Heating, ventilation and automation for New Zealand homes

Home / Solar air heating & ventilation

Solar air heating & ventilation

Free heat from the sun, warm filtered fresh air, and a drier home. From a single panel to Dream Air, our complete solar ducted system.

Brick home with solar panels on the roof under a clear blue sky
Solar air panel on a red tiled roof

Solar air heating & ventilation

A tempered glass solar air panel on your roof captures the sun's free energy and brings warm, filtered fresh air into your home. It helps cut moisture, condensation and mould.

  1. Sunlight passes through the tempered glass

    The collector sits on a sunny roof, ideally facing north.

  2. Air inside the collector heats up

    A dark absorber soaks up the heat and warms the air passing behind it.

  3. Warm air is drawn into your home

    Insulated ducting carries it inside to heat and dry your living spaces.

3-in-1 Solar Air: three ways to move warm, fresh air

Standalone ventilation that switches between the sun, the heat you already have, and fresh outside air.

Solar air intake

Uses free solar energy to warm your home during the day.

Heat transfer intake

Moves warm air from your wood burner or heat pump into the bedrooms.

Fresh air intake

Brings in fresh outside air when needed, great for summer and air quality.

Target every problem area of your home

Rooms on the south side? Rooms downstairs? Rooms that never get natural light? There's a solar air option for all of them.

  • Got a fireplace or wood burner?

    Add heat transfer and move that warmth into the rooms that need it.

  • Hot, muggy summer nights?

    Add summer cooling, using the same ducting and the same controller.

  • Bathroom or kitchen never clears?

    Bathroom and kitchen extraction pulls moisture and odours straight out.

  • Want to control it from anywhere?

    Every feature runs from the smart digital controller or the app, from anywhere in the world.

Heat transfer intake fitted near a wood burner
Solar air heating digital wall controller
Tempered glass solar air panel fitted to a green corrugated roof

Why homeowners choose solar air

  • Free solar heating

    Captures the sun's energy to warm your home naturally.

  • Warmer, drier home

    Helps reduce moisture, condensation and mould for healthier living.

  • Energy efficient

    Reduces the need for electricity and lowers heating costs.

  • Built to last

    Strong tempered glass, corrosion resistant, and built for NZ conditions.

Panels that suit your roof

North is best, but it's not the only option. We plan the layout around your roof and where the sun actually falls.

  • North
  • North-west
  • East
  • West
  • East and west split
  • Horizontal layouts

Already have ventilation? At one High Street home we added two new tempered glass panels to the north side of the roof and upgraded the insulated ducting on the existing HRV system.

Two solar air panels on a tiled roof
Two dark solar air panels on a green roof with town views

Watch your home warm up, live

The app shows real time temperature readings from every zone, so you can see the solar air heating working.

Check in from the couch or from work. Live readings make it easy to see how much free heat the sun is adding to your home right now.

Phone screen showing live solar air heating temperature readings
Phone screen showing live solar air heating temperature readings for another zone
Solar air ducted heating

Dream Air: four technologies, one smart system

The ultimate combination of solar air heating, a ducted heat pump and smart zone control. The solar panel supplements your ducted system with naturally heated air, and the heat pump gives you heating and cooling all year round.

  • Solar air heatingHigh-performance tempered glass panels, fresh filtered warm air, quiet operation
  • Ducted heating and coolingGree or Mitsubishi Electric, inverter technology, whole-home comfort
  • Smart zone controlMotorised dampers and room sensors, with the zone count set by your chosen controller
  • Wireless sensorsTemperature and humidity monitoring with live room readings
Tempered glass solar air panel on a coloursteel roof
Solar air panel
Air handling unit installed in a roof space
Air handling unit
Ducting layout in a roof space
Zoned ducting

Heat only the rooms you need

Each zone opens or closes automatically based on temperature, so warm air goes where it's wanted.

  • Living room
  • Dining room
  • Bedrooms
  • Hallway

The result: better comfort, lower running costs, less heat pump use and healthier indoor air.

  • Air purification

    G4, carbon and H13 HEPA filtration.

  • Active dehumidification

    Removes up to 65 litres of moisture a day.

