44-45 POOL HEATERS:SPN Master pages 11/3/09 22:57 Page 2
spnfeature
UK HEAT PUMP MARKET IN
A STATE OF FLUX
The growing heat pump market is in a state of change and possible upset.
Demanded by energy conscious consumers, the market is now affected by
cheaper imports from China in particular and the Far East. Claims are
being made for superior performance but the problem is there is no
industry standard when it comes to rating the output capacity of a
swimming pool heat pump. So where does the consumer go from here?
eat pumps are by no means a companies battle it out for an what in the Gemini and features like Heatstar’s latest
H
strange invention. Similar in past two years is seen as a steadily low energy digital fan technology, together
operation to a refrigerator, they increasing market share. They all know the with the ‘all-in-one’ dehumidifier heat
absorb energy in the form of heat and market is growing but they also know pump and fresh air heat pump concept.
moisture from outside air and upgrade it consumers are demanding lower prices The Gemini represents the ‘state of the
to a usable form of heat through the and improved performances. art’ approach for low energy climate control
unique ability of their refrigeration circuit. Europe’s heat pump product market is within both domestic and commercial
The trouble is there is a huge demand now thought to be in the biggest period of indoor pools. Paul Scott, Technical Director
for them – driven by the international change ever with prices likely to be driven at Heatstar added: “In an age where there
desire to cut energy consumption and save down as the choices open up for pool is great international focus on reducing
money. Anyone walking the aisles at any of owners. But there is now what many people energy consumption, the new Heatstar
the big European pool shows over the last perceive to be a change in the market with Gemini system serves to demonstrate that
18 months will know the choice of pool the criteria for survival based hopefully on the UK is, once again, leading the way
heaters is huge. who offers an effective, reliable product and through innovation and design.”
China and the Far East have started to provides good after sales support. Any importer or distributor of heat
blitz the market with products made in It was the French specialist swimming pool pumps will always claim that effective on-
part by large air conditioning companies market which was first hit when it witnessed site service provision is available – because
who modify their units to accommodate a an influx of cheap products from the Far East. it is an essential element necessary to sell
heat exchanger. China alone has changed There is a cycle with people initially this type of product.
the European market dramatically. Some attracted by very low price, trying a few However, genuinely providing such a
low budget brands are now being installations and subsequently incurring service across the UK is far easier to claim
imported and distributed in the UK and multiple issues which have proved very costly, than actually achieve. It is very important to
companies are looking to benefit from a not to mention, embarrassing to resolve. remember that any engineer who attends
combination of price advantage and Now a theme of quality is being stamped the end client’s property for a warranty
apparent good specification. on the market. The signs are that despite repair is legally representing the trade
And this is where the problem is being the availability of cheaper products, the UK retailer – not the importer or distributor.
seen for the UK market over the next is trying to find a way out by setting higher Therefore, if the engineer demonstrates
couple of years. standards for the efficiency of pool heaters themselves to be unfamiliar with either the
First came increased demand, almost more than anywhere else in the world. The product or the characteristics of a
exclusively on the back of environmental success of Heatstar and Calorex brands is swimming pool or does not hold the legal
concerns, and then not far behind new now supporting that view. qualification now necessary to service
brands trying to establish themselves Heatstars Gemini Climate Control Unit refrigeration products, then these failings
throughout Europe. with renewable energy technology has will be reflected upon the trade retailer.
In the UK specialist trade, up to eight made a big impact. Europe saw the As with most market sectors, a broad
“THERE IS A CYCLE WITH PEOPLE INITIALLY ATTRACTED BY
VERY LOW PRICE, TRYING A FEW INSTALLATIONS AND
SUBSEQUENTLY INCURRING MULTIPLE ISSUES WHICH
HAVE PROVED VERY COSTLY, NOT TO MENTION,
EMBARRASSING TO RESOLVE”
44 swimming pool news APRIL 09
➤➤➤
Digital edition available at
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92