An ice bath is only as good as its ability to stay cold, and a reliable water chiller is key to maintaining optimal temperatures and clean water. Choosing the right water chiller for your setup can be overwhelming, with many options on the market.
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8 Step Guide to Choosing the Best Water Chiller for Your Ice Bath
An ice bath is only as good as its ability to stay cold, and a reliable water chiller is key to maintaining optimal temperatures and clean water. Choosing the right water chiller for your setup can be overwhelming, with many options on the market.
Which Pool Heat Pump Should You Buy?
One of the most effective ways to heat your backyard pool is with a pool heat pump. Pool heat pumps are durable, energy-efficient, and easy to maintain.
What Is a Heat Pump And How Does A Heat Pump Work?
A heat pump is part of a home heating and cooling system, usually installed outside the home. Similar to a central air conditioner, it can cool your home, but it can also provide heat.
One of the most effective ways to heat your backyard pool is with a pool heat pump. Pool heat pumps are durable, energy-efficient, and easy to maintain.
With so many options available, how do you choose the right one for your pool? In this guide, we’ll cover what to look for in a pool heat pump, including size, temperature range, and energy rating. We’ll also compare three popular pool heat pumps and answer frequently asked questions, such as how long it takes to heat your pool and whether you should run the pump all day.
Like other pool equipment, it’s important to choose the right pool heat pump for your pool, climate, lifestyle, and needs. Here are 9 factors you need to consider:
When buying a pool heat pump, there are two types to choose from: fixed output (also known as on/off) and inverter. While they work along the same lines—both draw warm air from the atmosphere to heat your pool—the biggest difference is how they transfer heat.
For example, a fixed output heat pump operates at 100 per cent capacity all the time, whereas an inverter heat pump adjusts its speed to match the heat demand of the pool.
The result? An inverter pool heat pump is quieter and more energy-efficient than a fixed-output model. So if you want to minimise noise and running costs, opt for an inverter heat pump. While they’re more expensive to buy, ongoing savings will offset purchase and installation costs.
A heat pump’s efficiency is measured by its coefficient of performance (COP), which is the ratio of the amount of energy produced against the amount of energy consumed. In general, the higher the COP rating, the lower the running costs.
Top tip: The heat pump’s refrigerant (the fluid used for heat transfer) can also affect the COP rating. If available, choose a pool heat pump with R32 refrigerant. Not only does it speed up heating times compared to standard R410A refrigerant, but it can also lower carbon emissions and reduce energy bills by an extra 10 per cent.
Size matters when it comes to pool heat pumps. If your pool is large or you live in a cold climate, a bigger unit is usually better. However, if you have a small pool, limited garden space, or use a pool cover, a slim-line model like the Top Discharger Inverter may better suit your needs.
Pool heat pumps are often exposed to extreme weather conditions, as well as chlorine and other pool chemicals. It’s important to choose a unit that can withstand these conditions.
· Casing: Look for a pool heat pump with a reinforced plastic or aluminium alloy casing to ensure the unit lasts longer and maintains its appearance over the years.
· Heat Exchanger: Make sure it has a titanium heat exchanger. Titanium prevents corrosion from chlorine and other chemicals and is nearly indestructible, which is why it often comes with a long warranty that can outlast the heat pump itself.
Pool heat pumps can be noisy, which may be disruptive for young families or neighbours. Some units produce up to 60 decibels (similar to an air conditioner), while others are as quiet as 39 decibels (like the hum of a refrigerator).
The noise level of a unit depends on factors such as brand, size, fan blades, motor, and compressor. To keep noise to a minimum, choose a heat pump with noise levels between 40 and 50 decibels—for example, our Eco Inverter Heat Pump.
Top tip: If your heater is louder than expected or is located near a bedroom window, reduce noise by using a sound-absorbing pad or planting a hedge to dampen sound, ensuring proper clearance around the unit.
Check the temperature range of your unit to make sure it can handle cold temperatures in winter. If you live in a cold climate and your pool heat pump isn’t designed to operate in freezing temperatures (e.g. minus 10°C), it might not activate, or worse, ice and frost may damage the unit.
Conversely, if you live in a hot climate, you may find that your water temperature is too warm for comfortable swimming. If that’s the case, choose a heat pump with both heating and cooling (much like a reverse-cycle air conditioner). This will help you turn your pool into a cool oasis in summer and a steamy sauna in winter.
Before splashing out on a pool heat pump, make sure it’s within your budget. Pool heat pumps can costs can vary depending on the brand, size and features. Comparatively, running costs are low compared to gas pool heaters. For example, a heat pump can cost $250–$750 to run per year, while gas heating can cost $500–$1,500 per year – that’s a saving of roughly 50 per cent!
Plus, pool heat pumps have a lifespan of about 15–20 years (with proper use and maintenance), compared to 5–10 years for gas heaters. So while you pay more upfront, you could save thousands in replacement costs over the life of your pool.
When buying a pool heat pump, look for a recognised brand with a long warranty period – and don’t forget to read the fine print. Some brands may have a 25-year warranty on the heat exchanger and a 3-year warranty on the compressor. Others may have 5 years on both. Make sure the warranty period is long so you’re not out of pocket if something goes wrong.
Some pool heat pumps come with additional features, like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity. This means you can monitor water temperature or turn the heat pump off with your phone – even when you’re not at home. Another feature to look out for is automation capability.
How does a pool heat pump work?
Unlike a gas or electric pool heater, a pool heat pump doesn’t actually generate heat. Instead, a fan draws warm air into the unit’s evaporator coils, heating up the liquid refrigerant and turning it into a gas. The gas then passes through a compressor, where it gets heated up further before moving to the heat exchanger and heating up your pool water. As the water returns to your pool, the gas inside the compressor reverts to a liquid and starts the process all over again.
How long does it take for a heat pump to heat your pool?
When you first install a pool heat pump, it can take 24–72 hours to heat your pool water, depending on the dimensions of your pool, heat pump size, climate, water temperature (both starting and final) and whether you use a pool cover. Make sure you allow plenty of heating time if you’re entertaining friends or the kids are going to be on school holidays.
Can you leave a pool heat pump running all the time?
In general, pool heat pumps have a thermostat that shuts off when the target temperature is reached, then turns on again when the temperature drops. This helps the heat pump conserve energy without allowing the temperature to drop too dramatically. If you’re not planning to swim for a few weeks, you can turn off the heat pump and continue running your pump as normal.
However, if you swim often, it’s better to run the heat pump at a lower temperature even when you’re not in the pool. If you normally heat your pool to 28°C, bring it down to 23–25°C. This means you’ll be able to raise the temperature quickly if you want to take a dip.
Top tip: It’s faster and more energy-efficient to increase the water temperature than to heat up a cold pool.
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