How Heat Pumps in New Zealand are Replacing Gas & Support the Grid – Michael Richardson Part 1

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie welcomes Michael Richardson, better known as MC from New Zealand. Michael, who is Flexibility Services Manager at Transpower New Zealand, the national grid operator, shares an insider’s look into New Zealand’s energy landscape and the country's ongoing shift toward heat pump technology. Drawing from his dual expertise in energy management and HVAC, Michael discusses the growing adoption of heat pumps across various climates in New Zealand, their integration into grid flexibility strategies, and the implications of recent developments like the collapse of major solar provider Solar Zero. 

Michael Richardson explains how heat pumps are changing, how people in New Zealand heat their homes, and how the country uses energy. He shares what he’s learned from working with both the national grid and in the HVAC business. He talks about why more people are moving away from gas, the tech behind heat pumps like inverters and soft start features, and how these systems help even during power cuts.

Here, Michael talks about how HVAC is changing in New Zealand and how heat pumps are now being used in both hot and cold areas. He clears up the myth that heat pumps don’t work well in cold weather and shows how new inverter systems are actually doing great.

Expect to Learn:

• How New Zealand is leveraging heat pumps to support energy grid flexibility.

• Why inverter heat pumps and soft start solutions are essential during power outages.

• The challenges and opportunities in transitioning from gas to electric heating.

• Insights into how distributed energy resources are shaping the future of HVAC.

• Real-world impacts of solar company closures on national energy planning.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] – Introduction to Michael Richardson in Part 1

[01:40] – Michael’s dual background in HVAC and national grid operations

[02:38] – Growing adoption of heat pumps in New Zealand’s colder regions

[05:00] – Grid flexibility and how heat pumps can support demand response

[07:09] – The complexity of New Zealand’s energy market structure

[08:08] – Backup Heating in New Zealand: Regional Differences and the Shift from Gas to Heat Pumps

[11:01] – Power Outages, Generator Challenges, and the Rise and Fall of Solar Zero

[17:03] – Smart controllers like Ambi Climate and their role in modern HVAC

[18:18] – Future potential of remote control and smart integration in ductless systems

 

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:

Master: https://www.master.ca/

Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/

Supply House: https://www.supplyhouse.com/

Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ 

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