How to choose the right size pool heat pump?

Pool Heat Pumps operate by taking heated air from the outside air and pumping it back into your pool’s water. Unlike traditional pool heaters, an inverter pool heat pump only needs a small amount of electricity to power the fan and compressor.

There are several advantages to choosing a pool heat pump. Ranging from unparalleled energy efficiency to the flexibility of heating your pool with or without the sun.

To reap the most consistent and cost-effective functioning from your pool heat pump, it’s important to select a pool heat pump suitable for the conditions you will be using it in. Choosing the right size will help make the most of your pool heat pump.

Choose the right size pool heat pump – What you need to consider:

Are you using a pool cover?

If you have a pool, you need a pool cover – especially in Australia. A pool cover (pool blanket) reduces evaporation and retains the temperate of the water, allowing you to take advantage of a smaller pump. Although perfect for fun in the sun, our climate can cause an uncovered domestic pool to lose up to 55,000 litres annually through evaporation. When water evaporates, so too do expensive pool chemicals and salts, losses which are costly, but thankfully easily avoided.

Choosing a properly fitted solar pool cover can prevent up to 97% of evaporation and hundreds of dollars worth of pool care products depending on the size of your pool.

For a free measure and quote using Nearmap Technology, click here.

Where is your pool, and how long do you want to swim for?

Where you live is just as essential as the size of your pool. If you live in a warm environment, your pool heat pump won’t need to work as hard. A small to a mid-sized pool heat pump would be perfect for a medium-sized swimming pool. If you want to swim in your pool year-round, you may need a larger pool heat pump.

Designed for Australian conditions, the NCS Premier Series of inverter pool heat pumps operate with an outside temperature of -5°C to +43°C and are available in a range of sizes to suit the volume of your swimming pool.

Environment Average Temperature

You will also need to determine the average temperature of your pool’s environment throughout the coldest month you’ll be using it. Make sure you take into account additional factors such as humidity, wind chill, and nighttime temperatures. If you live in a dry environment with strong wind and low night temperatures, investing in a bigger pool heat pump would be wise.

Water Temperature Set

The degree to which you want the rise of the water to heat is also a key consideration. Basically, the greater the rise, the larger the pool pump required, as it will increase the water temperature quicker per unit time than a smaller one.

Filtration Working Time

Determine how and how often you will use your pool. You can pick between two heating options – heat from cold or to sustain a set temperature. If you are swimming regularly, you may want to maintain the heating at all times rather than heating from cold.

Pool Volume

The size of your pump needs to correspond to the size of your pool. How long it takes to move all the water in your pool (water turnover) determines the water structure in your pool. Before speaking with a professional, we recommend determining the volume of your pool. To do this, multiply the length by the width and the average depth.

Take the guesswork out!

Pool heat pump calculation can be complicated for many pool owners. For the most consistent and cost-effective functioning inverter pool heat pump for your swimming pool, contact the expert team at NCS Pool Heating Systems. We will discuss your needs and recommend the right size pool heat pump for your needs.

For a rough guide on choosing the right size pool heat pump, divide your pool’s volume by 2500 to determine the kW required of your pool heat pump. For example, a 4 x 6 m pool with an average depth of 1.5 would have a volume of 36,000 litres. Now divide that by 2500, and you will get the number 10.4. So your pool heat pump would need to have a minimum of 10.4kW required for your pool heat pump. (Note, this number is taking into account the use of a pool cover)