Heat pump pool heaters are responsible for transferring outdoor heat into your pool’s water. So, which size is ideal for your pool? Let’s look at a few factors below.
What To Know About Pump Pool Heaters
Pool water circulates through the pool pump throughout the day, as it will pass through a filter and the pump heater. Within this heater, there is a fan that brings in outside air, directing it over the evaporator coil.
Liquid refrigerant from within the evaporator coil will then absorb the heat from outside. It then becomes a gas. From there, the warm gas passes through the compressor, turning it into a hot gas. The gas is next passed through the condenser.
The condenser is responsible for transferring the heat from the hot gas to cool pool water. This then circulates again through the heater. The heated water returns to the pool as the hot gas goes back to liquid form in the evaporator.
Pump pool heaters feature a higher efficiency due to the use of scroll compressors instead of reciprocal compressors found in many standard units. As long as outdoor temperatures range between 45°F-50°F, they are very efficient.
Pump Pool Heater Efficiency
Heater energy efficiency is measured by coefficient of performance (COP). Essentially, the higher the COP number, the higher the efficiency of the heater.
COPs range from 3.0-7.0, which converts to efficiency of 300%-700%. For every unit of electricity to power the compressor, you will get 3-7 units of heat from your pump.
What Size Heater Do I Need For My Pool?
Have a pool professional perform a sizing analysis to determine which size heater is right for your pool. Proper sizing includes surface area of the pool and typical outdoor temperatures.
Other factors include the specific heating load for the pool, measuring nighttime temperatures along with wind and humidity levels. Heat pumps are rated by horsepower and Btu output. Standard heater sizes are 3.5 hp/75,000 Btu, 5 hp/100,000 Btu, and 6 hp/125,000 Btu.
Use these calculations to figure out the best size heater for your pool:
- Determine your ideal pool temperature.
- Figure out the average temperature of the coldest month of your pool use.
- Subtract that number from your desired temperature.
- Determine the pool surface area in square feet.
- Pool area x temperature rise x 12 should be used to determine the Btu/hour output needed for the heater.
How To Choose The Best Pump Pool Heater
Pump pool heaters cost more than gas pool heaters. However, the initial investment will be well worth it over time as users save on annual operating costs. This is due to higher efficiency involved with pump pool heaters.
With proper care and maintenance, these units should last longer than gas heaters. Always consider size, efficiency, and cost when choosing between heating types.
How Much Do Pump Pool Heaters Cost?
Here is a quick breakdown of typical pump pool heater prices:
| Heater For 78° Pool Water | $927 |
| Heater For 80° Pool Water | $1,192 |
| Heater For 82° Pool Water | $1,485 |
*These are simply cost estimates. Contact the team at Sonoran Landscape Design for more information!
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