Heat pumps have become the go-to solution for solving heating woes in New Zealand homes over the last few years. In July 2019 it becomes compulsory for all rental housing in New Zealand to have insulation and adequate clean heating, many landlords are looking to heat pumps to provide security that they are adhering to the new regulations and providing a warm environment for their tenants in the winter, and a cool one in summer.
Perfect Air are Pukekohe's heat pump specialists, and their name is indeed their aim. Originally formed in 1978 and Co-owned by Mike Richards and Graeme Melville since 2011, the team at Perfect Air know that perfect is a big ask, but it is something every team member strives for in all aspects of their service every day.
“If it heats, cools or brings in fresh air, we do it and strive to do it with perfection,” says Mike Richards, owner of Perfect Air in Pukekohe.
Long commonplace in many countries whose inhabitants take temperature control seriously, they've recently caught on in New Zealand in a big way largely due their affordability, decreasing running costs and quiet operation.
“We aren't bound to any particular product – in fact, we have access to 11 different brands. We recognise that every house is different, and every owner's requirements are different. Our focus is on offering people the best solution for their needs, and we consult fully with our clients to determine what's right for them.” Mike says.
Selecting a heat pump isn't a simple matter, but a scroll through Perfect Air's excellent website: www.perfectair.co.nz will tell you just about everything you need to know about the heating, cooling and air quality benefits of heat pumps. The efficiency of heat pumps is legendary, providing heat or cooling at the touch of a button for a fraction of the running costs of other electric heaters and coolers. And aesthetically, heat pump design has come a long way from the bulky, noisy boxes of old.
“We have high wall, low wall and the popular ducted options available, and they really are as quiet as claimed on TV.” says Mike.
The team at Perfect Air they'll walk you through the various options, whether off the plans for a new house or in-home for an existing home. They offer a full free quotation, considering all aspects of each unique situation, and there's quality after sales support.
Whilst heat pump & ventilation systems are a major focus for Perfect Air, they also have a strong background in commercial buildings.
“By law, some public buildings are required to have controlled temperature and air quality under their building warrant of fitness. We do a lot of work in the light commercial area, including shops and offices. Preschools are also required to have temperature and air quality-controlled environments to protect the health of vulnerable youngsters. We've done upgrades for most of the local schools around Franklin and some on the Coromandel too.
“We also do a lot of work with refrigeration, where expedient turnaround times & reliable design are essential as product is on the line. This past year was an excellent year for us in this sector with the business people of franklin increasing production and venturing into new products. We are proud that we were able to help the business community expand by supplying and installing 40 new cool stores this past year, some as large as 400m2 and hopefully many more to come”
“We've installed units for people with health issues too. A clean air supply is vital for those with respiratory problems, and a controlled atmosphere is important for cancer patients who can experience temperature extremes during treatment. We do a lot of work for epileptics, whose seizures can be triggered by high temperatures.”
Commercial heat pumps are required to have regular servicing to maintain air quality, and Mike says this really pays off by extending the longevity and efficiency of the units also. Domestic units would benefit from similar care, but despite the fact that they represent a sizeable investment, most people are not very good at looking after them.
Accordingly, Perfect Air has a dedicated service department which will call customers annually to offer a good clean-up of their heat pumps – and when owners see just what the service people find, they're definitely keen to book in every year.
“In some units we find chunks of mould the size of your thumb – not what you want in the air inlet to your house! We fully strip down each unit inside and out, cleaning all systems including the heat exchanger, fan assembly and filter.
“Regular servicing will add years to the life of your heat pump, keeping it working properly and helping to reduce power costs. Look after your unit and it will look after you.”
Servicing is proving popular among Perfect Air's customers with 1000’s of preventative maintenance’s carried out annually. The benefit of this is shown by the reduction in the numbers of repairs necessary as owners cotton on to the benefits of looking after their heat pumps. There's also an added bonus.
“The annual contact with our customers enables us to get valuable feedback from them, helping us to make continual improvements to our service.”
February is renowned for high humidity which can lead to high temperatures at night and that ultimately leads to Perfect Air receiving floods of enquiries from people stuck in stuffy bedrooms, desperate for a decent night's sleep.
“This is a very weather-reactive business,” says Mike. “When conditions get very hot or cold, suddenly everybody realises they need a heat pump. Once they do get one, they don't know how they managed without, and they appreciate the extra benefits of clean, filtered air and controlled temperature on demand. It's a touch of luxury being able to set the thermostat so that your home is just the right temperature when you get out of bed or come home from work.
“Deciding on a heat pump may seem like a complicated decision, but Perfect Air has the range of equipment and the expertise to find the best possible solution to suit any situation.”