Do I need a Pool Heat Pump?

This is a common question asked by swimming pool owners. They usually ask it after they get a ridiculously high gas bill after a long weekend of swimming. We here at Heat Pump Suppliers feel that a $50,000.00 pool that is too cold or hot to swim in is a waste of money.

This is a common question asked by swimming pool owners. They usually ask it after they get a ridiculously high gas bill after a long weekend of swimming. We here at Heat Pump Suppliers feel that a $50,000.00 pool that is too cold or hot to swim in is a waste of money. Especially if you consider all the care it needs. We think a pool that you can jump in for as much of the year as possible is an amazing investment as you can exercise and enjoy priceless family time. Swimming Pool Heat Pumps are a very cost effective way to heat up a swimming pool and to give you tropical water. They are cost effective and reliable because they move existing heat from the air to the water instead of consuming a fuel like natural gas, oil, electric element, or propane (LP).

They also are better for most home owners over solar because solar systems, even if they are “free” to run are not controllable during the off season or if there is bad weather. Issues like the wrong angle or direction of the roof, solar tiles on your roof that will require roof penetration, during the installation process, voiding your roof warranty and increasing your liability in storms. I have seen storms that devastated roofs with panels; ripping them and the roofing material under them, in Florida when non solar panel roofs were not damaged. If possible I like panels on the ground or a wall, but most people don't have that luxury. If you do have panels a heat pump with panels as a back up is the best of both worlds. Pool Heat Pumps are the most cost efficient heating method with the ability to accurately control the water temperature. If you have a spill over spa, you will need a heat pump, as solar is not practical for that application.

When comparing a heat pump to a gas heater you might notice that the gas heater might have a much higher BTU rating. Keep in mind that some of that heat goes up the exhaust. So if you buy a 300,000 BTU's gas heater, only 240,000 might actually make it to the pool. High efficient gas heaters will do better but will never reach 100% into the pool. With a heat pump, you might be putting 600 plus % of the heat into the pool. The reason you can go above 100% is that the heat pump is using a little electricity to move the free heat from the air, or in the case of geothermal heat pumps, from the ground or water. Even when the ground or the air is 50 degrees, there is plenty of heat energy available to transfer into the pool. Most brands of gas heaters are reliable, but very costly to run compared to a pool heat pump.

A pool heat pump will operate only when needed. It has a thermostat that will start the unit if the temperature in the pool has dropped. The running costs is only to run small components like the compressor or the fan. The “heat” is harvested for “free” from the ambient air temperature and moved into your pool water. You can save even more in your energy bill if you cover your pool with a blanket at night.

A lot has been said over the years about heat pumps not working well in desert climates and colder climates. Pool Heat Pumps have evolved a long way since their first days. We have tested heat pumps in Las Vegas 365 days of the year and even in snow storms there. These days engineers calculate into their design all kind of weather situations and we have shipped successfully swimming Pool Heat Pumps as far north as Alaska, Canada and Norway and Finland. You just need to choose the right pool heat pump for your application. Even if you are located in a Tropical area you might need a different size heat pump than your neighbor’s if your swimming preferences are different. Maybe you want to swim during winter time at higher temperatures? Maybe you have a spa attached to your pool and need to be able to raise the water temperature much faster to reach spa temperatures after a hard day at work? We were in Central America during December at a major resort hotel chain and we couldn't believe the pool was too cold for us to swim in. Just because there is palm trees, you still need a heat pump. We have palm trees in Seattle too.

We believe it is better to talk to one of us before making a purchase so we can make sure you will be happy with the results. We might ask questions about your application that you have not considered yet. There are so many different Pool Heat Pumps on the market with different features, efficiencies, warranties and heating capacities. We have seen them all over the years and we can help match them to the right application. We also have an unbiased opinion, and our ultimate goal is your 100% satisfaction.