Pool Heat Pumps 101: Enjoy Your Outdoor Pool and Spa Year-Round

Most backyard pools are only used for three or four months a year. They are either closed, disregarded, or used as a habitat by aquatic birds for the remainder of the time! But wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could keep your pool open further into the fall or open earlier in the spring? Possibly even winter?

You don’t necessarily need to store your pool equipment just because the weather decreases as long as you get a pool heat pump. It’s an energy-efficient solution with which you can easily extend your swimming season well past the summer without even breaking the bank. And, if you’re seriously considering buying one then you have come to the right place as the following guide narrows down everything you need to know about heat pumps, including how they operate, why they’re so common, and how to pick the best one for your swimming pool.

What Is a Pool Heat Pump and How Does It Work?

So, if you want to keep your pool or spa water warm all year round, shop for energy-efficient, durable and easy-to-use pool heat pumps Sydney-wide. These don’t really produce heat, in contrast to a gas or electric pool heaters. Instead, they use heat from the outside air to warm the water in your pool.

But how does a heating pump work? Warm air is drawn into the heat pump’s evaporator coil when it is turned on by a fan. The liquid refrigerant within becomes a gas as a result of the air heating it. The gas is then compressed, which increases its temperature. When it reaches a specific temperature, it enters the heat exchanger, which is a tube inside a tube, where it heats the water in your pool. After that, the water flows back into your pool, the gas transforms back into liquid form, and the cycle repeats.

In general, heat pumps rely on warm surrounding temperatures, therefore they perform better in humid areas. The air temperature should be 10 degrees Celsius or greater for best results. However, some appliances, such as the inverter heat pump may function at as low as 7 degrees Celsius.

The Benefits of Using a Pool Heat Pump

Besides creating an inviting pool area all round, owning a heating pump comes with many other benefits. These are the most significant ones.

Energy Efficiency

Pool heat pumps’ high energy efficiency is one of their best features. They still need electricity to operate, but since they don’t need it to produce heat, they use a lot less energy to heat your pool than gas heaters do. A heat pump’s Coefficient of Performance (COP) rating is typically used to calculate its efficiency. Generally speaking, the efficiency improves with a higher rating.

A heat pump with a COP of 8 will therefore transfer 800 units of energy to the pool, which is a respectable amount. An inverter pump will increase your efficiency even more. For instance, inverter pumps have a COP of 10, which makes them 10–35% more energy-efficient than the ones without inverters. And, if you want something even more effective, there are also pumps with a COP of up to 13.

Durability

Typically, a pool heat pump lasts longer than other types of heating. A solar pool heater has a lifespan of 15 years compared to a gas heater’s 5 to 10 years. In contrast, a pool heat pump has a lifespan of 10 to 20 years. This is because it requires less effort to operate. After all, it only transfers heat, not actively produce it.

However, gas heaters actively generate heat and degrade more quickly. For solar panels, annual maintenance or replacement may be necessary due to rust, denting, or cockatoo damage as they love to chew on solar strips and manifolds!

Easy Maintenance

Pool Heat pumps are extremely simple to maintain when compared to other types of heating systems. You shut them off, clear any blockages, look for leaks, and adjust the thermostat when something goes wrong. On the other hand, solar panels are less widely available and can be more difficult to repair on your own due to technology. A plumber may also be needed to inspect a gas pool heater for damage, low or excessive pressure, or gas leaks.

Important Factors to Keep in Mind When Buying

When looking for the best pool heat pumps Sydney-wide, there are a few things to take into account. These include the size of your pool, its location, the environment where it is, how often you use it, and your ideal water temperature. Once you are aware of these details, you can use our heat pump calculator online to determine the ideal heat pump size for your swimming pool. You can also ask your local pool store for suggestions.

Next, look at the COP rating once you’ve narrowed down your options. A higher rating translates into shorter heating periods, less energy use, and cheaper operation. Standard heat pumps typically have COPs between 3 and 7, whereas inverter heat pumps can have COPs of 10 or more. Other aspects of heat pumps to think about include noise levels (inverter models are typically quieter), heating times (some can reach a temperature in as little as 12 hours, while others can take up to 72 hours), frost protection, warranty, and cost.

Keep in mind, though that running a large heat pump at half capacity rather than a small one at full capacity will save you electricity!

How to Look After Your Pool Heat Pump

A pool heat pump is simple to keep up with once it is operating. Simply inspect it frequently for blockages, leaks, and faulty connections, and clear the air inlet of any debris. Run your pump for at least 8 to 10 hours each day, and maintain your filter, skimmers, and pool pump basket clear of debris to prevent circulation problems that could prevent your heater from working.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that if your pool water isn’t balanced so heat pumps could corrode. Weekly water chemistry checks and appropriate adjustments can help to avoid this. Get a yearly service to clean the inside of the unit, check for leaks, test the compressor, test the water flow, and check electrical components and switches.