  • UV-C germicidal light

    For cleaner, healthier air.

  • CO2 control (optional)

    Brings in fresh air when the air gets stale.

Four solutions, one smart system

Not every home needs the full system. Here's how the options compare.

Dream Air

Whole-home ducted heating and ventilation, with solar air, a ducted heat pump and smart zones.

Night Flow

A ducted heat pump for the bedrooms and hallway.

Dual Core

Night Flow plus a separate heat pump for the lounge and dining area.

3-in-1 Solar Air

Standalone ventilation that switches between solar air, heat transfer and fresh air.

Control options for your chosen system:Wall controllerCompatible touchscreenMobile app on iPhone and Android

Questions about solar air heating

Does solar air heating work in winter?

Yes. Clear winter days are some of the best for it. On cloudy days it makes less warm air, which is where heat transfer from your wood burner or heat pump takes over.

Which way do the panels need to face?

North is best, but we also install on north-west, east and west roofs, split east and west, or in horizontal layouts. We'll recommend the right layout during your assessment.

Can you add it to my existing heat pump or ventilation?

Often, yes. We regularly add solar air panels to existing systems and upgrade the ducting at the same time.

What's the difference between 3-in-1 Solar Air and Dream Air?

3-in-1 Solar Air is standalone ventilation. Dream Air adds a ducted heat pump, zone control and sensors for whole-home heating and cooling.

Explore solar air systems

Compare systems and packages, see real installations and download the guides for your home.

Explore the full gallery

Choose a category and select any image for a closer look.

Digital controllers

12 images

Smart app readings

4 images

Fresh air intakes

5 images

Heat transfer intakes

12 images

Outlets inside the home

12 images

Inside the roof

27 images

Solar panels on the roof

110 images

Choose the solar air system that fits your home

1-in-1: start with solar air

Add one or two solar air panels to a suitable ventilation system, or upgrade the ducting, fan and controller together. Panel count and system functions are separate choices.

2-in-1: combine the functions you need

Discuss a two-function configuration from the solar air range. We confirm the intake arrangement and included functions in your design, including whether heat transfer or fresh air is the right addition.

3-in-1: solar, heat transfer and fresh air

Combine daytime solar warmth, heat transfer from a warm living space, and an outside-air intake. The controller selects the available mode according to the setup and conditions.

Solar heat recovery and Elite Series

Solar heat recovery can return indoor air through the solar collectors for reheating. Mechanical heat recovery ventilation uses a heat exchanger between outgoing and incoming air. Our Elite Series brochures explain the available combinations.

Bathroom and kitchen extraction

Remove moist or stale air at its source. We plan extraction and replacement air together with your ventilation, with the kitchen extraction arrangement selected for its use.

Heat transfer and summer cooling kits

A heat transfer intake shares spare warmth from a room with a wood burner or heat pump. A summer fresh-air intake can bring in cooler outside air when conditions suit; it does not provide refrigerated cooling.

Your roof orientation, available space, existing equipment and the rooms that need attention determine the final configuration. Compare panel and fan layouts in the brochures tab, or start with the home questionnaire.

Comfort through the full 24 hours

Solar warmth, heat pumps, ventilation and smart control. A plan for every part of your day, in every season.

6am to 9am

Warm the rooms you wake up in

Schedule your heat pump to take the chill off the bedrooms, bathroom and living area. Your installer sets the priorities around your morning routine.

When solar warmth is available

Let the sun contribute

The solar air collectors provide warmth when conditions allow. Filtered ventilation helps manage moisture while your home is empty. Your heat pump remains available when more heating is needed.

Before you get home

Prepare the house for the evening

Continue circulating air and set the living areas ready for your return. On warmer days, fresh air or heat-pump cooling can take priority according to your installed system.

5pm to 10pm

Put comfort where the family is

Use the living-area heat pump or Dream Air ducted system. If you have a wood burner, a heat transfer kit can share spare warmth with cooler rooms.

10pm to 6am

Settle into comfortable bedrooms

Night Flow serves bedrooms and the hallway, while a zoned Dream Air system can follow individual room schedules. Optional room sensors help the controller adjust airflow as conditions change.

