If you like swimming in your pool anytime you want throughout the year, your pool heating system is an important factor that you should consider. There are many pool heating options available whether you are looking for something economical, energy-efficient or something highly effective. You can get a pool heater, a pool cover, a heat pump and other equipment that will help your pool water warm and comfortable for you to swim in despite cold weather.
In this article, we’ll talk about pool heat pumps, which is a great device for heating your pool. If you’re interested in buying a pool heat pump, here are some things that you should know:
What is a pool heat pump?
A pool heat pump is a pool-heating device similar to a pool heater. What makes a pool heat pump different from a gas pool heater is that it does not produce heat. It uses a small amount of electricity to remove ambient temperature in the air then converts it into heat energy which is then transferred onto your pool water. As a result, warmer water flows back into your swimming pool.
What are the advantages of using a pool heat pump?
If are on the fence about buying a pool heat pump, here are some of the reasons why you should invest in one:
- Economical
Since it does not need gas and only needs little electricity to operate, using a pool heat pump will help you save on your energy costs.
- Durable
A pool heat pump can last from 10-20 years depending on how well you take care of it. Although the initial cost of purchasing a heat pump may be high, you will be able to use it for a long time thus making it a worthwhile investment. Compared with traditional pool heaters, a pool heat pump does not break down as easily.
- Eco-friendly
A pool heat pump needs less energy to heat your pool compared to traditional gas pool heaters which burn fuel. This means that a pool heat pump releases fewer greenhouse gases which are not good for the environment.
- Energy-efficient
The term Coefficient of Performance (COP) indicates how energy efficient a pool heat pump is. This means that for every unit of energy consumed, the equivalent amount of heating is transferred to your pool.
Electric and gas pool heaters have an estimated COP below 1.0. On the other hand, a pool heat pump’s COP ranges from 3.0-7.0, which means that it can generate 3.0-7.0kW of heat for every 1.0kW of energy it consumes. If your pool heat pump has a high COP, this means it can convert more energy into heat which will allow you to save on your pool heating costs.
How to choose a pool heat pump
Pool heat pumps may be more expensive than traditional gas pool heaters, but they have lower operating costs and are more energy-efficient making them a smart investment for pool owners.
When choosing a pool heat pump, you need to consider your pool size and your desired temperature change. Keep in mind that you should also consider other factors such as the average air temperature, humidity and wind speeds. For example, if your swimming pool is located in an area with high winds and you do not have a pool cover, your pool will have a high amount of heat loss which means you’ll need your pool heat pump to work harder.
Aside from the size of your pool, you should also check the energy efficiency and cost of the pool heat pump that you are considering. If you think doing this on your own might seem complicated, contact a pool heating company that can advise you to pick the right pool heat pump that is in line with your requirements.
Tips for installing a pool heat pump
Here are some tips to keep in mind when installing your pool heat pump:
- Choose a suitable location
You should place your pool heat pump outdoors that has a good hair flow. Ideally, your pool heat pump should be near to your swimming pool to avoid heat loss.
- Place it on a level platform
Make sure that you place your pool heat pump on a flat base whether you install it above or below water level. You can use a small piece of timber, paving slabs laid on sand or a concrete base.
- Use existing plumbing
Check the size of your pipes and get connectors and elbows that will allow you to connect your pool heat pump to your existing plumbings. You should put your pool heat pump behind your pool filter and swimming pool pumps but before chlorinators and chemical pumps. Make sure that you have a good water flow rate to your pool heat pump as well to prevent the pool water from overheating.
- Make sure it has enough supply of electricity
A pool heat pump needs electricity to operate. Make sure that your electric supply can sufficiently power your pool heat pump. To be safe, reach out to a licensed electrician to take care of your electrical hook up and help install a dedicated line to your pool heat pump.
Conclusion
A pool heat pump is a great tool that can help you keep you warm and comfortable even during the cooler months. While a pool pump on its own has many benefits already, you should also consider combining it with other pool heating devices such as a pool heater, pool cover, etc.
When you have several pool heating options, you will not have to rely solely on your pool heat pump. If you can use a solar pool heater and solar pool cover during warm weather and use a pool heat pump when the weather becomes colder. This way, you will be able to reduce your electric bill.
In the end, a pool heat pump is a smart investment that will benefit pool owners in the long run.