Winter in New Zealand brings cold nights, rising power bills and damp air. Whether you own your home or manage a rental property, choosing the right heating and insulation approach makes a real difference to comfort, health and running costs.
Energy-efficient heating means using a heater and home set-up that delivers enough warmth while using as little energy as practical. In New Zealand homes, this usually means combining an efficient heat source, good insulation, draught stopping and sensible ventilation.
For most New Zealand homes, the best energy-efficient winter heating set-up is a correctly sized heat pump, good ceiling and underfloor insulation, draught stopping, thermal curtains and daily ventilation to manage moisture. This guide explains each of these in plain terms.
Quick Answers
What is the most energy-efficient way to heat a home in New Zealand?
A heat pump is generally the most energy-efficient option. EECA confirms that heat pumps are the most energy-efficient choice for space heating and are usually the lowest-cost and lowest-emissions option for living areas used regularly.
How warm should my house be in winter?
The World Health Organisation recommends a minimum indoor temperature of 18 degrees Celsius as a safe threshold in cold seasons. Setting your thermostat between 18 and 20 degrees protects health, prevents dampness and keeps energy use reasonable.
Refer to WHO Housing and Health Guidelines for more information.
Which heaters cannot be used in rental properties?
Under the Healthy Homes heating standard, open fires and fireplaces cannot be used to meet the heating requirement, even if a property has one. Unflued gas heaters and other unflued combustion heaters are also excluded. Electric heaters other than heat pumps are limited. Tenancy Services confirms these rules apply to all rental properties that must comply with the Healthy Homes Standards.
Are heat pumps worth the upfront cost?
For most New Zealand homes, yes. Heat pumps cost more to buy and install than a basic electric heater, but they cost significantly less to run. Over time, lower running costs often offset some or all of the higher upfront purchase and installation cost, though payback periods vary depending on usage and the cost of the unit.
Can I make my home warmer without a large heating budget?
Yes. Good insulation, draught stopping, thick curtains and sensible use of your existing heating can all reduce how hard your heater has to work. These steps keep warmth in for longer without increasing running costs.
Is Your Insulation Up to Scratch?
Good insulation is the foundation of an energy-efficient home. Without it, even the best heater has to work harder and cost more to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Tenancy Services states that rental properties must meet minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping under the Healthy Homes Standards. Ceiling insulation thickness and closing unnecessary gaps and holes in the building envelope are both covered.
Check your ceiling and underfloor insulation. If it is thin, damaged or missing in areas, upgrading it will reduce heating costs and improve comfort through winter.
BRANZ research has consistently found that a significant proportion of New Zealand homes, particularly those built before modern insulation requirements were introduced, have insulation levels below current standards. Many Auckland homes built before 1978 fall into this category and can benefit substantially from insulation upgrades.
What Are the Most Energy-Efficient Heating Options?
Not all heaters are equal when it comes to running costs, health outcomes and environmental impact. Here is a comparison of the main options available in New Zealand homes.
|
Heater Type |
Efficiency |
Timer |
Best For |
Key Point |
|
Heat pump |
High |
Yes |
Living areas, open plan |
Low running cost, higher upfront price |
|
Wood pellet burner |
Medium-high |
Yes |
Living areas |
Clean burn, needs pellet supply |
|
Modern wood burner |
Medium |
No |
Living areas |
Slow to heat, no timer |
|
Electric heater |
Medium |
Some models |
Smaller rooms |
Cheap to buy, costs more to run |
|
Flued gas heater |
Medium |
Some models |
Living areas |
Vents fumes outside, not zero emissions |
Heat Pumps
A heat pump is the most energy-efficient option for most New Zealand homes. EECA confirms heat pumps deliver more warmth per unit of electricity than standard electric heaters, with lower running costs and lower emissions. Use the timer so your home is warm when you need it, not running when you do not.
Wood Pellet Burners
Wood pellet burners burn cleanly and offer more control than traditional wood burners, with one-touch lighting, a thermostat and a timer. Pellets are manufactured from compressed wood waste products and are generally considered a lower-emissions heating option than many fossil-fuel alternatives. You will need a reliable pellet supply through winter.
Modern Wood Burners and Electric Heaters
Modern wood burners use renewable wood energy but cannot be put on a timer and take time to heat a room. Check your local council rules on approved wood burners, particularly in cities with air quality requirements. Electric heaters are inexpensive to buy and practical for smaller rooms, but cost more to run than a heat pump. Choose a model with a thermostat and never leave a fan heater running unattended.
Which Heaters Should You Avoid?
Some heating options are unsafe, inefficient or not permitted in rental properties under the Healthy Homes Standards.
According to Tenancy Services, the following cannot be used to meet the Healthy Homes heating standard for rental properties:
- Open fires and fireplaces (these can exist in a property, but cannot be counted as the required heating source)
- Unflued gas heaters and other unflued combustion heaters
- Electric heaters other than heat pumps, in most situations. In general, a non-heat-pump electric heater can only be used where the required heating capacity for the main living room is 2.4kW or less, or where it qualifies as a top-up to existing heating under the rules.
These restrictions apply to rentals, but they are also a useful guide for any home. Unflued gas heaters release moisture and combustion fumes directly into the room, which creates both health and moisture risks.
For more information refer to Tenancy Services heating standards
What Happens if a Rental Property Has a Fireplace?
A rental property can have a fireplace. Having one does not create a compliance problem. The issue is whether the fireplace can count as the required heating source under the Healthy Homes Standards, and what happens to draught stopping if it is not being used.
Can a fireplace count toward the Healthy Homes heating standard?