Your design can combine a high wall unit with Night Flow, a multi split system, or Dream Air with optional zoning. Solar output depends on sunlight; equipment, sensors and controls are selected for your home.

Plan my whole-home system

24-hour comfort cycle illustrations

Choose a category and select any image for a closer look.

24-hour comfort cycle concepts

5 images

These concept illustrations show possible combinations, rather than completed installations. Your quote sets out the actual equipment and features included.

Solar air combo packages

Full home 3-in-1 solar heat recovery ventilation, paired with the heat pump solution that suits your house.

3-in-1 Solar Air + Split System

Solar air heating and ventilation across the home, with a high wall or floor console heat pump for the living area.

  • 3-in-1 solar air heating and ventilation
  • Single-room heat pump
  • System controls selected for your home

3-in-1 Solar Air + Multi Split

Full home solar air heating and ventilation, with several indoor heat pump units sharing one outdoor unit.

  • 3-in-1 solar heat recovery ventilation system
  • Insulated ducting and a powerful 3 speed fan
  • Smart digital wi-fi control
  • Indoor units for the selected bedrooms, hallway or living areas
  • One outdoor unit sized for the combined demand

3-in-1 Solar Air + Night Flow

Full home 3-in-1 solar heat recovery ventilation, plus a small ducted system for the bedrooms and hallway.

  • 3-in-1 solar heat recovery ventilation system
  • Insulated ducting and a powerful 3 speed fan
  • Smart digital wi-fi control
  • Night Flow ducted heat pump, bedrooms & hallway

3-in-1 Solar Air + Dream Air

Full home 3-in-1 solar heat recovery ventilation, plus a full home ducted system for every room.

  • 3-in-1 solar heat recovery ventilation system
  • Insulated ducting and a powerful 3 speed fan
  • Smart digital wi-fi control
  • Dream Air full home ducted heat pump

Solar Air + Sun Tube Lighting

Address cold rooms and dark spaces in the same home improvement plan.

  • Solar air system selected for your home
  • Sun tubes in suitable dark rooms
  • Roof and ceiling layout assessed together

Already have ventilation? Upgrade options

We can connect a new solar air panel to your existing ventilation system, or upgrade the ducting, fan and controller at the same time. Over 200 solar air heating systems installed and counting.

New panel upgrade only

Add a new tempered glass solar air panel to your existing ventilation system. 1 or 2 panels.

  • 1 or 2 new solar air panels
  • Connects to your current ducting and fan

New panel + insulated ducting

A new panel plus new insulated ducting, in a normal or SHRV (solar heat recovery) configuration.

  • 1 or 2 new solar air panels
  • New insulated ducting
  • Normal or SHRV solar heat recovery configuration

New panel + ducting + fan + controller

The complete upgrade: new panel, insulated ducting, a new fan and a new smart controller.

  • 1 or 2 new solar air panels
  • New insulated ducting
  • New powerful fan
  • New smart digital wi-fi controller

View and download solar system guides, panel configurations, package flyers and blank assessment forms.

Combos and upgrades

Ducted and heat recovery

Solar air systems

Assessment forms

Finance your home upgrade

50 months interest free*

Spread the cost of your solar air heating, ducted heating or home automation system with Q Card.

Apply for a Q Mastercard

Available with Q Mastercard & Q Card

Ask us to confirm the offer for your quote. Approval and lending criteria apply.

*New customers need to apply and be approved for a Q Mastercard credit card. Lending criteria, $50 annual Account Fee, fees, Ts&Cs apply. Minimum spend may apply. $55 Establishment Fee applies to your first Long Term Finance (LTF) transaction, $35 Advance Fee applies to subsequent LTF transactions. Standard Interest Rate of 28.95% p.a. applies to outstanding balance at the end of the LTF interest free period. Other interest rates and fees may apply. Credit is provided by Columbus Financial Services Limited (Q Mastercard) and Consumer Finance Limited (Q Card).

Current lender rates, fees and terms

Ready for free heat from the sun?

Tell us about your roof and your home. We'll reply within 24 working hours.

Get a free quote
Get a free quote