To view our residential heat pump models CLICK HERE
To view our Commercial heat pump models CLICK HERE
Pool Heating NZ are proud to be able to offer you a number of options when it comes to choosing how to heat your pool. It is our aim to provide you with the best solution for your pool and how you use it. Therefore, it is worth taking a look at the different ways you can heat your swimming pool and to learn about what each option can offer you and your family.
Heat pumps are growing in popularity due to their low environment impact and relatively high energy efficiency. Heat pump water heaters can work in places that aren’t good for solar water heaters – places that get less sun like the south side of hills.
How do they work?
They use the ambient air surrounding the unit to heat your pool. The air passes over an evaporator coil using heated refrigerant to heat water returning back into your pool. This process does not require natural gas and lowers the running costs drastically.
Just how efficient are they?
A heat pump’s energy efficiency is measured by coefficient of performance (COP). The higher the COP number, the more efficient. Unlike many other technical components there is no standard test for measuring the COP. Therefore, you really can’t compare the COPs of different models unless you know that the manufacturers used the same test for each model.
Manufacturers usually measure the COP by testing a heat pump pool heater with an outdoor temperature of 26ºC and pool temperature of 26ºC. COPs usually range from 3.0 to 7.0, which converts to an efficiency of 300%–700%. This means that for every unit of electricity it takes to runs the compressor, you get 3–7 units of heat out of the heat pump. Obviously, the higher the COP the lower your operating costs.
Sizing your heat pump
Choosing the right size of heat pump for your swimming pool is not an easy task. You should have a trained pool professional from Pool Heating NZ perform a proper sizing analysis for your specific swimming pool to determine pool heater size.
Sizing a heat pump pool heater involves many factors. Basically, a heater is sized according to the surface area of the pool and the difference between the pool and the average air temperatures. Many other factors need to be considered as they can also affect the heating load for outdoor pools, such as wind exposure, humidity levels, and cool night temperatures. This means that pools located in areas with higher average wind speeds at the pool surface, lower humidity, and cool nights will require a larger heater.
Further Benefits of Installing a Heat Pump
Heat Pumps are a great investment if you are concerned about the environmental impact of your purchases. Heat pumps use a renewable energy source and emit no air pollution. Not only are they environmentally friendly but they can also boast energy efficiency of COP (Coefficiency of Performance) between 5 and 6.
Heat pumps gather their heat from renewable energy sources – this can either be from the air or from water. Heat pumps therefore fall into two categories: Air-Source and Water-Source. Both types use electricity to transfer heat to your swimming pool. Air-source heat pumps transfer heat from the air, and water-source (geothermal) heat pumps transfer heat from water.
Heat pumps use electricity to capture heat and move it from one place to another. Heat pump pool heaters use a combination of solar energy and electricity to heat your swimming pool effectively and efficiently. The pump itself is powered by electricity and transfers heat from the surrounding atmosphere into your pool’s water. More specifically, the pump takes the heat from the sun-warmed air, upgrades it with a compressor and then transfers it into the water.
Heat pump pool heaters work efficiently as long as the outside temperature remains above the 7ºC–10ºC range. The colder the air outside is that they draw in, the more energy they need to use. During the Summer months the outside temperatures are normally at a level where the heat pump is not required to be used as the ambient temperature of the water is usually more than sufficient for a pleasant swim.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some heat pump water heating systems are multi-useful. This means that as well as heating your swimming pool, you can also have the benefit of ‘central heating’ within your home. They do this by pumping warm water from the hot water tank around a system of underfloor heating pipes. Some systems can be used to heat a hot tub, spa or swimming pool more cheaply than using an electric heater.
Many people are attracted to purchasing a heat pump to heat their swimming pool as they are relatively inexpensive to operate. Usually you will find that there is only an extra $50-$150 of operating costs added to your expenses budget.
If you do choose to invest in a heat pump for your swimming pool you can rest assured that your investment will provide you with warm comfortable water all year round for a span of 10-20 years (depending on the model installed).
Installation and Maintenance
Pool Heating NZ will advise you of the appropriate maintenance schedule for your particular heat pump. Pool heaters benefit from receiving a tune up service annually. Because of a heat pump pool heater’s many moving and electrical parts, it will probably require periodic service by an air conditioning technician.
Like all assets around your home, having a heat pump properly installed and then consistently maintaining it will optimize its efficiency. Whilst it can be tempting to try DIY when it comes to installation and maintenance, your best choice it to contact us here at 0800 POOLHEATING and get one of our qualified pool professionals install the heat pump for you and perform your maintenance and repair tasks.
