Air Source Heat Pump - Pros and Cons

In Summary:

In general, an Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) will make sense for a domestic user with an in-ground or above-ground pool.

If you have an outside pool and the season is from May-September this option makes great sense.

Once installed the unit will heat the pool using far less energy than the traditional heating systems and with COP (Coefficient of performance) ratings of up to as much as 10:1 on some units, this will show savings from the get-go.

This technology is the future of pool heating and is being adopted for use in new build homes as a viable alternative to gas or electric heating.

Our advice is simply to buy a quality unit as there are a lot of cheaper inferior models on the market that make claims on performance that rarely deliver, we only sell products that are supplied by reputable manufacturers with great aftercare service.

PROS:

• Running Costs very low when compared with Gas, Oil, Electric.
• Easy to install most domestic models are single-phase and have built-in heat ex-changers so it's all in one unit
• Simple operation not many moving parts very low ongoing maintenance costs
• Smart technology means it only heats when it's required and only uses energy required to maintain the required temp making it very efficient
• Less impact on the environment modern pumps with R32 refrigerant has much less impact on the planet.
• Able to produce heat even in very cold temperatures down to -20oC (only all year round models)
• The flexible application can be used for swimming pools, slasher pools and spas.
• Quality models will tend to have WI-FI interference so the pump can be monitored and adjusted remotely.

CONS:

• Initial costs are higher for quality models but this is offset over time with the savings on energy bills
• Some lower-spec models will only operate for a summer season or extended season unless you buy an all-year-round rated model
• In lower ambient temperatures the heat-up time can be longer than say an electric or gas heater
• To operate to peak performance the unit must be sited outside this can be problematic if you have limited space.

Additional Info

Please email our team info@poolandspacentre.co.uk if you have any questions or would like advice on which model is best for you