If you’ve ever looked at your power bill and thought, “How is hot water still this expensive?” — you’re not alone. In many NZ homes, hot water is one of those quiet daily costs that adds up fast, because it runs behind the scenes: showers, dishes, laundry, handwashing… every day, all year. That’s exactly why more homeowners in 2026 are moving toward heat pump water heaters.

Heat pumps don’t “make” heat the same way a traditional electric cylinder does — instead, they pull warmth from the surrounding air and transfer it into the water, which is why they’re known for strong efficiency and long-term running cost benefits. That’s the core reason people ask the question: is it worth it?

At Midea Homes NZ, we’ve made it simple to step into heat pump hot water with two household-friendly options — a 170L model and a 280L model — so you can choose the size that fits your real routine (not an ideal scenario). 

The real “worth it” question isn’t the price — it’s the payback

When customers ask us whether a heat pump water heater is worth it, they usually mean:

  1. How much will it cost me upfront?
  2. How much will it save me each year?
  3. How long until it pays itself back?

Let’s talk about it the way most households actually make decisions.

Upfront cost: what you’re buying into

On our site, the Midea Heat Pump Water Heater 170L is listed at $2,199, and the 280L is listed at $2,999. 

Those numbers matter — but what matters more is what you’re comparing against. Most people aren’t choosing between “nothing” and a heat pump. They’re choosing between replacing with another standard cylinder or upgrading to heat pump hot water.

So the most useful number for payback is usually the difference in installed cost between those two choices.

Where the savings come from

Heat pump water heaters are often described as an “energy multiplier” because they can deliver far more heat than the electrical energy they consume. We reference this concept as 1kW of input producing over 4kW of heat output (around 400% efficiency). 

In everyday life, that typically shows up as:

  • less electricity needed to maintain hot water, and
  • lower running costs over time (especially if your household uses a decent amount of hot water).

The more hot water you use, the faster those savings can stack up.

The fastest way to estimate payback 

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

Payback time = (extra cost to upgrade) ÷ (your yearly savings)

So instead of trying to predict an exact dollar figure for every household, ask yourself two practical questions:

1) Are you a “high hot water use” home?

You probably are if:

  • 3+ people shower daily, or
  • you do lots of laundry, or
  • you run dishwasher cycles often, or
  • you notice hot water running out at peak times.

If yes, heat pump hot water tends to be more likely to feel worth it — because the savings have more “volume” to work with.

2) Will you run it in an efficient mode most of the time?

Both Midea models on our site include Economy / Hybrid / E-Heater modes. 

In real homes, the best results usually come when:

  • Economy handles day-to-day heating efficiently,
  • Hybrid supports busier periods, and
  • E-Heater is there when you need extra recovery (think: guests, back-to-back showers, winter spikes).

In other words: the “worth it” part isn’t only the unit — it’s how your household uses it.

170L vs 280L: which one feels “right” at home?

Most buyers don’t need a complicated sizing formula — they need a confident direction.

Choose 170L if your goal is a smart upgrade without oversizing

For smaller households and apartments, the 170L is often the “sweet spot” because it delivers efficient hot water storage without heating more water than you typically use. It also comes with a 5-year warranty covering the tank cylinder, compressor and labour (as stated on our product page). 

Choose 280L if you’re thinking “peak time comfort”

If your home has more people, heavier usage, or you simply want more stored hot water available during busy periods, 280L is the more comfortable fit. Our 280L model also meets NZ compliance expectations for installation (including references to AS/NZS standards and NZ Building Code G12), which is helpful for planning with an installer. 

What most people forget: timing and logistics

Hot water upgrades are rarely “just a purchase” — they’re a mini project. That’s why we surface practical delivery expectations on our product pages, including a typical 7–15 working days delivery/pickup expectation. 

If you’re coordinating a renovation, a tenant changeover, or replacing a failing system, that timing matters — and it’s worth planning early.

So… is it worth it in 2026?

If you’re replacing or upgrading hot water in NZ in 2026, a heat pump water heater is often worth considering when:

  • you want lower running costs over the long term,
  • you use enough hot water for the efficiency gains to matter,
  • and you choose a size that matches your peak demand (so you don’t rely on “boost” heating more than necessary).

Upgrade to a Midea Homes Heat Pump now

If you’re ready to compare sizes, explore our Midea Heat Pump Water Heater 170L and 280L options on Midea Homes NZ, and choose the one that matches your household routine. And if you’re unsure, contact our team — we can help you sanity-check sizing and availability before you order a heat pump.