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FAQs

Here are the answers to some common questions:-

What size heater do I need for my pool?

There are many factors that should be considered when sizing a heat pump for your swimming pool.

These include:-

  • Pool location - country and town
  • Indoor or outdoor pool
  • Surrounding water table level
  • Windy exposed site or sheltered
  • Desired pool operating temperature
  • Required season to use the pool
  • Pool surface area or volume
  • Whether the pool is covered when not in use and at night
  • If the pool has a solar or thermal cover

Also bear in mind that your heat pump needs enough power to heat your pool from cold at the start of the season.

In addition, the heat outputs quoted by each manufacturer are the maximum obtainable under optimum temperature and humidity conditions. In reality, the output that you achieve may be less than that stated.

For the reasons given above, it is therefore always advisable to oversize a heat pump whenever possible. A pool heat pump can never be too large, it will just heat up your pool more quickly ! If you undersize your pool heat pump, it will just run for many hours and may never raise your pool to the desired temperature.

This is where we can provide our expertise to consider all of these factors and help you choose the best size unit for your pool.

We therefore strongly recommend that you contact us to discuss the size of heat pump that you require before making a purchase.

The various manufacturers do publish guidance on sizing for their units as follows, however these are just a guide:-

Heat Siphon

1. Work out the surface area of your pool in square feet

2. For pools up to 350sq ft, you will need the 2.25hp model

3. for pools up to 700sq ft you will need the 3.25hp model

4. for pools up to 1000 sq ft, you will need the 5.0 model

Heat Perfector

Please see the sizing guide in the Heat Perfector product pdf here. Also see the online sizing guide Here

Competition

Please see the sizing guide on the Competition page here

Duratech

Please see the sizing table on the Duratech page here

Is a heat pump difficult to install?

Not at all, the heat pump needs a solid concrete base or can be laid on paving slabs. The unit then needs an electrical supply and it is best to get a qualified electrician to install this.

The plumbing is straightforward and the pipes are glued together. The heat pump only needs a flow and a return pipe.

The heat pump should be installed after the filter and as the last item before the water returns to the pool.

If you want to install the heat pump alongside your existing heater, then the water should flow through the heat pump and then through the existing heater before returning to the pool

What warranty is offered on the units?

All Heat Siphon Heat pumps come with a 2yr parts and labour warranty on the whole unit, 5-yr warranty on the compressor and lifetime warranty on the Titanium heat exchanger.

All Heat Perfector products come with the following warranty:-

  • The cabinet is guaranteed for 5 years
  • The compressor, motors pump etc are guaranteed for 2 years
  • The titanium heat exchanger is guaranteed for life

All Competition products come with the following warranty:-

  • Lifetime warranty on titanium heat exchanger
  • 5-years on compressor
  • 5-years on electrical components
  • 1-year labour for any repairs

All Duratech units have a 2-year UK parts and labour warranty on all parts.

All Waterco products come with the following parts and labour warranty:-

  • 10-years warranty on the titanium heat exchanger
  • 3-years warranty on the compressor
  • 1 year parts and labour warranty on all other components (subject to terms and conditions)

Note that all heat pumps shipped outside the UK are supplied with a parts-only warranty. Outside the UK you will need to employ a local contractor if required.

What size pipe outlets are on the units?

All Heat Siphon and Heat Perfector units have 2" male pipe outlets. Duratech have 50mm outlets. Other units are stated on the specifications page for each make.

We can supply adaptors to go to different pipe sizes if required.

What is the difference between the digital and analogue models?

Digital models have a digital display that allows you to set the required temperature using the buttons. The unit then maintains the pool temperature at the required temperature.

Analogue units use a simple knob to set the required temperature and work in the same way as digital models.

How do heat pumps work?

See our How they work page

How much can I save using a heat pump to heat my pool?

See our Savings page.

There is also a calculation on the savings page showing how a 32kw heat pump costs only  £3.33 per day to run !

What physical size are the heat pumps?

Each product listing states the physical sizes of each model.

Do you supply to mainland Europe?

Yes, we can ship to anywhere in mainland Europe and the UK

How are the units delivered?

The units are delivered on a lorry with a tail lift. The units are on a pallet and will only be delivered to your driveway. You must arrange to carry the unit to where you require your pump to be located. Note that the units are heavy and will require two or three people to move them safely.

What is a COP?

The COP is the Coefficient of Performance. It is the ratio of energy input to output. Eg a unit with a COP of 5 would provide 5 units of heat for every one consumed.

For example a heat pump with a COP of 5 would use about 4kw of electricity and output 20kw of heat (ie 5 x 4kw =20kw).

Bear in mind though that there is no international standard for stating COPs and therefore each manufacturer will state the maximum COP obtainable for their units under optimum temperature and humidity conditions. In reality you may not therefore always acheive the COP rating stated.

This is another reason why you should always oversize your heat pump

Can I install a heat pump in my pool pump house?

Most heat pumps should be installed outdoors as they require a good flow of fresh air to operate properly. The Competition RA range and Waterco range of products can however be installed in a pump-house or shed using the through the wall ducting kit.

See the listings for Competition and Waterco for more information

Should I cover the unit in winter?

We recommend that you cover your heat pump during the winter. However, you must use a suitable cover. The cover must allow the heat pump to breathe so that mositure and condensation can escape, otherwise corrosion can occur to the components in your heat pump causing permanent damage.

We sell a special range of heat pump winter covers that are custom made for each heat pump model and incorporate ventilation mesh panels to allow air circulation.

Heat Pump Winter Covers

Smaller heat pumps can be disconnected and carried into a garage or shed for the winter.

I have an existing gas boiler, should I replace it with a heat pump or keep the gas boiler as well?

If you have an existing heater (eg gas, oil, electric etc), then we recommend that you install the heat pump alongside your existing heater.

This will allow you to run both the heat pump and the existing heater if required for a rapid pool heat up, or to provide a backup heater in case the heat pump develops a fault (unlikely). You can also switch to your existing heater when the air temperature becomes too cold for the heat pump to operate efficiently eg right at the end of the season.

If you want to install the heat pump alongside your existing heater, then the water should flow through the heat pump and then the existing heater before returning to the pool for maximum efficiency

How do I turn the heat pump on and off at the required times?

All heat pumps include a water flow switch. This means that they will only operate when your pool pump is turned on and water is flowing through the heat pump.

You can therefore control when your heat pump operates by using a time clock on your water pump.

Some models (eg Duratech and Solupiscinas) also have a timer built into the digital control panel. This allows you to turn the heat pump on and off at set times independantly from the pool pump. Note that the pool pump always needs to be operating for the heat pump to work.

 

I have seen the same heat pump cheaper on another web site. Will you match the price?

Our prices are some of the cheapest on the internet and we always aim to provide highly competitive prices.

However if you see the same product cheaper elsewhere,  then please let us know and we will always try to match or beat any pricing you have seen

 

for all enquiries, please contact us at enquiries@heatpumps4pools.com

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