Pool Heat Pump Forum

Heat Pump for a Spa?

rizzilient — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:00:31 GMT

I'm a newbie in the market for a pool with a spill over spa. I'm thinking of heating the two with a heat pump but I'm getting conflicting advice from the pool contractors. Some are saying I can use the heat pump to heat the spa and others are saying we shouldn't go that route. The concern is that I won't be able to heat the spa in a reasonable amount of time (say 1 hour). I live on Long Island and I'd like to be able to extend the time I use the spa from April through October so as you can imagine the water temp of the spa, when cold, will have to come up considerably during those times, when I want to heat it.

Does anyone have any experience when using a heat pump to heat a spa? I loved to hear.

ice forming on outside of heat pump

Michael Hagan — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:59:57 GMT

After mediating damage done by rodents residing in the control panel during the off-seaons, I finally have my heat pump up and running. I am experiencing a disconcerting ice formation on the outside of the unit, all aroung the base of the evaporation fins (I think that's what the black radiator-looking "U" shaped perimeter of the unit is called. What do you think is going on? The pool temperature is rising, but perhaps (and I am not sure of this) the output termperature seems lower than what I remember in past seasons, but that may or may not be the case.

scroll vs. piston?????

Tom Klein — Thur, 08 May 2008 22:10:51 GMT

I have read articles stating that scroll compressors are more efficient than piston models and that if you want to save electricity, a scroll model is the way to go. Then in the next article I read where scroll compressors have at least a 5% less heat output than a same size piston model. If this is the case, I see the scroll running longer for the same amount of temperature rise in my pool, which I would think equates to a higher electric bill.......is this the real story??? Also hear that the piston is way more efficient as the outside ambient air temperature gets higher. True or false and at what air temperature does that become a reality?? I like the scroll for a number of reasons, less parts, better compression, etc., etc., but I also want the most heat, in the least amount of time, for the least amount of electricity.

2 inch -1.5 inch

Al Tambolleo — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:06:52 GMT

I have all 2 inch pipe on my pool. My new Heat siphon SX5.0 is 1.5 inch

Is it OK to plumb the heater using 2 inch?

NO BI PASS?

Al Tambolleo — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:03:40 GMT

Hello, By pool guy wanted to install a BIPASS on my Heat Siphon SX5.0
He noticed in the owners book that it reads NO BIPASS req.

Is this safe, I was worried thsat if something went wrong with the heat pump, and I had to turn it off, I could bipass and still use my pool pump and filter

Please comment

Al

Measuring flow

John — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:30:15 GMT

Hi Marcus, I have a few questions hopefully either you or an experienced forum member can answer.
I just had my HS DX 5.0 delivered to Pa, and am wondering:
1. What distance can the heat siphon be from the pool pump? Ideally I'd like to place it next to my central air unit, which is ~30' from the pool pump.
2. Will a 1hp pump provide the necessary flow for the 5.0
3. What's the best way to measure flow rate?

thanks!

John

Free Heat from home A/C

John G — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:02:14 GMT

I was wondering if anyone else has thought of recovering the waste heat generated by a home A/C condensing unit? My pool heater and A/C condensing unit are only 5 feet away from each other. My A/C runs almost all day, in the summer. Even if I only gain 1-2 degrees/day, it would keep my pool warmer all summer.

I am looking into buying a titanium heat exchanger similar to one used on a pool heat pump, and connecting the refrigerant lines in parallel to my A/C condensing unit refrigerant lines. I would plumb the water lines in parrallel to my pool heater (natural gas).

Anyone know where I could buy a reasonably priced heat exchanger (only)?

Heat Siphon DX 5.0 ready to deliver

John — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:13:49 GMT

Hi Marcus,

Do you direct ship from the manufacturer? I can't imagine I ordered it Wednesday and it's in my area today from Wahington State???

