HEATPUMP - Pool heating explained

HEATPUMP - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a heatpump?
How does a Heat Pump work?
What size Heat pump do I need?
Where do I position the Heat Pump?
How complex is the installation of a heat pump?
What is the operating cost?
Is there any maintenance required for a heat pump?
Can a heat pump heat a pool overnight?
What are kW and BTU?
What does COP mean?
Why should I use a solar blanket or pool cover?
Will the SOLNET unit run all the time?
How is an SOLNET heat pump controlled?
What is the lowest ambient air temperature at which the SOLNET heat pump can work?
Will the SOLNET heat pump ever need more freon?
 

What is a heatpump?
A Heat Pump is a machine similar in principal to an airconditioner that works in reverse cycle. It extracts heat from the outside atmosphere and transfers it to water (e.g. your swimming pool) thereby increasing the water temperature.

How does a Heat Pump work?
A Heat Pump works by removing the heat from the surrounding ambient air and transfers this heat through a Heat exchanger by means of pumping the swimming pool water through it and back to the pool. The pool’s temperature is controlled thermostatically to the required temperature.

What size Heatpump do I need?
The size of a Heat Pump is based on the size of your swimming pool’s surface area and the volume of water in the pool. These factors together with the desired temperature of the water will determine the size of the Heat pump.

Where do I position the HeatPump?
A Heat pump is positioned as close as possible to the swimming pool filtration system. It is designed to be used out doors and does not require any covering against the elements. In fact if a Heat Pump is covered during operation it will not perform optimally.

How complex is the installation of a heat pump?
The heat pump is a single, compact, easily installed unit. A 220-volt dedicated circuit and attachment to your existing pool pump is basically all that is required. The machine must meet a minimum clearance requirement, to insure proper airflow. Proper placement is critical to the performance of the pool/spa heat pump. A concrete slab may be required unless there is enough room on an existing slab. If a chlorinating device is present it must be placed downstream from the heat pump and a check valve must be installed to prevent chemical damage.

What is the operating cost?
Compared to other types of heating equipment, (with the exception of solar heaters, which only heats when the sun is present) the SOLNET pump is very economical. Two types of energy sources are utilized to produce the required heat output. This is the heat from the ambient air and electrical power used to run the compressor.

Is there any maintenance required for a heatpump?
There is no attention required by a Heat Pump as with air conditioner. Simply remove any leaves, grass, paper, etc. – which occasionally collects from the air. The pool chemistry should always remain balanced. The evaporator grills are coated to prevent corrosion. However if you live near a salt-water environment you may want to hose down the outside evaporator coil to help prevent the build up of salt and rust.

Can a heat pump heat a pool overnight?
Yes. However it all depends on the size of the pool and the time of year. Heat pumps are made to maintain pool temperature on a daily basis. If the heat pump is sized properly to the pool size, once the desired temperature is reached it will automatically maintain that temperature all month long.

What are kW and BTU?
Electricity is sold by a unit called “kilowatt-hour.” One “kilowatt-hour” is equal to 3412 BTU. BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. It is a unit of measure that some heat pump manufacturers use on their specifications.

What does COP mean?
COP stands for Coefficient of performance i.e. The ratio of energy output to energy input. This is dependent on the ambient air temperature and the temperature of the water of the swimming pool. It tells you the energy efficiency rating of the heat pump.

Why should I use a solar blanket or pool cover?
As with all swimming pool heating systems you are advised to use a pool cover when the swimming pool is not in use. This will keep evaporation (the greatest heat loss) to a minimum and so reduce the overall pool heating costs and unwanted frustrations. A pool cover can cut total heat loss by 50% to 95%.

Will the SOLNET unit run all the time?
No! At the beginning of the season you set the electronically programmable thermostat to the desired temperature. Once set, it will monitor the swimming pool water temperature and only start the unit when required. (e.g. When the pool water temperature drops below the required temperature).

How is an SOLNET heat pump controlled?
It is controlled by the programmable electronic thermostat on the control panel which has a digital temperature display.

What is the lowest ambient air temperature at which the AQUAHAET heat pump can work?
The SOLNET is a heat pump with a positive de-ice system that allows the unit to efficiently heat your swimming pool water at near zero degrees Celsius ambient air temperatures.

Will the SOLNET heat pump ever need more freon?
The SOLNET heat pump has a sealed refrigeration system that is filled with a refrigerant called “freon”. The factory charge of freon should last for the life of the unit. Freon is a very stable gas and should not degrade or breakdown even under severe operating circumstances. If your unit needs freon it probably has a leakage which must be located and repaired before more freon is added, otherwise the problem will not be resolved. Fortunately freon leaks are rare and usually only occur due to shipping damage.

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