As each day passes, pool heat pumps become more and more popular as a top-choice pool heating solution. They offer superb performance coupled with a near unrivaled level of energy efficiency. Even better, they’re exceptionally cost effective and durable. But there’s one question that typically remains on the mind of the prospective heat pump buyer. How long does a pool heat pump take to heat a pool? Well, the answer to this question is dependent on a few major factors.
Size and BTUs
Typically speaking, the size of a pool heat pump directly correlates to its BTU (British Thermal Units), a commonly used measure of power in the air-conditioning and heating industries. BTUs are defined as the amount of energy needed to cool or heat one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. There are exactly 8.34 pounds of water within a gallon. Most of the time, higher BTUs means a higher performing unit, but not in all cases. Advanced units like the Oasis Platinum utilize 105,000 BTU and outperform leading 125,000 BTU units by as much as 60 percent.
External Air Temperature
As mentioned in a previous post, external air temperature directly correlates to the performance potential of a pool heat pump. Since air-source heat pumps harvest heat from the atmosphere, they naturally tend to perform better in higher temperatures. The majority of pool heat pumps operate perfectly fine down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (more advanced units can operate down to 40 degrees). However, the colder it is the harder a pool heat pump must work to pull in heat, thus affecting the amount of time it takes to heat up your swimming pool.
Size Of Swimming Pool
This one is kind of a no-brainer, but it’s still important to remember. Overall, the larger a body of water, the longer it will take to heat up. Of course, the current temperature of the water prior to heating also plays an important role, which leads to the next point.
Current Water Temperature VS Desired Temperature
If your swimming pool has been sitting in the summer sun at a comfortable 70 degrees Fahrenheit, then it wouldn’t take unreasonably long to get up to 80 degrees. However, if you’re just uncovering your pool from its winter season hibernation, then the water will likely be on the frigid side, which means getting it to a comfortable temperature will require more time.
Solar Pool Cover
Solar pool covers are an excellent addition to any pool and positively contribute to the overall eco-friendliness and energy efficiency of the pool system. Pool covers do the job of limiting and significantly reducing a pool’s rate of evaporation. With the use of a pool cover, pool temperature is considerably easier to maintain since the cover acts as a barrier against heat loss. This means less time putting that pool heat pump to work.
As a point of reference
A pool heat pump will typically heat an average size swimming pool by 20 degrees Fahrenheit within 24-72 hours. This holds true for all major brands of pool heat pumps, including Raypak, Hayward and Pentair heat pumps. Of course, it’s also vital to remember the importance of maintaining your pool heat pump. A well-kept and serviced unit will provide optimal performance for years to come. Be sure to regularly schedule an annual service call for your heat pump to ensure that it stays in tip-top shape – it’ll save you plenty of time and money down the road.
