Heat pumps are ideal for situations where a pool or spa is to be used all year or for longer periods than can be achieved naturally or with solar pool heating.  With a heat pump there is no need to install anything on a roof.

A heat pump works like a refrigerator or air conditioner.  Refrigerant is used to remove heat from one area and to transfer this heat to another area.  In the case of your refrigerator, the refrigerant gets to a very low temperature (around -20ºC) and absorbs heat from inside your refrigerator.  This heat is taken to the outside of your refrigerator.  This is why it is warm around your refrigerator.  In the case of a pool heat pump, the very cold refrigerant absorbs heat from the air and transfers this heat to your pool or spa water.  If the air temperature is very warm more heat is absorbed and more heat is transferred to your pool or spa water.

Heat pumps should be rated at an average air temperature of 15ºC and a pool temperature of 27ºC.  This is most indicative of pool heating needs in Australia at the time of the year when pool heating is really needed.  At these temperatures, heat pumps can produce over 4 times more heating than the power that is consumed.  That is, over 75% of the heating is provided for free!  The ratio of actual heating compared to the power consumed is called "Co-efficient of Performance" - COP.  A COP of 4 means that the unit transfers four times the heat to the water compared to the power consumed.

Heat pumps can cost more to install than, say, a gas heater.  However, the significant savings in energy costs quickly pay for the price difference. 

As with any pool or spa heater, if a pool blanket is installed, a lower cost unit can be installed and heating costs will be reduced.

• Compact Design.  A lot of power and performance is contained in a small unit which can fit almost anywhere.

  For example, the footprint of all THERMOswim TSC Series compact units is 660mm x 660mm - around the same size as an average hot water cylinder.  The height varies from 855mm to 955mm, depending on the model.

• Choice of Powder Coated Zinc Plated Steel or Stainless Steel Construction.  Key components such as the fan guard, fan motor shaft, evaporator ends and screws are stainless steel on all models.  In the case of the stainless steel option, all external and internal panels are stainless steel.  This significantly reduces the likelihood of corrosion - and it looks good and lasts longer.

• Scroll Compressor (standard on TSC Series).  Scroll compressors operate more efficiently and are quieter than the older style rotary compressors.  Scroll compressors also have fewer moving parts and are therefore more reliable

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• Soft Start (standard on all single phase models).  Soft start eliminates the power surge often caused when compressors start.

• R407C.  Refrigerant helps to capture heat energy from the air and transfer this to the water.  Most pool heat pumps use a refrigerant called R22.  R407C is a new refrigerant which is friendlier to the environment.

 (Note - the TSC19.0 uses R22.  This model will also be upgraded once R407C compressors for this size become available).

• Titanium Heat Exchanger.  Titanium is the best metal to be in contact with pool water.  It is good for transferring heat and will not corrode.  Titanium heat exchangers have a longer service life than other heat exchangers.

  THERMOswim uses a large heat exchanger for greater efficiency.

• Large Evaporator Area.  The evaporator is the "coil" on the sides of the unit.  THERMOswim has a large evaporator.  This improves efficiency, especially at lower air temperatures.

• Heating and Cooling.  Pools can be heated during the cooler months and cooled during very hot weather to maintain year round comfort.  Cooling is very useful in the tropics.

 

• Reverse Cycle De-Ice.  In cold weather ice can form on the evaporator, affecting performance.  Reverse cycle de-ice quickly removes any ice build up to allow for continuing efficient operation.

• Comprehensive Warranty.  5 years on the titanium heat exchanger including PVC case, compressor and stainless steel case (1 year labour). 1 year on all other parts and labour.

Output Power and COP describe the performance of a heat pump.

There is more information on heat pump performance and sizing in our section on sizing and running costs.

Information on swimming pool and spa heat pump sizing and heating costs