HEAT PUMPS
The Heat Is On! C
WITH ENERGY BILLS RISING, THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MORE EFFICIENT WAYS TO OPERATE SO AS TO REDUCE THOSE SPIRALLING COSTS. HEAT PUMPS PROVIDE AN ECONOMICAL WAY TO HEAT POOLS AND ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY, BUT CHOOSING THE CORRECT ONE IS ESSENTIAL. THERE’S STILL A DANGER THAT BUYERS ARE MAKING POOR CHOICES BASED MAINLY ON PRICE, BUT ALSO APPARENT GOOD SPECIFICATION AND EXAGGERATED PERFORMANCE CLAIMS TOO, SO WE PUT WHAT’S AVAILABLE IN THE SPOTLIGHT By Jon Wadeson
ompared to fossil fuel boilers and electric heaters, heat pumps really are one of the most highly efficient and cost effective methods of heating a swimming pool thanks to producing several times more energy than they consume, and the technology is becoming more prevalent in today’s energy efficiency conscious market. But with so many choices on offer at a variety of price points and varying performance claims based often on differing criteria and benchmarks, it’s easy to see why choosing one can sometimes prove difficult. With a little research though, the right product is out there and with everyone looking to make savings and in the process, ‘go green’, there are numerous quality products available in the market and we take a look at some of the options available this year.
REALISTIC BENCHMARKS KEY TO GETTING RIGHT SOLUTION According to Lighthouse Pools who supply Zodiac products, the performance of heat pumps is always a hot topic when talking to installers and pool owners. The parameters on which a heat pump’s stated size are based upon vary greatly with some makes giving their headline size based upon 26°C air, 26° water and 80% humidity. This is a very unrealistic benchmark when looking to size the right machine for the UK environment. Fortunately, with the Zodiac Power First Premium heat pump, you not only have the quietest units available, as tested by the CETIAT laboratory, but all the sizes have been tested and accredited gaining the AFNOR certification for standards in France. These standards are carried out using the benchmark of 15°C air, 26°C water and 70% humidity, which is perfectly suited to a Northern Europe environment. It is critical also that the way in which data is collected and given adheres to strict guidelines. As an example, another brand, being sold in the UK, when tested to the same standards as the Power First Premium, gives a power of 6.19kW despite claiming a size of 9.5kW at 15 degrees. By supplying the Zodiac Power First Premium, Lighthouse Pools and their dealers/installers can rest in the knowledge that the product does what it
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Available exclusively from Lighthouse Pools is the Zodiac Power First Premium – Europe’s biggest selling heat pump
says on the box and is of a very high quality. The Power First Premium is Europe’s biggest selling heat pump from one of the world’s largest manufacturers of pool care equipment, Zodiac Pool Care, available exclusively, in the UK from Lighthouse Pools.
THE COST SAVINGS SOON ADD UP Every pool owner should assess renewable energy options when considering a heating system for an outdoor pool, either as part of the construction of a new pool or as a replacement or an upgrade of an existing older heating system.
Each potential application will exhibit specific criteria and characteristics which will
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influence the preferred method of heating. Generally, a fresh air source swimming pool heat pump, like the Heatstar Aquarius, will prove less expensive to operate, during a typical summer season, than any fossil fuel alternative method. The potential savings will depend upon the nature of the alternative fuels possible.
If the project has mains gas available, that may offer an alternative around 12% more expensive than a heat pump. However, if there is only heating oil or propane gas available, the cost savings achieved by a heat pump are considerably more with oil costing around 90% more and Propane 140% more. For a typical domestic outdoor pool of
SPN April 2014 75
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