Floor console heat pumps for Auckland homes
Sitting low on the wall, a floor console pushes warmth out at floor level and takes the chill off a cold room quickly. It's a solid pick where a high-wall unit won't fit.
A floor console heat pump mounts at the bottom of the wall, near the skirting, rather than up high. It blows warm air out at floor level so cold, damp rooms warm up fast. It suits Auckland villas and bungalows where wall space or full-height windows rule out a high-wall unit.
Why floor consoles work in older Auckland homes
Plenty of villas and bungalows around the isthmus and out west just don't have the wall for a high-wall unit. Full-height windows, tall skirtings, picture rails and heritage detailing eat up the space. A floor console sits low, tucks under a window and stays out of the way.
These homes are usually single-glazed and a bit damp, so the floor gets cold and the chill hangs around. Warm air coming out at floor level heats the part of the room you actually live in, and it does it quickly. If you're weighing up your options, our rundown of the types of heat pump shows where a floor console fits alongside the rest.
What a floor console unit gives you
The shape is closer to a traditional radiator than a wall unit, which is why some people prefer the look in an older room. Here's what stands out:
- Warm air at floor level, so cold feet and cold rooms sort out fast
- Low profile that fits under windows and around heritage trim
- Easy to reach for cleaning the filters yourself
- Some models draw air from top and bottom for a more even spread
- Quiet running, which matters in a bedroom or small lounge
When another setup makes more sense
A floor console heats one room. If you want a few rooms off one outdoor unit, look at multi split heat pumps, where several indoor heads run from a single compressor outside. That keeps the number of outdoor boxes down on a tight villa site.
For a renovation with a new ceiling or a hallway you don't want a unit poking into, ceiling cassette heat pumps sit flush in the ceiling and blow down. We'll tell you straight which one suits your room rather than pushing the console every time.
Getting a floor console fitted
A console needs the indoor unit low on an outside wall, with the pipework running through to the outdoor unit. In a villa with weatherboards and no wall cavity to speak of, the run and the mounting take a bit of thought. Our page on heat pump installation in Auckland walks through how we handle older homes.
Price depends on the unit size, the wall you're working with and how far the outdoor unit sits from the room. You'll find honest numbers on our heat pump installation cost breakdown so there are no surprises.
Brands we install as floor consoles
Not every model comes in a floor console version, but the main brands cover it. We fit Mitsubishi Electric heat pumps and Fujitsu heat pumps, both with console options that run well through an Auckland winter.
We'll match the unit to the room and your budget. If you're still deciding, give us a call on 09 234 2345 and we'll talk it through.
Not sure a floor console is right for your room?
Send us the room and we'll tell you honestly whether a console, a high-wall or something else does the job better.
Floor console heat pump questions
What is a floor console heat pump?
It's a heat pump where the indoor unit sits low on the wall, near the floor, instead of up high. It pushes warm air out at floor level, which is where you feel the cold most. The shape is a bit like an old radiator, so it sits neatly under windows.
Are floor console heat pumps good for older homes?
Yes. Single-glazed villas and bungalows around Ponsonby, Grey Lynn and Mount Albert often have full-height windows and heritage trim that leave no room for a high-wall unit. A console tucks in low and warms the cold, damp air that settles at floor level.
Where should a floor console heat pump be installed?
Low on an outside wall, usually under a window or in a spot where the pipework can reach the outdoor unit without a long run. Keep the front clear so the air can spread across the room. We'll pick the spot with you on site.
Are floor consoles more efficient than high-wall heat pumps?
It depends on the room. A console delivers warmth at floor level where you feel it, so a cold room feels comfortable sooner. Both types can be very efficient. The bigger factor is sizing the unit right for the space, which we sort when we quote.
Warm up that cold room
Tell us the room and your suburb and we'll come back with the right floor console and a price. Call 09 234 2345 or send through a quote.