by
February 12, 2020
It will be rare that the heating assessment will be below the 2.5kw level, as even 1 bedroom units tend to have assessments in the 3-4kw range. In our experience most smaller unit lounges end up with assessments of around 3.5kw and larger house lounges are between 6kw and 8kw. You really need a large space, in an old building, with lots of windows,to get over an 8kw assessment. But the (kind of) good news is that it often doesn't matter much what the actual heating capacity required is once the assessment is over 2.5kw. The cost of installing the HP is normally around $700-800, and the smallest HP's over 2.5kw are around $900, so even a 3.1kw HP will cost around $1,700 installed. But because the install cost is standard for all sizes you can get a much more powerful HP for not so much more overall. To date we have mainly had the Fujitsu ASTG14LUCB 5.4 installed for cost of $2,000 and which covers our landlords to 6.0kw. The larger Fujitsu ASTG18LVCC 6.0 costs $2,350 and has capacity cover for 8.1kw.
This brings up an important point about HP model labelling,in that the label is normally the point of maximum cost efficiency, not the maximum capacity the model can heat to. If you look at the graphic you can see the ASTG18LVCC 6.0 actually heats up to 8.1kw, and this is the important point for complying with the legal requirements. Some clients have pointed out that this is not the best option for the tenants as it may cost them more at higher usage, and that can be true. On the other hand, the calculator is not true measure of need either. For example, it assumes that there are no curtains on the windows and that there is massive heat loss through them, which is almost certainly not true.
So in practice, an HP installation will normally cost between $1,700 and$2,350. We suggest that the $2,000 level gives a lot of comfort for tenants (and probably less maintenance expense) without costing much more for landlords. You can also install wi-fi controlled models for only a little more, and this may be an added benefit for some properties by helping attract better tenants.
We have found that HP installation is the most expensive part of meeting the HHL requirements,but also the easiest. The HP technician assesses the best location for the HP trying to maximise the heating potential while keeping the outside unit in the quietest place. They will quote for the install and bring up any issues at no cost. Once approved by you and a small deposit paid, we book in the install. We suggest that after the HP is installed the rent should be raised by at least $10-15 pw, and think that the tenant will have no problems with this. A good install time is April-June so the tenant is enjoying the HP during winter when the rent increase kicks in.
There will be extra costs for wall mounting the outside unit (about $150) when there are no flat space options. Also, longer piping lengths between the inside and outside units cost about $50 per meter, but we have only seen this needed once. You normally won't have to repaint holes in walls as the installers are quite good at minimising damage.They usually get to the external power source by connecting from the outside inwards with no issues for the walls at all.
We have found that some installers are used to doing owner occupied properties and seem to have difficulty in dealing with installs which are about complying with legislation at the best cost. When they start having conversations with the tenants as though the tenants are the owners, problems can arise. We try to avoid these installers.
