Swimming pool heat pumps are an excellent way to keep your pool at a comfortable temperature for swimming even during the cooler nights of spring and fall. These heaters do not generate heat themselves but rather act as a heat exchanger, collecting heat energy from the environment. A fan draws air over an evaporator coil filled with refrigerant which absorbs heat and becomes a gas. A compressor increases the heat of the gas which passes through a condenser coil which transfers the warmth to the circulating pool water.
The heated water then reenters your pool and raises the temperature of the water in your pool. This allows you to use your pool almost year round, making your investment pay off that much better. The most important thing is choosing the right size heater for your pool.
Heaters for pools are rated based on their heat output in BTUs. The more BTUs your unit puts out, the faster the temperature of the water in your pool will rise. Due to the wide variety of sizes and shapes of pools and the different climates where pools are found, the BTU rating necessary to keep the water temperature comfortable will vary. A professional can determine the size of the unit you need by measuring the surface are of your pool, the desired temperature of the water (the difference between the average air temperature and the temperature of the water). You can also determine this figure yourself using tools available online. Once you know how many BTUs you need to heat your pool, you can begin comparing different models of swimming pool heat pumps.
When you begin looking at different swimming pool heat pumps, you will always want to pick a heater that is rated higher than the minimum figure determined earlier. The larger the heater you purchase, the more quickly it can heat your pool. This means that your heater will have to run less often, and will often last longer than a smaller model.
When you have chosen a swimming pool heat pump, it should be installed after the filter system is in place but before any chemicals (including chlorine) are used. This ensures that the heat pump will not be exposed to any overly strong chemicals. You will likely need a professional to install your heat pump - not only does this ensure that it is done properly, it can also help you avoid injury. Swimming pool heat pumps are an ideal way to make your swimming pool usable nearly year round, depending on where you live.
