Understanding Pool Heat Pumps
There is nothing quite like a dip in a welcoming backyard pool on a nice sunny day - as long as the water is the right temperature. Even on the hottest day jumping headfirst into a swimming pool that is full of near ice cold water is certainly not fun! For that reason purchasing and using a good pool heat up is very important if you want to get the most out of your pool!
What are Pool Heat Pumps Anyway?
As the name implies, a pool heat pump is a pump used to heat the swimming pool and then maintain a nice steady temperature so that everyone can enjoy a nice dip in water that has a comfortable temperature - not too hot and not too cold.
The first thing you need to understand is that pool heat pumps are not heaters and do not produce any heat of their own (confusing perhaps but true) Instead they capture existing heat and move it from one area of the pool to another to help maintain even water temperature.
Here is a basic explanation of just how pool heat pumps function:
In any pool there is already a standard pool pump in place that is there to circulate the swimming pool's water. When a pool heat pump is installed the water being drawn from the pool is then passed through a special filter and into the heat pump.
The pool heat pump heater is equipped with a fan and this fan pulls in air from the environment around it and directs it over a single evaporator coil. Contained within that coil there is a special liquid refrigerant that absorbs the heat from the air which becomes a gas.
This warm gas in the coil is then passed through the pool heat pump’s compressor. There the heat is increased gradually as the air passes into the condensing chamber. The gas is then pumped back into the cool pool water that is flowing through the heat pump. The water is now warmed and the process continues for as long as the main swimming pool pump is running.
Choosing the Pool Heat Pump That is Right for Your Pool
A pool heat pump of this kind is initially more expensive than the more traditional gas powered pool heater but that initial extra outlay pays for
itself over time in the form of energy savings. They also usually require less maintenance and have a longer “life expectancy” factors that make them even more economical over the course of time.
There are a lot of different models out there and to get the most from a pool heat pumps there are several factors you should consider before purchasing one:
- Size: Sizing a pool pump heater takes more into consideration than just how big your pool is, although that is of course very important. The difference between the unheated water temperature and the average temperatures that will be around it is something that has to be accounted for, as well as things like wind exposure and average humidity. This can become quite a complex calculation, which is why most people prefer to seek the advice of a professional before they make any sizing decisions. For example a smaller pool in an area prone to lower temperatures at night and is located in a windy spot may need a bigger pool heat pump than a larger pool that is located in a hotter climate in a wind shielded spot.
- Energy Efficiency: Not all pool heat pumps are created the same and they all have a different energy efficiency rating. This rating is expressed as a COP (coefficient of performance) number and in many cases the higher the COP number a pool heat pump is assigned the more energy efficient it really is. That is not always the case though as the same pump will operate differently in different temperatures. Again, because the real COP of a certain pump is hard to determine getting a professional opinion will really help you make the right choice.
- Other Factors - There are other smaller factors that need to be taken into consideration when choosing a pool heat pump. For example, if you make a habit of using a full pool cover at night and when the pool is not in use usually your pool heat pump will have to do less “work” to get the pool to the right temperature so you may be able to purchase a unit with a lower COP than your neighbor who does not cover their pool when the temperatures drop.