Buying Guide
HOW TO CHOOSE A HEAT PUMP?
23/06/2022
Guide to choosing a heat pump
The heat pump is the ideal element for our swimming pool to extend the bathing season and achieve a perfect temperature (which is usually between 27 and 29 ºC) when it is time to swim. There are also heat pumps to be able to use the pool all year round but you have to take into account different factors:
One of the ways to find out the kW that you need to heat the pool is to multiply the cubic metres (m3) of the pool by 0.3.
Although this calculation is not very detailed and precise, it gives you an idea of the kW that you will need.
As an example, we will take the measurements of a pool 6 metres long and 4 metres wide, with an average depth of 1.5 metres.
Therefore, for a pool of 36 m3
Other factors must be taken into account: climate, temperature at which you want the water to be heated, whether you have a bubble blanket to prevent heat from escaping, the location (the temperature is not the same in Alicante (Spain) as in the north of Germany...)
Due to all these factors,the real value of the kW required can increase considerably depending on the conditions
.
The COP (Coefficient of Performance) shows the ratio between the heat (or cold) supplied to the pool water and the energy consumed for this. Therefore, the higher the COP, the more energy efficient the heat pump will be.
Heat pump manufacturers usually indicate these measurements in two states, one with the temperatures in which the equipment will work best, and the other in the most difficult conditions and in which the performance is lower.
One of the aspects to take into account when choosing a heat pump is that it should have defrosting or defrosting capacity.
This function allows the heat pump to be put back in working order in a short time if it has frosted due to the temperatures, as this can lead to a loss of performance and may even stop working.
The inverter system regulates the frequency of the electrical cycle of this compressor so that it adapts and regulates its speed and power according to the temperature of the room, avoiding continuous starts and stops of the system.
This is an aspect to be taken into account because inverter or full inverter pumps pumps allow significant savings to be made on electricity bills.
Bear in mind that this is a very important decision. Depending on whether you decide to extend the season or use the pool all year round, the size of the pump must change.
One of the aspects to take into account when selecting the heat pump is whether or not the pool is covered. Logically, if it is covered, the heat in the pool will be easier to maintain and will not require a very large heat pump.
This is related to the average temperature of the area, both the highest and the lowest in normal conditions. Thus, a pool in a hot coastal area such as Andalusia, Spain, will not have the same heat pump as a pool in an inland village in Germany.
The bubble blanket is an almost obligatory item when you want to install a heat pump. This product helps to keep the heat in the pool and to prevent it from escaping. In this way, it helps the heat pump to increase the water temperature with less effort.
Try to answer the following questions before you look for a heat pump
Remember that you can always contact Piscinayspa for help.
- POWER
One of the ways to find out the kW that you need to heat the pool is to multiply the cubic metres (m3) of the pool by 0.3.
Although this calculation is not very detailed and precise, it gives you an idea of the kW that you will need.
As an example, we will take the measurements of a pool 6 metres long and 4 metres wide, with an average depth of 1.5 metres.
Therefore, for a pool of 36 m3
36 m3 x 0.3 = 10.8 kW
We will need a 10.8 kW pump.
We will need a 10.8 kW pump.
Other factors must be taken into account: climate, temperature at which you want the water to be heated, whether you have a bubble blanket to prevent heat from escaping, the location (the temperature is not the same in Alicante (Spain) as in the north of Germany...)
Due to all these factors,the real value of the kW required can increase considerably depending on the conditions
- COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMANCE
The COP (Coefficient of Performance) shows the ratio between the heat (or cold) supplied to the pool water and the energy consumed for this. Therefore, the higher the COP, the more energy efficient the heat pump will be.
Heat pump manufacturers usually indicate these measurements in two states, one with the temperatures in which the equipment will work best, and the other in the most difficult conditions and in which the performance is lower.
- DEFROST CAPACITY
One of the aspects to take into account when choosing a heat pump is that it should have defrosting or defrosting capacity.
This function allows the heat pump to be put back in working order in a short time if it has frosted due to the temperatures, as this can lead to a loss of performance and may even stop working.
- INVERTER OR FULL INVERTER SYSTEM
The inverter system regulates the frequency of the electrical cycle of this compressor so that it adapts and regulates its speed and power according to the temperature of the room, avoiding continuous starts and stops of the system.
This is an aspect to be taken into account because inverter or full inverter pumps pumps allow significant savings to be made on electricity bills.
- EXTENDING THE SEASON OR USING THE POOL ALL YEAR ROUND
Bear in mind that this is a very important decision. Depending on whether you decide to extend the season or use the pool all year round, the size of the pump must change.
- INDOOR/OUTDOOR POOL - ZONE TEMPERATURE
One of the aspects to take into account when selecting the heat pump is whether or not the pool is covered. Logically, if it is covered, the heat in the pool will be easier to maintain and will not require a very large heat pump.
This is related to the average temperature of the area, both the highest and the lowest in normal conditions. Thus, a pool in a hot coastal area such as Andalusia, Spain, will not have the same heat pump as a pool in an inland village in Germany.
- BUBBLE BLANKET
The bubble blanket is an almost obligatory item when you want to install a heat pump. This product helps to keep the heat in the pool and to prevent it from escaping. In this way, it helps the heat pump to increase the water temperature with less effort.
SUMMARY
Try to answer the following questions before you look for a heat pump
- How big is the pool?
- Is the pool indoors or outdoors?
- Where is it located? What is the average temperature in winter and summer?
- Does it have or will it have a bubble blanket?
- Do I want to save on my electricity bill? If the answer is "yes", you must choose an inverter or full inverter pump.
Remember that you can always contact Piscinayspa for help.