When deciding on the best way to ensure a comfortable swimming temperature, it's important to consider the varying costs of heating a pool. Heaters and heat pumps provide a higher BTU output than their less costly solar-powered alternatives. However, when comparing heat pumps vs. gas or electric heaters, heat pumps come out on top when it comes to saving you money on operating costs. Once you've decided that a heat pump is the right option for your swimming pool, it's time to figure out which model you should get. This guide is here to help you through the process! Below you'll find comparison details on six of our most popular heat pumps, built by some of the most trusted names in the industry.
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This is probably the most important factor you'll need to determine before buying a new heat pump. If you purchase one that's inadequate for your pool size, you may find yourself running it at full capacity all the time, and for a mediocre pool heating result. On the other hand, "bigger is better," but that also comes at a price. The higher the BTU output, generally the higher the upfront cost. To keep your heat pump purchase within budget, it'll take a bit of math to figure out what you need. We go into greater detail in our other article, An In-Depth Look at Pool Heat Pumps.
To keep it simple, most pools can follow these heat pump BTU guidelines based on water volume:
Before you commit to buying and installing a brand-new heat pump for your swimming pool, there are a few things you'll need to keep in mind. Besides the BTU heat output and the size of your pool, there are a few other points of comparison between different pool heat pump models.
The Coefficient of Performance, abbreviated as COP, is a measure of efficiency. It looks at the relationship or ratio between energy requirements and total heating or cooling output into the pool. The higher the number, the higher the efficiency of the heat pump. The lower the number, the more energy you'll use to control the temperature in the pool — which translates to higher operational costs per BTU.
Most heat pumps require a dedicated breaker for either 50 or 60 amps. However, some smaller models, such as the Raypak Crosswind, can use a lower amperage breaker. Almost all heat pumps require 240 volts. Make sure your pool's breaker box is equipped to accommodate the additional energy demands of a heat pump. We highly recommend consulting a qualified electrician when dealing with electrical components.
Make sure the minimum and maximum flow rates align with your other pool equipment. If your pump isn't moving water faster than the minimum flow, the heat pump won't even turn on. On the other hand, if the flow rate is too high, you may risk damaging the heat pump. If you have a pump that exceeds the maximum flow rate, some plumbing modifications can help reduce the rate of flow passing through the heat pump. Pool owners with a variable speed pump will need to take the time to program their pump accordingly for optimized performance, as lower speeds may not provide ample heating time for the pool.
The materials that make up the heat exchanger inside your heat pump are a major component in its longevity. Most modern pool heat pumps feature a titanium heat exchanger, which offers superior resistance to corrosion. In fact, some manufacturers offer a warranty on their titanium heat exchangers that exceeds the warranty for the unit itself. Cupronickel used to be a common choice, but has lost popularity with the emergence of longer-lasting, high-efficiency titanium heat exchangers that resist corrosion from water chemistry.
How long is your unit covered under warranty? What does the warranty cover, and are there varying periods of liability? Take a minute to read the fine print, so you know what is — and is not — covered. If warranty coverage is a big part of your decision, go with a heat pump that offers the longest and most complete coverage.
How big is the footprint of your chosen heat pump? Will it fit on your equipment pad, or will you need to rearrange some things? If you're replacing an existing heater or heat pump, will the new heat pump take up more or less room by comparison?
Most heat pumps are "heat only." However, some also allow you to cool your pool. This can come in handy in really warm climates, where summer temperatures can make your pool water feel more like a hot tub than a refreshing swimming pool. If you find yourself craving cooler water in the summertime, and you don't want to invest in a secondary pool chiller, a heat/cool heat pump may be just the ticket.
Now that we've got all that out of the way, it's time to look at some heat pumps! The six units featured below are among our most popular. However, there are quite a few more to choose from. Check out our heat pumps category to see what's currently in stock and ready to ship.
Swimming pool heat pumps offer warm pool water at a fraction of the cost of gas pool heaters, and unlike solar heaters, continue to heat the pool during cloudy, rainy periods.
Pool heat pumps work similar to a home heat pump. It acts like a reverse air conditioner, removing the ambient temperature in the air, with the use of an evaporator coil, liquid refrigerant and a compressor. The heat from the outside air is transferred to the pool water moving through the heat pump.
This blog will help you select the best pool heat pump for your pool size and usage patterns, and answer some questions about heat pumps along the way:
Pool heat pumps are typically matched to the number of gallons in your pool. If you don't know or aren't sure how many gallons you have, measure your pool, and use this pool volume calculator tool.
Some heat pump manufacturers don't list the gallons, but list their heaters in terms of the BTU output. Most models are in the range of 50K (50,000) BTU's - to 125K BTU's.
