Heat Pump Hot Water Cylinders Face New Energy Rating Standards Under MEPS Review
EECA’s proposed minimum energy performance standards for heat pump hot water cylinders will likely eliminate up to 40% of current market models, forcing manufacturers to upgrade efficiency ratings or withdraw products entirely.
How to comply
It is a legal requirement for suppliers to register all heat pump hot water systems under the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002 before sale in New Zealand. Registration must include verified performance data meeting the proposed coefficient of performance thresholds.
Heat pump efficiency thresholds
Standards applicable
Heat pump hot water cylinders must comply with AS/NZS 4234 testing protocols for energy efficiency measurement. Standards can be purchased from Standards New Zealand to verify compliance with the new MEPS framework.
Which products are included
The revised standards cover all electric heat pump systems integrated with storage cylinders, including split and integrated units with capacities from 160 litres to 400 litres. Both indoor and outdoor hot water cylinders fall within scope.
Which products are excluded
Gas-boosted heat pump systems and commercial units above 400 litres capacity remain outside the MEPS framework. Retrofit heat pump units for existing cylinder installations are also excluded from the initial rollout.
Performance requirements
According to EECA, the proposed minimum coefficient of performance stands at 3.2 for air-source models and 4.0 for ground-source systems. These thresholds align with Energy Star certification levels used in Australia.
NZ Building Code requirements
Heat pump hot water installations must meet Building Code Clause G12 for water supplies and Clause H1 for energy efficiency. Compliance requires verification that systems achieve the specified performance ratings under standardised test conditions.
Registration process
Suppliers must submit technical documentation through the Product Registration Database, including test certificates, energy labels and installation specifications. Non-compliant products face immediate withdrawal from the voluntary registry.
Market impact projections
Industry analysis suggests the standards will eliminate budget models with coefficient of performance below 3.0, potentially reducing consumer choice but driving down long-term running costs. Previous similar MEPS implementations for appliances saw 30-50% of existing models discontinued within 18 months.
Implementation timeline
The consultation period closes June 2026, with final standards taking effect from January 2027. Existing inventory can be sold until June 2027, providing a six-month transition period for retailers and installers.