During the summer season, people generally get exhausted due to the immense temperature. For this reason, they might think to jump into a pool for proper refreshment. However, this decision could backfire if the temperature of the pool shouldn’t be checked. But why? After all, the 50-degree temperature on the pool won’t definitely make your body refreshed! Rather, it will make you dry.
This is the reason your pool needs a heater. The heater’s temperature can be changed depending on the weather. A pool heater is fully compatible with both 2 types of pools (inground and above ground). A pool heater can help you to swim sooner and extended period of time. But, the price of a heater is quite high. In whatever way, it’s a worthy investment. We firmly believe that Hayward W3HP21004T HeatPro is the best heat pump. FibroPool FH120 Above Ground and Hayward W3HP50HA2 HeatPro is also a very good option. Here, we’ll discuss the best air source heat pump for the swimming pool.
What Things Should Be Considered Before Buying A Pool Heater
There are a few factors you must take into account before choosing a pool heater. Usually, pool heaters come in different formats. A traditional pool heater is the best option to choose. These types of heaters are powered by propane, electricity, or natural gas. However, in recent times, solar heater mat becomes very popular. Although they’re pretty cheap in comparison to the traditional ones, they won’t be too advantageous. They won’t give you so much control over water’s temperature like the traditional ones.
Moreover, you have to select a heater that has the right size. There are some models with a high BTU (British Thermal Unit) output. That BTU output can easily warm up a large pool so fast. On the other hand, there’s a way to find out the correct BTU output by measuring your pool’s surface zone. After calculating the zone, divide the number by three. Now, collect the number and multiply it by 1000. You’ll get the right BTU output.
Best Air Source Heat Pump For Swimming Pool
Now, let’s begin the discussion on the best air source heat pump for the swimming pool.
Hayward HeatPro W3HP21004T – Best Heat Pump For Coastal Environements
This is certainly the best heat pump pool heaters for inground pools. It has the capability to produce an output of 95,000 or 140,000 BTU per hour. Different sizes will deliver different types of output. This is a very high-performing and energy-saving heat pump. It generally uses nearby air to heat the pool. Moreover, this pool heater needs electricity to run while requiring a 230-volt connection. The Hayward W3HP21004T is a popular choice that can easily meet the demands of short to large swimming pools.
On the other hand, this pump is so durable due to its non-corrosive design. The whole thing is made with Ultra Gold corrosion-resistant technology and has stainless steel hardware. This tech makes it highly durable even in severe coastal conditions. This is why HeatPro W3HP21004T is widely famous for being one of the best heat pumps for coastal environments. Further, such type of tech protects this heat pump from Ultraviolet rays and rust. This pump contains an acoustic compressor cover. The compressor cover helps to keep the noise quiet. It can install on both new and existing swimming pools. This is undoubtedly a great choice for a swimming pool.
Key Features
- Non-corrosive design
- Ultra-Gold evaporator fin
- A polyethylene screen
- Stainless steel hardware
Recommendation
Some customers might be worried due to the thin plastic cover. But, they shouldn’t think too much about this. It is literally the best in the business.
FibroPool FH120 – Best Energy-Efficient Pool Heater
FibroPool FH120 heat pump contains output of 20,000 BTU. It is one of the best above-ground swimming pool heat pumps. The whole thing was made with an 8-foot-long power cable. Moreover, it is designed for above-ground pools up to 7,500 gallons. This is a very energy-efficient pool heat pump. This pump runs on electricity and it plugs into a 120-volt outlet.
Therefore, you don’t need to spend too much energy on its setup. It takes so little time. Maintenance is also an easy task and hassle-free. The FibroPool FH120 is powered by clean energy. This is the reason the chance of environmental pollution is very low. According to the experts, FH series pumps are the best energy-efficient pool heater. It can also guarantee a great pleasant swimming condition for people.
Key Features
- Built-in 8-foot-long power cable
- Sleek design
- Weather-proof case
- 120 Volt, 60Hz, 10A draw
Recommendation
This is such a great pool heater, especially for the small ones. It is also very energy efficient which is very much important at all. The lightweight design and environmental friendliness are other big reasons to choose it. The only deficiency is it is not compatible with large pools.
Hayward W3HP50HA2 – Best Heat Pump Pool Heaters For Inground Pools
The new HeatPro 50K is another great heat pump. This pump contributes great economical temperature for relatively small-sized pools. It runs with clean electricity and required very low energy. This fuel-saving heat pump effectively heat in or above ground pools up to 13,000 gallons. It is widely known as one of the best heat pump pool heaters for inground pools.
Pool owners have the luxury to use the built-in digital control panel. With this, they can easily change settings to balance up the swimming. Like any other Hayward product, it also offers easy installation. It maintains quiet, secure and backyard surroundings with Hayward quiet technology. Apart from the heating function, there’s a cooling mode in this pump. Pool owners can lower the warmth of the water by this cooling mode. Further, this pump heater is also AHRI (Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute) certified.
Key Features
- Highest level titanium heat exchanger
- Have both modes – cooling and heating
- Have a built-in digital control panel
- Polymer cabinet
Recommendation
In a word, it’s a superb product for the inground pools. It is also very reliable, energy-efficient, and quiet. Both heating functions make it extraordinary. Just like the previous one, it is also just compatible with small pools.
Puri Tech Quiet Heat – Most Quiet Heat Pump
The name is enough! This is certainly one of the quietest heat pumps around. It is perfect for pulls up to 28,000 gallons of water. The noise level of this product is only 55dB. SO, it’s easy to guess that pool owners don’t have to face any kinds of sound-related problems. It also has a Water Saving Optimizer feature that helps to pull up a huge amount of water.
