The end of summer is a challenging time for pool owners. The warm, sunny days leave you yearning for one more dip in the pool, but the cool nights drop the water temperature enough to make it just a little too cold for comfort. When temperatures start dipping you can extend the pool season by installing a heat pump. Keep your swimming pool warm during the cooler weather and enjoy your pool deck for another few weeks, or months!

How Do Pool Heat Pumps Work?

Pool heat pumps are efficient, last for many years, and have lower operating costs than gas or propane pool heaters. What sets heat pumps apart from other pool heaters is that they use electricity to capture heat and move it from one place to another. They don't generate heat. As the pool pump circulates the swimming pool's water, the water drawn from the pool passes through a filter and the heat pump heater. Ultimately, the heated water gets pumped into the pool, as more water gets pumped into the heater.

Heat pump pool heaters work efficiently as long as the outside temperature remains above 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooler the outside temperature, the more energy they use. It is estimated that a heat pump can heat a pool by 20 degrees Fahrenheit in one to three days. Of course, that is dependent on the size of the pool, the outdoor temperature, and whether a solar blanket is used during the heat-up process.

Determining Pool Heat Pump Size

AquaPro Heat Pumps come in sizes ranging from 50,000 to 127,000 BTUs. Determining what size you need involves looking at several factors: the surface area of the pool and the difference between the water temperature and the air temperature. Additional factors include wind, humidity, and cool night temperatures.

To quickly calculate an approximate heater size for your outdoor swimming pool you will want to consider your desired swimming pool temperature, the average temperature for the coldest month of pool use, and the pool surface area. Subtract the average temperature for the coldest month from the desired pool temperature to get the temperature rise needed.

Use the following formula to determine the BTU/hour output requirement of the heater:

Pool Area x Temperature Rise x 12

Extend Your Pool Season

Don't let your pool sit idle just because it is a little bit chillier. Find out how you can enjoy warm water into the fall. Learn more about AquaPro Heat Pumps by contacting your Doheny’s at 800-574-7665.

Enjoy your pool longer this year! Download Your AquaPro Heat Pump Manual today.