Swimming Pool Heat pumps represent the most effective way of heating a pool, in terms of cost to run and effectiveness in actually heating the pool.

Heat pumps are expensive so choose wisely and it will give you years of service, heating your pool.

Use your Pool!

Heat pumps are expensive but they represent good value, in that they maximise the money that was invested into the swimming pool when it was built. If you have a pool that can only be used for 2 or 3 months a year, you might as well put fish in it.

Heat pumps are the most economical way of heating a swimming pool. This is because they are up to 700% efficient. Electric, gas or oil heating can never achieve better than 98% efficiency.

What to look for in a heater

1. Scroll compressor is preferable to piston.
2. Mechanical or Digital Control.
3. Full Flow or ByPass? There are no particular advantages to either system, but the full flow system makes plumbing the unit easier.
4. 3 phase or Single Phase or Inverter. Make sure that your electric supply is capable of running the pool heater that you choose
5. Titanium heat exchanger normally has a 15 year warranty on it. If this component fails, the heater is scrap. Only choose titanium.

How does a Swimming Pool Heat Pump work?

How do I size my pool?

Accurate measurements of your swimming pool are important in determining the minimum size of pool heater for your application. Pool Heaters are usually sized to a certain cubic volume of water. If you can afford it, always go one size bigger, the pool will warm up faster.

Measuring

1. work out the average depth to give you a "D" figure
2. work out the average width to give "W"
3. work out average length "L"

D x W x L gives you the cubic capacity of the pool.

LENGTH

If the pool is not a uniform shape, use the above method, but taking 3 measurements along the length of the pool.

DEPTH

The method for this is similar to described above. Take a measurement at the shallow end, another at the deep end. Add the 2 figures then divide by 2 to give the average depth figure.

European / American differences

When you purchase your heat pump, make sure it is suitable for your country and electrical requirements. Heat pumps sold in the USA are 60hz and 110 volts, or 60hz and 230volts. There are other electrical pitfalls such as 230v 3 phase models.

European units need to be 50hz and 230 volts or 380 volts 3 phase.

The gas used in some American swimming pool heaters is not legal for use in Europe, such as R22. This only applies to new units.