It has now been almost 15 years since the Christchurch earthquakes and that means something most homeowners have not thought about:
The heat pump installed during the rebuild is probably reaching the end of its expected lifespan.
Between 2011 and 2013 thousands of Christchurch homes received new heat pumps as part of insurance repairs and rebuilds. Fast forward to 2025 and those systems are now:
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12 to 14 years old
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Running less efficiently
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Using outdated refrigerants
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More likely to fail in winter
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Costing more to run
This is a major turning point for Christchurch homeowners.
How Long Should a Heat Pump Last in Christchurch
Most major brands including Daikin and Mitsubishi Electric have an expected lifespan of around 15 years depending on:
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How often it has been serviced
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Conditions at the property
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Use during winter
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Whether filters were cleaned
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Whether outdoor units were exposed to salt air
Many rebuild homes were built quickly and not all units were installed with ideal clearance or airflow which can shorten lifespan.
Signs Your Earthquake Era Heat Pump Is Near End of Life
You may start noticing:
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Slower heating or cooling
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Higher power bills
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Noises from the outdoor unit
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A musty or dirty smell
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Reduced airflow
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Water leaking
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Struggles on cold mornings
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Frequent error codes
If your heat pump is over 12 years old and showing any of these signs replacement is usually better than repair.
Why Repairing an Old Unit Is Often Not Worth It
Older units have:
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Outdated parts
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Lower refrigerant efficiency
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Higher running costs
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Weaker compressors
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Poor heating output in cold Canterbury weather
Repair costs can quickly exceed half the cost of a replacement.
Benefits of Replacing Your Old Heat Pump Now
Replacing an ageing unit gives you:
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Much lower running costs
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Quieter operation
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Better performance in frosty weather
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Smart phone control
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Cleaner air
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Full warranty
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Better overall comfort
Why Christchurch Homeowners Choose Beattie Air
Beattie Air has helped more than 5000 Christchurch homeowners since the earthquakes with:
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Heat pump replacements
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New installations
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Servicing and repairs
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Ducted system upgrades
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Healthy Homes heating
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Commercial heating
We are Christchurchs Most Trusted Air Conditioning Company and install only premium Daikin and Mitsubishi Electric systems.
Unsure If Your Heat Pump Was Installed After the Quakes
We can check the age and performance of your system during a free home inspection.
Book Your Free Heat Pump Replacement Assessment
0800 80 85 80
www.beattieair.co.nz
