If you have a pool in your apartment, you already know the importance of having the water at the right temperature.
While a refreshing dip in cool, almost icy water might be exactly what you need on a scorching hot day, nothing beats the warm, inviting embrace of a well-heated pool when the temperatures drop. This is where a pool heat pump comes in - it allows you to regulate the temperature of your pool to your liking, regardless of the weather outside.
However, before you rush out to buy a heat pump for yourself, there are a few important things you should know. Not all heat pumps are created equal, and each type has its own benefits and drawbacks. By understanding these differences, you can make an informed decision and choose the perfect swimming pool pump for your needs.
How Does a Swimming Pool Heat Pump Work?
Before getting into the types, you must know how it works. That is how you could differentiate between one pool heat pump type and the other. The heat pump generally is designed for a single purpose: to regulate the temperature in the water. But to do this, it needs to pull heat from the water into the surrounding air or draw heat into the water.
While this is a beautiful and straightforward concept, the pump requires four different components to make these two events possible. They are:
- The evaporator & liquid refrigerant: Though they work hand-in-hand, they are also independent of each other. The evaporator draws warm air into the pump, causing the refrigerant to boil and become gas (that is why it is called an evaporator).
- The compressor: The gaseous refrigerant from step 1 moves up into the compressor. The compressor applies pressure to the gas and then heats it up even further.
- The condenser: As the name implies, the pressurized gas refrigerant is then condensed in this stage and becomes liquid that would be passed into the water.
- The expansion valve: This is the component that starts the cycle all over again.
Types of Swimming Pool Heat Pumps
The three main types of swimming pool heat pumps differ based on where they source the heat from. The types include air source, ground source, and hybrid models.
1. Air source heat pumps (ASHP)
As the most commonly sold types, they are the ones that draw the warm air from the surrounding environment, as explained in the previous section. While the rest of the process follows exactly what was previously mentioned, the major characteristic is that the pump sources its warm air from the atmosphere.
2. Ground source heat pumps (GSHP)
As mentioned in the name, these types of pumps get warm air from inside the ground. This is a less common version and more expensive than the ASHP. The pump uses geothermal energy and a lot of pipes to make it work.
3. Hybrid heat pumps
Finally, the hybrid types use both mechanisms and are the most expensive. While some components within the pump can get air from the atmosphere, others work to get air from within the ground. Note that ground air is much warmer and best for colder seasons.
Choosing the Right Size
You also need to think about the size of the pump since it determines how powerful and efficient it is for you. While you might be tempted to choose the largest, it might not always be the best resort. Here is a list of criteria that can help you know what heat pump size works best for your swimming pool.
1. The size of the pool
If you have a large pool with a small pump, you might not get the effect you need. Vice versa would be a waste of resources and money for purchasing. Balance the size of your pool with the size of the pump for optimum performance.
2. Climate
Regardless of how large or small your pool is, the climate around it can also determine the power of your pump. A colder climate calls for a more powerful pump than a warmer environment.
3. Usage patterns
How often do you use your pump? Pumps used frequently need to be bigger with a higher heating capacity than those used less often. That is why public pools have a bigger heat pump than most private pools.
Benefits of Using a Swimming Pool Heat Pump
Are you still wondering if you should get one? Here are some benefits of swimming pool heat pumps that should convince you.
- It saves energy: The U.S. Department of Energy shows that heat pumps save up to 300% more energy than electrical heaters and heat generators. This is because the pump does not generate but transfers heat.
- It saves money: You don't have to spend money on electricity bills or too much maintenance. The pump cycles its process by itself, and it uses less energy.
- Consistent temperature: Heat pumps have the characteristic of maintaining the same temperature throughout your pool, regardless of where the pump is located.
- No emission: One of the things that put pool owners off is harmful emissions from heaters. Heat pumps are more environmentally friendly.
- They are more durable: Heat pumps are designed to withstand more harsh weather conditions and require less maintenance than heaters and heat generators.
- They don't just heat, they also cool the water.
Conclusion
Investing in a swimming pool heat pump is an energy-efficient and cost-effective way to keep your pool warm and comfortable. Consider factors such as pool size and climate when choosing the right size. BMWemple offers a variety of heat pumps to choose from, providing a range of options to suit your needs. Don't wait any longer to invest in this smart and practical choice for your pool. Visit BMWemple today to get started!
