Swimming pool heat pumps offer warm pool water at a fraction of the cost of gas pool heaters, and unlike solar heaters, continue to heat the pool during cloudy, rainy periods.
Pool heat pumps work similar to a home heat pump. It acts like a reverse air conditioner, removing the ambient temperature in the air, with the use of an evaporator coil, liquid refrigerant and a compressor. The heat from the outside air is transferred to the pool water moving through the heat pump.
This blog will help you select the best pool heat pump for your pool size and usage patterns, and answer some questions about heat pumps along the way:
Pool heat pumps are typically matched to the number of gallons in your pool. If you don't know or aren't sure how many gallons you have, measure your pool, and use this pool volume calculator tool.
Some heat pump manufacturers don't list the gallons, but list their heaters in terms of the BTU output. Most models are in the range of 50K (50,000) BTU's - to 125K BTU's.
50K BTU heat pumps are meant for small pools, or aboveground pools, under 12,000 gallons. It will work on larger pools, but heating will be slow and total temperature rise may not be what you desire.
You'll need to consider pool size and the desired temperature change when selecting a heat pump for your swimming pool. Other factors, such as the average air temperature, humidity and wind speeds, will also influence a heat pump's ability to warm the pool water. Figuring on a temperature increase of 1-1.25 degrees per hour, you can use the following equation to get an approximate heat pump BTU requirement:
(Surface Area) x (Temperature Increase) x 12 = (Minimum BTU Needed)
For example, we'll use a rectangular pool 14 ft. wide by 28 ft. long. During the coldest month of use, the pool owner wants to increase the water temperature by around 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
(14 x 28) x 20 x 12 = 94,000+ BTU
If you happen to know the volume of your pool in gallons, you can also follow this general guideline for heat pump BTUs:
Heat pumps max out around 135,000 to 150,000 BTU, so larger pools will take longer to heat. It's important to purchase a properly sized unit in order to maximize energy savings. Using a solar pool cover can also help reduce heat loss and boost efficiency.
The larger the BTU output, the faster the heating (still slow by gas pool heater standards) - and the greater temperature rise the pool heat pump can achieve. A nice sized heat pump can bring the pool up 30 degrees (or from 50 to 80 degrees).
Another factor that could affect the size of heat pump that you buy; if you have high winds and no pool cover, you will suffer from a great deal of heat loss off the top of the pool. If you do have wind blocks and/or an automatic pool cover, you could potentially buy a smaller heat pump.
With so many on the heat pump bandwagon, there are a lot of brands to choose from. Many of the names you may not recognize, like TropiCal and AquaCal. These companies are the originators of pool heat pumps, selling thousands throughout the 80's and 90's. As sales increased, big brands like Hayward and Pentair took notice, who are now making pool heat pumps as well.
To make it easier to choose from, we list 6 different pool heat pump models, from 4 manufacturers. Prices vary according to the features installed on these different models. Some of the most popular options out there that all models have is:
Some models will have more advanced diagnostic indicators (idiot lights), a super-quiet Scroll compressor, or a more compact design. Warranty is another point of differentiation between our 6 models of heat pumps. Finally, the high end pool heat pumps have the ability to also cool the pool, in the event that summer heat brings the pool water to unbearable temperatures!
There's not much difference in installation methods among our pool heat pumps. There are some size considerations, so if you have a smaller space, look to the product dimensions in the brochure or the owner's manual (linked from our heat pump pages).
All heat pumps will need to be installed on a level platform or slab. You cut the pipe after the filter and any chlorinator, then connect the pool plumbing in and out of the heat pump. Heat pumps require a 30-60 amp breaker, depending on their BTU output size.
Your heat pump installation may require bringing more power to the equipment pad, or if you're lucky, you have enough room left to add the required breaker size to the panel. To be safe, use a qualified electrician to perform the electrical hook-up on your new heat pump.
One of the oldest and largest manufacturers of heat pumps. Aqua Cal does not make any other products besides heat pumps for pools in both residential and commercial applications. Their heat exchanger is titanium. Aqua Cal has an easy to read digital display, dual thermostat and whisper quiet fan motor. The thermostat has a lockout option, which prevents anyone from adjusting the pool temperature.
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The AquaPro heat pump has a titanium heat exchanger with a 5 yr. warranty on the heat exchanger. Most of the units have a digital display with a dual thermostat. The housing on the heat pump is very durable and is weather resistant. Aqua Pro is one of the leaders in pool heat pumps, and one of the first manufacturers in Florida.
The UltraTemp is Pentair's original heat pump with a titanium heat exchanger to help prevent and protect against chemical corrosion. The cabinet on the UltraTemp is weather resistant and will help ensure optimal performance during any climate. Available in three sizes, and comes in a heat/cool model to both heat and cool the pool, and comes with many advanced features and benefits.
Hayward purchased EUS in , and added the Heat Pro, which has a titanium heat exchanger to help prevent from chemical damage and also Hayward Quiet technology built into their heat pump. The compressor and fan blade helps reduce noise. Hayward Heat Pro has an Ultra Gold corrosion resistant evaporator coil which helps provide excellent durability even in coastal environments.
