Having a swimming pool allows you to enjoy the outdoors and make the most of warm, pleasant weather and sunny skies. But the main drawback becomes evident when the temperatures drop and the pool water becomes too cold. Since this temperature drop occurs at the end of the summer season, with cooler temperatures prevailing from then to the middle of springtime, your pool can be dormant for the better part of the year. However, there is a solution to keeping your backyard pool warm year-round. It lies in the use of a heat pump.
What is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is a heating device. Its primary purpose is to warm up the water in a swimming pool. Pool heat pumps work by drawing atmospheric air into the machine and then using it to heat your pool.
A significant benefit of using a heat pump is its ability to maintain a constant water temperature throughout its operation. This attribute differs from the more conventional gas heaters, whose warmth production is more instant yet just as short-lived. Instead, heat pumps keep the water at the desired temperature by turning on and off in response to the water’s temperature fluctuations.
Installing a Heat Pump
The best placement for a swimming pool heat pump is in an outdoor area set apart from other structures. The separation facilitates much needed uninterrupted airflow, thus maintaining the pump’s efficiency.
Additionally, it is best to install your heat pump close to the swimming pool. If the separation distance is too large, there will be more heat loss between the pump and the water, thus lowering efficacy and increasing operating costs.
How Much Power Does a Heat Pump Utilise?
Different heat pumps have different energy consumption levels, depending on their size. However, a standard heat pump with a 100,000 BTU rating consumes up to 5 kWh of electricity every hour.
What Are The Advantages of Investing in an Electric Heat Pump?
Durability
Electric heaters boast a longer usable lifespan than their gas counterparts. This difference is evidenced by the fact that a well-maintained electric pump will last for 15 years while gas is only effective for five.
This disparity results from the differences in heat exchangers that each device uses. Gas heaters use copper heat exchangers that are prone to corrosion upon exposure to salts and other chemicals- products of combustion. On the other hand, electric pumps use titanium exchangers. These types are not susceptible to rust; thus, they last longer.
Environmentally Friendly
If you want to maintain a lower carbon footprint, then a heat pump is better. While heat pumps are not entirely eco-friendly, they nevertheless require 80% fewer fossil fuels to produce the same heat amounts as those using gas.
Cost-effectiveness
While heat pumps have higher upfront installation costs, it is more cost-effective to run them than gas heaters. This difference stems from higher natural gas costs over a more extended period. Moreover, you cantake advantage of an existing solar system by connecting your heat pump to it for free energy.
A heat pump is a must-have if you want unlimited access to your pool throughout the year. This equipment is efficient, affordable, and can last for many years if you maintain it properly. The best thing is that it’s more friendly to the environment than its fuel-powered competitors.
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Should I Buy An Inground or Above Ground Swimming Pool?
