certified to handle refrigerants under NZ regulations
- Ideally an authorised installer for your heat pump brand
For peace of mind, find a qualified local heat pump installer through tradedirectory.co.nz.
Safety note: Never attempt to disconnect refrigerant lines yourself. Refrigerant can cause frostbite on contact and the system is under high pressure. Always isolate the electrical supply at the switchboard before anyone works near the unit — and even then, leave electrical disconnection to a registered electrician.
ISO 9001
