Heat pumps are now found in one in four homes in New Zealand, and they are installed in half of all new homes, according to data compiled by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).
The EECA is the organisation set up by the New Zealand Government to encourage, support and promote energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the use of renewable sources of energy.

The sales data also shows that two-thirds of heat pump buyers are opting for ones carrying the blue Energy Star mark, which is an independent, international mark of energy efficiency.

While Energy Star qualified heat pumps, efficient wood burners, wood pellet burners and flued gas heaters are all eligible for funding, nearly 80 per cent of grants recipients have opted for a heat pump. Although only 21 per cent of heat pump models on the market during 2009-10 were Energy Star qualified they made up 65 per cent of all sales.

An upgrade to the Energy Star heat pump criteria has been delayed until 1 May 2011 due to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami disaster, and subsequent impact on Japanese industry.