Furthermore, the Saving Optimizer feature can save more than $2000 a year. It also expands the life of the pump and helps to swim in a more sophisticated manner. The easy-to-use control panel assists to program it in a short period. Pool owners don’t need to spend too much time and energy on it. Additionally, it also includes a friendly automation system and lockout security. For this reason, the overall safety of the product gets increases astonishingly.
Key Features
- Titanium heat exchanger
- Possess Water Saving Optimizer feature
- QZ Quiet Technology
- Automation friendly
- Have lockout security
Recommendation
If you hate noise, then this one is definitely for you. You don’t have to worry a bit about boring and disgusting noise if you set this product in the pool. But, the problem is it takes a long time to recover after use.
AquaCal Tropical T135 – Best Affordable Heat Pump
The most superior thing about this product is its budget. It is a very budget-friendly heat pump. However, some people could think otherwise when they see the low budget of the product. But, we can assure your money will be well-spent after you buy this heat pump.
It is one of the best above-ground swimming pool heat pumps. Moreover, it is also good for small in-ground pools. It makes use of the ThermoLink titanium heat exchanger with patented counter-float water management for superior performance. This product is AHRI certified.
Key Features
- Titanium heat exchanger
- LCD display
- WiFi controller and application
Recommendation
Although balancing the temperature is quite hard on this one, it is still very much recommended. This product is budget-friendly while also tech-friendly.
The Way A Heat Pump Work For A Pool
Pool heat pumps are very much efficient. They use electricity and don’t produce heat to warm the pool water. Rather, heat pumps contain a fan that can transfer heat from the outside air. The outer air is warmed by the sun into the water. The electricity of the heater attracts heat from the air. Then, it passes it to the water.
Humidity is the main conductor behind this scenario. If the number of humidity increases in the air, the heat pump can draw out more heat. The pool pump flows the pool water that pulled from the pool. Then, it passes through a filter and directly heats on the water heater. After that, the heating procedure starts and water from the pool are pumped through the heat exchanger.
Now, the cold liquid refrigerant goes through an expansion valve. This valve controls the flow of the refrigerant from high to low-pressure zone. The cold refrigerant becomes hot gas from cold after the release of the pressure. Then, the entering air interacts with the cooling liquid (refrigerant) interior of the evaporator coil.
When the refrigerant turns into gas, it became cold quickly. It moves around through the evaporator coils. For this reason, the cold refrigerant becomes warmer slowly and steadily.
FAQ
What size air source heat pump do I need for my swimming pool?
At first, you have to figure out the pool surface area to find out the required BTU output for your pool. After doing that, now it’s time to figure out the hottest desired temperature, the coldest average temp of the place you live. Here, we are providing you with a formula that can help you to solve the puzzle.
Pool Surface Area x Temperature Increase x 12 = BTUs needed
What is the most efficient way to heat a swimming pool?
Heating a swimming pool is definitely not an easy task. It requires lots of energy and high heating bills. By installing an energy-efficient pool heater, you can easily increase your swimming pool’s heating. You can also do it by decreasing pool heating costs.
Is it bad to run your pool pump 24 hours a day?
No. Actually, the pool pump can run all day long. Moreover, a pool pump can last more than a decade.
Does a pool pump use a lot of electricity?
Practically, yes. Running a pool pump needs a lot of electricity. But, there are still some pumps which are electricity efficient and they require much less amount of it.
Buying Guide for Best Pool Heat Pump
Apart from the basic specifications we talked about above, there are still some matters you need to take into account. Let’s check out on these things –
Size of the Pool
It is very much important to know the size of the pool. The pool’s size needs to match with the accurate BTU output. Now, we are providing a formula. You can use this equation to get an exact heat pump BTU requirement:
(Surface Area) x (Temperature Increase) x 12 = (Minimum BTU Needed)
Solar vs Gas
Gas pool heaters are so popular due to their cost-effectiveness. But, they need natural gas or propane to run. But, there’s a problem. Pool owners might need to refill or change the propane heater on a regular basis to run the pool.
On the other hand, the Solar heater doesn’t care about using fuel at all. Those heaters absorb the power of the sun to increase the temperature of the pool. The performance of these pool heater mainly determined by how much sunlight it receives in a daily basis. For this reason, most of the reasons with high temperatures use these types of heaters. But, they aren’t so good choice in the geographical areas with more cloudy days.
Efficiency (COP)
The COP of a heat pump evaluates between 3.0 to 7.0. It depicts an efficiency rate between 500% and 600%. If the COP of a pool heater is much higher, then you can bet that the energy-efficient level of the pool heater will also be high. This is the best thing to select a higher efficient COP.
In order to get the best highest efficiency and save energy expenses, it is necessary to fit the right side of the heat pump for your pool.
Noise Level
If the heater produces noise rapidly, it will create a huge problem for the pool owner. So, this is good to choose a heat pump that generally produces very low noise. After all, quiet environment is necessary to swim perfectly. Before purchasing a heat pump, check out some factors like – fan blades’ pitch, motor, compressor, etc.
Easy Installation
It is good to get a pump that takes a little time to function and the installation process isn’t so long. It saves energy and time. If the process takes a huge time, it could hamper swimming.
Pool Compatability
Most of the pool heaters are generally made for inground pools. However, some models are also intended for above-ground pools. It is necessary to purchase a pool heater that will be safe for the type of swimming pool you have. If you purchase the wrong heater, then you can count the days of your pool because it will get damaged for sure.
Final Words
From the above discussion, it is quite clear that finding a perfect heater is very much difficult. The initial cost could be high. But, it will pay off when the heater starts to work correctly. It will be a foolish decision to purchase a heater before doing any math. This is important to figure out everything about the pool and then buy a heater. Otherwise, it could be a waste of money, nothing else. If you have any other questions regarding this, you’re free to ask in the comment box.