Pool Heat Pump

[D45]

I'm looking at this heat pump to help with pool water temps this year:

FH135 35,000 BTU 120 Volt Swimming Pool Heat Pump

Extend your swimming season with FibroPool FH135, a 120v heat pump delivering 35,000 BTU at 5.55x efficiency for every $1 of electricity. Suitable for above ground and in-ground pools up to 7,500 gallons. Features intuitive digital controller and durable weatherproof case. Quick installation.

fibropool.com

Runs on a standard 3-prong, 120v outlet

According to the specs, it pulls 15.7 amps and requires a 20amp circuit

I know I have 12g wire and 20amp for my pool pump, but I need go check to see how much my pool pump draws first?

 

[justinjoyal]

I'm 99% sure you'll need a dedicated circuit. A pool pump draws quite a bit of current.

 

[D45]

I have a 110v 2 speed pump

I'll check the specs today on the amp draw

 

[D45]

Pump specs:

High speed is 11.0 amps
Low speed is 2.9 amps

 

[D45]

FH135 - 15.7 amp

Pool pump on LOW: 2.9 amps

Total draw is 18.6 amps

If I only use the heat pump when the pool pump is on LOW I wonder if it will be ok?

 

[jmdirk]

Check your local codes. Often pool pumps require dedicated circuits.

 

[fitter30]

raising water temp 1° 1 lb of water = 1 btu

 

[Shiftless]

raising water temp 1° 1 lb of water = 1 btu

Yep
35,000 BTU is not much for a swimming pool.

How many gallons is the pool?

 

[Shiftless]

For example…
10,000 gallons is 83,000 pounds of water

So a 35,000 BTU heater would warm that water up at the rate of less than half a degree per hour if we assume absolutely no heat loss to the surrounding air.

 

[D45]

It's a 24' round pool, so maybe 13,500 gallons

Just looking for options to help heat the water

Not wanting to run a gas line

 

[Shiftless]

It's a 24' round pool, so maybe 13,500 gallons

Just looking for options to help heat the water

Not wanting to run a gas line

Ok
crunching those numbers, I conclude that a 35,000 BTU heater will warm up that much water one degree F about every 3 hours. That assumes no evaporative heat loss. You do have a cover, right? And no heat loss through the sides of the pool when the air temp is lower than the water temp.

 

[D45]

Yes I have a cover.......

1° every 3 hours of heat pump running

6 degrees in less than one day is doable

Not saying I have to run or use the heat pump all the time, but on days when the water temp is 70°, 6 more degrees will drastically help

Just need to determine if a $1700 heat pump is worth it

 

[mike93lx]

I have a heat pump for my pool and wouldn't even consider a pool without a way to heat it. Mine is 120k btu and costs about a buck an hour to run. Adds several hundred for the season and is well worth it

The comfort difference between 70 and about 80 is massive.

I use mine to maintain temp, not raise it for certain days. Keep in mind that ambient temps really impact efficiency.