Anyways, that's great! The delivery company said I could come pick it up tomorrow if I like, but I will probably not do that. You gave me free delivery and I should take advantage of that.

thanks and I'll let you know what I think of the heater once I get it up and running. I can't wait to start extending my swim season.

best regards, John

Heat pump vs Heater

David Moyer-Diener — Thur, 17 Apr 2008 19:53:04 GMT

I have a 40x18ft roman style pool with an 8ft deep end, there is a 5x5ft hot tub attached. I have been told it is about 28K gal total. We live in south TX 10 miles from Mexico with a ambient temp 90+ deg days from mid April until Sept. There is no gas to the site. We would like to have a hot tub that is actually hot (100deg) at times, doesn't need to be all the time. In addition it would be great to have the pool 80-85 deg in the "winter" when ambient temp is 50-60 deg. I do not have a cover because we have a Catch-a-kid pool net (and having both would get very cumbersome to remove) but if push comes to shove I could get one. Would a heat pump work for this and if so what size? or will I have to get a pool heater?

Heat/Cooling option

Fred — Thur, 17 Apr 2008 08:31:27 GMT

So.I'm getting ready to contract a pool in the Phoenix area, and have been searching for equipment recommendations. Your web site has been a wealth of information. I was wondering if you could provide a specific recommendation in my case. My project calls for a pretty standard size pool with a 8 diameter spa. Im looking for the silver for bullet of temperature control.

1. 1. Heat the pool to allow about a 9-month swim season.

2. 2. Heat the SPA year round without an unreasonable wait time.

Be 3. Be able to cool the pool in the middle of the summer if necessary

4. 4. Allow control via a pool automation unit.

What product(s) do you recommend??

Thanks!!

Brand new to pool care and maintenance

Tonya — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:18:00 GMT

Hi,

We just bought a home in Boise, ID with a 20' X 40' pool. It is 8' deep at the deep end. The house was "flipped" and though we got a great deal, it appears that we will need to replace some or all of the equipment: at least the heater and possibly the pump.

We have purchased a solar bubble cover and the pool is in a very sunny area surrounded by a concrete patio. It gets hot here in the summer, so we may find that a heater isn't necessary this year.

However, I have no idea what size heater to consider, or what factors I should consider before purchasing a heater or a pump...or anything else for that matter. The pool water is filtered through sand and we have natural gas as well as electricity available.

Any advice?

Best time to run a heat pump

Tom — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 04:26:26 GMT

Hello, I am considering a heat pump for our pool and after reading various posts am wondering if the best time to run a heat pump is when the outside ambient temperature is at its highest for the day??? I imagine this generates a shorter run time and faster pool heating?? Is there a point where the outside air temp is too warm to run a heat pump?? Is humidity a factor??Thanks.

heat pump sizing

Tom — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 04:47:49 GMT

Hi,
I have a winter home north of Puerto Vallarta, MX. The home is on the Pacific, so we do get above average wind and evaporation. My pool is a small inground with about 350 sq. ft. surface area and about 4.5 ft. deep. The pool is partially shaded for part of the morning. We do not use a blanket, but would consider it if you thought it would "greatly" improve efficiency. I have looked at various manufacturer's and am kind of leaning toward Heat Siphon, but don't know if I need the larger 5hp. model or the 3.25hp?? We would use the heater for the months of Nov. thru March and would like to be at around 80 deg.F. Which is the better choice or do you have alternative suggestions??? Scroll or piston??

AR2500 Heat Pump

Buck Woods — Thur, 27 Mar 2008 02:02:13 GMT

A couple of weeks ago you recommended that I use either the AE2000 or the 2500 Jandy. After reading the specs, I am about to pull the trigger on the 2500. This is new construction, and I have decided to add an overflow SPA. I am a hands on person. My pool contractor is not very forthcoming with information, even though he has years of experience. I will probably install the heat pump myself after the pool and spa have been completed. How do the "dual thermostats" work? Are there separate inlets & outlets for the pool and spa? Do the "dual thermostats" control the temperature of each unit. If so, how? Your thoughts, information, and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. It has been about 25 years since my last pool, and I have had no experience with pool heaters, nor have I ever had an overflow spa. Can I heat them separately using the Jandy 2500, or will I need a separate heater for the spa? It's like pulling teeth to get information from the pool contractor. It makes me think that he may not know much about this subject. Help!

Thanks,
B. Woods
North Mississippi

How many BTU's do I need?

kay — Thur, 20 Mar 2008 20:15:31 GMT

My gas heater has gone out again and needs to be replaced. How many BTU's do I need? Small pool, 10,000 gallons with small hot tub.