No. Open fires and fireplaces are specifically excluded from the list of heating sources that can meet the Healthy Homes heating standard. This means a landlord must provide a compliant heating source, such as a heat pump or flued gas heater, regardless of whether a fireplace is present. The fireplace can remain in the property and tenants can use it, but it cannot satisfy the landlord’s obligation under the Standards. For more information refer to Tenancy Services Heating Standard.
What does this mean for draught stopping?
This is where fireplaces become a compliance issue that landlords sometimes overlook. The Healthy Homes draught stopping standard requires landlords to block unused openings that allow outside air into the home. A fireplace chimney is an opening. If the fireplace is not being used, the chimney is a source of cold air entering the property and warm air escaping.
Whether the fireplace needs to be sealed depends on whether the tenant agrees to use it. Here is how this works in practice:
- If the tenant agrees to use the fireplace, it can remain open and unsealed. The tenant takes on responsibility for managing it as a usable feature of the property.
- If the tenant does not agree to use the fireplace, landlords should consider whether the open chimney is allowing unreasonable draughts into the home. If it is, the landlord may need to block or seal the opening to comply with the Healthy Homes draught stopping standard. An unsealed, unused chimney is a common source of cold air entering the property and warm air escaping.
This agreement between the landlord and tenant should be documented. A simple written record of what was agreed, and when, protects both parties if a compliance question arises later.
What should landlords do if their property has a fireplace?
Crockers Property Management recommends landlords take a straightforward approach. Before or at the start of a tenancy, confirm with the tenant whether they intend to use the fireplace. Get the answer in writing. If the tenant does not want to use it, arrange for the chimney to be properly sealed before the property is assessed for Healthy Homes compliance. Do not leave an unsealed, unused fireplace and assume it will not be noticed.
Landlords should also confirm that the fireplace itself is in a safe, usable condition if the tenant does plan to use it. An old or damaged fireplace that is left open and in poor condition creates both a safety risk and a potential liability. If you are unsure what your obligations are, check the current requirements with Tenancy Services or speak with a property management professional.
How Warm Should My House Be?
The World Health Organisation identifies 18 degrees Celsius as a safe indoor temperature for general populations in cold seasons. This is the threshold below which cold-related health risks increase, particularly for older people, children and people with respiratory conditions.
EECA generally advises avoiding unnecessarily high thermostat settings, and many households find 18 to 21 degrees provides a good balance between comfort and energy use. Setting your thermostat well above 21 degrees increases power costs without a meaningful improvement in comfort for most households.
Practical Ways to Keep Heat In
The most effective way to reduce heating costs is to keep the heat you already generate inside the home. Curtains, draught stopping and daily ventilation all reduce heat loss and help manage moisture, so your heater does not have to work as hard.
Heating your home efficiently is not just about the heater you choose. Keeping warmth inside matters just as much.
Curtains and Draught Stopping
Heavy, floor-length curtains significantly reduce heat loss through cold glass. Close them at dusk and make sure they fully cover the window frame and reach the floor. Use draught excluders on external doors and secure window stays that allow trickle ventilation without letting cold air rush in.
Rugs, Bedding and Soft Furnishings
Hard floors lose heat quickly. A rug in living areas and bedrooms adds warmth underfoot. Switching to a winter-weight duvet reduces how long you need heating on overnight. A warm throw on the sofa means you can keep the thermostat a degree lower without losing comfort.
Ventilation
Ventilate during daylight hours to let moisture from cooking, bathing and breathing escape. Open windows slightly during the day or use a window stay for trickle ventilation. Consistent moisture management reduces condensation and mould risk without undoing your heating.
What Does This Mean for Landlords and Rental Property Owners?
Landlords in New Zealand must ensure rental properties meet the Healthy Homes Standards unless an exemption applies. These standards cover heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping. Tenancy Services updated its landlord guidance on 1 July 2025.
Beyond compliance, well-heated and well-insulated rental properties attract more reliable tenants, have fewer moisture-related maintenance issues and support longer tenancies. In Auckland, where a large portion of the rental stock is older housing, insulation and heating upgrades often make the most noticeable difference to tenant comfort and property condition through winter. According to the team at Crockers Property Management, landlords who prepare their properties thoroughly before winter tend to experience fewer complaints and more stable tenancies through the colder months.
Key Takeaways
- Heat pumps are the most energy-efficient heating option for most New Zealand homes, with low running costs and useful timer functionality.
- Set your indoor temperature between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius, as recommended by the WHO and EECA, to protect health and manage energy use.
- Open fires and fireplaces cannot meet the Healthy Homes heating standard, even if a property has one. Landlords must still provide a compliant heating source.
- Good insulation, thermal curtains, draught stopping and appropriate bedding all reduce how hard your heater has to work.
- Ventilate during the day even in winter to remove moisture and reduce condensation and mould risk.
- If a rental property has a fireplace and the tenant does not plan to use it, landlords should check whether the open chimney is causing unreasonable draughts and consider sealing it to meet the Healthy Homes draught stopping standard. Document tenant agreement either way.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your home warm in winter does not have to mean high power bills. Choosing an energy-efficient heater, getting your insulation right, stopping draughts and managing moisture with daily ventilation all work together to keep your home comfortable and your costs manageable.
For rental property owners, the Healthy Homes Standards set clear requirements for heating and insulation. Meeting them protects your tenants and your investment.
Get Help With Your Rental Property
If you want to understand what your rental property may need to meet the Healthy Homes Standards, or if you are looking for practical support managing your investment, speak with the Crockers Property Management team. We can help you understand what may be needed and keep your property well maintained year round.
Article written by Shanon Aitken, Crockers Property Management
This article was prepared by the Crockers Property Management team, drawing on their experience managing rental properties across Auckland. It is intended as general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlords should verify current legislative requirements with Tenancy Services or a qualified professional.