These heat pumps feature robust construction, and full featured design elements. Easy-to-use digital controller and simple water line hook ups make operation and installation a snap! ETL Listed and AHRI Certified. We also carry the Raypak Heat Cool Heat Pumps, to allow you to heat or cool the pool water, as needed.
An economical and environmentally-friendly way to heat your pool. Using titanium heat exchangers and TropiCal’s patented counter-flow water management system, this pump harnesses the power of its sealed ventilator motor. Microprocessor controlled auto defrost keeps the TropiCal running even when temps dip into the 40s.
Inverter pool heat pumps utilize heat from the atmosphere to heat your swimming pool and maintain the ideal temperature over time. It extends your swimming season, lowers your annual operating costs, and reduces your carbon footprint. Having a reliable inverter pool heat pump is essential. However, there are many swimming pool heat pump suppliers, and how do you know what kind of pool heater you need? Thus, we have compiled this pool heat pump buying guide to help you make your purchase decision easier.
When choosing the best pool heat pump for your swimming pool, you should always consider the following five things: size, energy efficiency, noise level, operating temperature range, and user-friendliness.
Typically, the larger your pool, the bigger the heat pump you need. While smaller pools require smaller heat pumps, a larger heat pump running at half speed is more energy-efficient than a smaller one running in high gear. For more advice on sizing, please read Pool Heat Pump Sizing Guide: How to Choose Pool Heat Pump in The Right Size.
We generally use COP (coefficient of performance) to measure the energy efficiency of a pool heat pump, which is usually a calculation derived from controlled tests on the pool heater in different conditions and humidity levels. COP provides a reliable prediction of how much heat you will receive and the cost to produce it.
In the case of a pool heat pump, a COP of 6.0 indicates that it generates 6kW of heat for every 1kW of energy it consumes. In general, the higher the COP, the more energy-efficient the heat pump is and the lower your monthly energy bill will be. The inverter technology can intelligently adjust the heating capacity and increase the energy efficiency to a higher level. Therefore, we should choose an inverter heat pump pool with a higher COP as much as possible to achieve optimal efficiency and minimal energy cost.
Some heat pumps make a lot of noise. If you want a quiet swimming environment or need to place your heat pump close to your neighbors, pick a model that runs more quietly. The piping and airflow system, motor, and compressor are usually the three main factors that affect the noise level of a pool heat pump. But a pool heat pump with an inverter eliminates all of these concerns.
Inverter technology allows heat pumps to keep the pool at a constant temperature at a low speed, so it is less noisy. Thus, we can choose a silent inverter pool heat pump to quietly heat the pool and maintain a peaceful environment.
Not all heat pumps are capable of heating pool water at lower temperatures. The heat pump’s ability to generate heat will decrease as the air becomes colder. Therefore, to determine the most appropriate heating power for the most effective results, it is crucial to buy a pool heat pump depending on the local climate. Most heat pumps will shut down when the outside temperature drops below 13 degrees Celsius.
However, inverter pool heater pumps have a much broader operating temperature range. Some swimming pool heat pump manufacturers offer heat pumps that can continue to operate below zero degrees Celsius. Hence, when selecting a pool heat pump, you can refer to its operating temperature range for judgment.
Ideally, you should be able to easily adjust or set the target temperature of your pool with the push of a button. An inverter swimming pool heat pump with a user-friendly control panel will do the trick and more. Just install an app on your mobile device, such as a smartphone, and you can remotely start your pool heat pump, control the temperature and set the timer. When you get home, you can immediately dive into the pool instead of waiting in vain for the pool water to warm up, saving you a lot of time and hassle.
Inverter pool heat pumps are the best option for heating swimming pools and are the type of pool heat pump you should purchase. With the rapid development of inverter technology in recent years, more innovative pool inverter heat pumps are gaining acclaim in the market. The Mr. Perfect InverPad® Turbo pool heat pump from Aquark is one of the best.
The InverPad® Turbo is an innovative and unique patent owned by Aquark, a pool heat pump manufacturer in China. For the first time in the pool industry, it utilizes the most advanced silent technology in Turbofan, combining aerodynamic optimization and the best noise reduction technologies to achieve zero mechanical noise and reduce sound level to 38.4 dB(A), which is 20 times quieter than traditional on/off pool heat pumps.
Mr. Perfect offers exceptional heating efficiency with a COP of up to 16.0, a 69% increase in savings over conventional on/off pool heat pumps, thanks to its self-developed inverter control system.
Furthermore, Turbofan’s new airflow system increases the heat exchange area and maximizes the heat output to guarantee an excellent performance under cold weather. Mr. Perfect heats up as scheduled when the outdoor temperature is as low as -15 degrees Celsius, maintaining 50% of the heating output in harsh conditions.
With the self-developed smart app InverGo and built-in Wi-Fi, you can easily control your Mr. Perfect from your anytime. InverPad® Turbo technology makes it possible to heat your pool silently and efficiently, so you can enjoy swimming all year round.
Below is a table we have compiled to help you better understand how well this inverter heat pump for swimming pool performs.