If you’re looking for ways to extend your pool season beyond the warmer months of the year, then you’re going to need to figure out a way to keep the water heated in an efficient and affordable manner. One of the most popular ways to accomplish this is by implementing a heat pump. Heat pumps use electricity to capture warmth and move it from one place to another. As the pump circulates the water, it draws it from the pool, passes it through a filter and the heater and returns it back to the pool. Heat pumps are efficient as long as the outside temperature remains above 5-10 degrees Celsius.
However, in order for the pool to be optimally heated, you need to select the right heat pump. With proper maintenance, these devices will last you for quite a long time, and given the fact that they’re more efficient than other heating methods, you’ll be saving a lot of money in the long run, although the initial investment may seem a bit too expensive. The most important factors to consider when deciding between the different available models are size, efficiency and installation and maintenance.
The size is the most important factor to consider, and you should have your pool analysed by a professional pool professional. The heater is sized according to the difference of the average air temperature and the pool, as well as the surface area of the pool. Other factors that can impact the size of the heater are wind exposure, cool night temperatures and humidity levels. With that said, areas exposed to higher wind speeds at pool surface, cool nights and lower humidity levels will require a larger heater.
As far as efficiency goes, you want a heater with a higher coefficient of performance. However, there isn’t a standard test that measures the COP, therefore, you can’t compare that between models unless you know that the models you’re looking at have used the same test for all of their models. Generally, the COP of pump heaters ranges between 3.0 to 7.0, meaning that they’re 300%-700% efficient. In other words, every unit of electricity that the compressor uses is converted into 3 to 7 units of heat from the pump.
Lastly, proper installation and maintenance can optimise the efficiency of the pump. It’s best to have a professional do the installation, especially the electric hookup part. Similarly, it’s best to have a professional do the complicated repair and maintenance tasks.
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