50K BTU heat pumps are meant for small pools, or aboveground pools, under 12,000 gallons. It will work on larger pools, but heating will be slow and total temperature rise may not be what you desire.
You'll need to consider pool size and the desired temperature change when selecting a heat pump for your swimming pool. Other factors, such as the average air temperature, humidity and wind speeds, will also influence a heat pump's ability to warm the pool water. Figuring on a temperature increase of 1-1.25 degrees per hour, you can use the following equation to get an approximate heat pump BTU requirement:
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(Surface Area) x (Temperature Increase) x 12 = (Minimum BTU Needed)
For example, we'll use a rectangular pool 14 ft. wide by 28 ft. long. During the coldest month of use, the pool owner wants to increase the water temperature by around 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
(14 x 28) x 20 x 12 = 94,000+ BTU
If you happen to know the volume of your pool in gallons, you can also follow this general guideline for heat pump BTUs:
Heat pumps max out around 135,000 to 150,000 BTU, so larger pools will take longer to heat. It's important to purchase a properly sized unit in order to maximize energy savings. Using a solar pool cover can also help reduce heat loss and boost efficiency.
The larger the BTU output, the faster the heating (still slow by gas pool heater standards) - and the greater temperature rise the pool heat pump can achieve. A nice sized heat pump can bring the pool up 30 degrees (or from 50 to 80 degrees).
Another factor that could affect the size of heat pump that you buy; if you have high winds and no pool cover, you will suffer from a great deal of heat loss off the top of the pool. If you do have wind blocks and/or an automatic pool cover, you could potentially buy a smaller heat pump.
With so many on the heat pump bandwagon, there are a lot of brands to choose from. Many of the names you may not recognize, like TropiCal and AquaCal. These companies are the originators of pool heat pumps, selling thousands throughout the 80's and 90's. As sales increased, big brands like Hayward and Pentair took notice, who are now making pool heat pumps as well.
To make it easier to choose from, we list 6 different pool heat pump models, from 4 manufacturers. Prices vary according to the features installed on these different models. Some of the most popular options out there that all models have is:
Some models will have more advanced diagnostic indicators (idiot lights), a super-quiet Scroll compressor, or a more compact design. Warranty is another point of differentiation between our 6 models of heat pumps. Finally, the high end pool heat pumps have the ability to also cool the pool, in the event that summer heat brings the pool water to unbearable temperatures!
There's not much difference in installation methods among our pool heat pumps. There are some size considerations, so if you have a smaller space, look to the product dimensions in the brochure or the owner's manual (linked from our heat pump pages).
All heat pumps will need to be installed on a level platform or slab. You cut the pipe after the filter and any chlorinator, then connect the pool plumbing in and out of the heat pump. Heat pumps require a 30-60 amp breaker, depending on their BTU output size.
Your heat pump installation may require bringing more power to the equipment pad, or if you're lucky, you have enough room left to add the required breaker size to the panel. To be safe, use a qualified electrician to perform the electrical hook-up on your new heat pump.
One of the oldest and largest manufacturers of heat pumps. Aqua Cal does not make any other products besides heat pumps for pools in both residential and commercial applications. Their heat exchanger is titanium. Aqua Cal has an easy to read digital display, dual thermostat and whisper quiet fan motor. The thermostat has a lockout option, which prevents anyone from adjusting the pool temperature.
The AquaPro heat pump has a titanium heat exchanger with a 5 yr. warranty on the heat exchanger. Most of the units have a digital display with a dual thermostat. The housing on the heat pump is very durable and is weather resistant. Aqua Pro is one of the leaders in pool heat pumps, and one of the first manufacturers in Florida.
The UltraTemp is Pentair's original heat pump with a titanium heat exchanger to help prevent and protect against chemical corrosion. The cabinet on the UltraTemp is weather resistant and will help ensure optimal performance during any climate. Available in three sizes, and comes in a heat/cool model to both heat and cool the pool, and comes with many advanced features and benefits.
Hayward purchased EUS in , and added the Heat Pro, which has a titanium heat exchanger to help prevent from chemical damage and also Hayward Quiet technology built into their heat pump. The compressor and fan blade helps reduce noise. Hayward Heat Pro has an Ultra Gold corrosion resistant evaporator coil which helps provide excellent durability even in coastal environments.
These heat pumps feature robust construction, and full featured design elements. Easy-to-use digital controller and simple water line hook ups make operation and installation a snap! ETL Listed and AHRI Certified. We also carry the Raypak Heat Cool Heat Pumps, to allow you to heat or cool the pool water, as needed.
An economical and environmentally-friendly way to heat your pool. Using titanium heat exchangers and TropiCal’s patented counter-flow water management system, this pump harnesses the power of its sealed ventilator motor. Microprocessor controlled auto defrost keeps the TropiCal running even when temps dip into the 40s.
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