Is a Heat Pump For a Pool Worth It?
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If you are considering an electric heat pump for your swimming pool, it’s important to understand where they work well and where they don’t. Unlike gas or propane, electric heat pumps are best suited for maintaining and slightly increasing water temperatures during your regular swimming season, rather than extending the season into colder months when much higher BTU rates are needed. This is because heat pumps generate fewer BTUs than gas-powered heaters, and they rely on ambient heat and sunlight to operate efficiently. In colder climates, or when outdoor temperatures drop significantly at night, electric heat pumps may struggle to raise the water temperature to your desired level.
Location plays a key role in performance. Heat pumps work best in warm, sunny areas where they can operate consistently and efficiently. If your heat pump is installed in the shade or a poorly drained area, it may not perform optimally. Additionally, these units can produce up to five gallons of condensate per hour, which requires proper drainage planning. To maximize efficiency, covering the pool nightly—whether with an automatic cover, bubble solar blanket, or liquid solar cover—is essential to retain heat, though it does create a more hands-on maintenance routine. For those hoping to extend their swimming season into colder months, gas or propane heaters remain the only practical option for reliable anytime heating. Electric heat pumps, while cost-efficient and effective in the right conditions, should be approached with realistic expectations in that they are essentially supercharged solar heaters providing steady, energy-efficient warmth rather than instant and high output heat. Proper placement, sunlight exposure, and regular pool coverage are critical to getting the most out of an electric heat pump, making it an ideal solution for homeowners in moderate climates who want efficient, day-to-day heating without the high operational costs of gas. These are the pools that would benefit the most from a new electric heat pump.
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Swimming Pool Steve is an award winning, second generation swimming pool specialist from Ontario Canada and one of the most trusted voices in the swimming pool industry. With over 20,000,000 views on the Swimming Pool Steve YouTube Channel, winner of the Pleatco Pool & Spa Industry Leadership award and author of hundreds of pool and spa articles both online and in print. Steve is committed to helping pool and spa owners as well as pool and spa industry workers learn more about the technical side of building, renovating, repairing and maintaining all types of swimming pools and spas. Follow Swimming Pool Steve on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
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www.PoolPartsToGo.com
New Black + Decker variable speed pumps are available online from www.PoolPartsToGo.com and they are a drop in replacement for many popular pump models including Pentair Superflo and Hayward Super Pumps. With an adjustable platform base, union connections included and a very strong warranty these pumps offer an impressive value to pool owners.
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