The pool heat pump is a device used to heat swimming pool water and has become an increasingly popular option for pool owners due to its efficiency. Highly autonomous, pool heating significantly extends swimming seasons and guarantees optimal comfort.

Heat Pump: How does it work?

To heat the pool water, the PAC (heat pump) captures calories naturally present in the air and transfers them to the water through an air-to-water heat exchange. Its operating mode is therefore economical and uses little energy.

Simply choose the desired temperature and the heat pump takes care of the rest!

A heat pump comprises four main components:

• The evaporator
• The compressor
• The heat exchanger / condenser
• The expansion valve

A refrigerant fluid circulates in a closed circuit within the PAC through these four elements.

• Step 1: In the evaporator, the liquid refrigerant comes into contact with the warm air drawn in by the PAC. It then evaporates into gas and moves up toward the compressor.
• Step 2: The compressor draws in and compresses the gas to increase its temperature.
• Step 3: The exchanger transfers the calories (heat) from the hot gas under high pressure to the pool water circulating on the other side of the wall.
• Step 4: The expansion valve reduces the gas pressure to return it to a liquid state.

There are two main categories of heat pumps on the market:

How to choose your heat pump?

To select your PAC correctly, it is essential to calculate the required power (sizing) and define the options you want.

First of all, sizing a heat pump is crucial and depends on several factors:

• Geographical location (location and climate)
• Pool water volume
• Desired heating period
• Presence of equipment such as a cover or a shutter

To choose the PAC that best suits your pool and your needs, we recommend using a heat pump configurator. This will guarantee you make the right choice! 💦

🛟 Note: the COP (coefficient of performance) measures the efficiency of the heat pump, using the ratio between the energy consumed and the energy returned (generally between 4 and 7). The higher the COP, the better the efficiency of the air-to-water PAC, which reduces your electricity bill. The COP is indicated on all our data sheets.

On / Off or Full-Inverter Heat Pump?

The On / Off (traditional) PAC operates based on a predefined temperature level, while the Full-Inverter PAC operates over a heating range.

The traditional heat pump

Indeed, the traditional On / Off heat pump heats the water at a constant power throughout its cycle. It runs at full capacity until the desired temperature is reached, then it stops. Once the water has cooled down, the PAC restarts at full power.

This operating mode generates intensity peaks and results in higher electricity consumption.

Advantages of a traditional PAC:

• Reasonable cost
• Economical operation (returns 4 to 6 times the energy actually used)
• Energy efficiency lower than that of a Full-Inverter PAC

The Full-Inverter heat pump

The Full-Inverter heat pump, for its part, operates progressively. When it starts, the water temperature increases rapidly. As it approaches the set temperature, the compressor adjusts its rotation speed to meet the established heating needs.

Consequently, the Full-Inverter PAC uses just the amount of energy necessary to heat your pool water.

Advantages of a Full-Inverter PAC:

• Decreases annual electricity consumption
• Reduces noise through low-speed operation
• Increases the reliability and longevity of the PAC
• Maintains a constant temperature without fluctuations

Note: several types of Inverter technologies are available on the market:

• Full Inverter: as mentioned, these PACs offer optimal performance by adapting their operation to the desired temperature. They are autonomous, reliable, and very energy-efficient.
• Step Inverter or Simple Inverter: a simplified and more economical version of Full Inverter. These PACs have several intensity levels (generally between 3 and 4) and adjust the level based on needs. Often, only the compressor modulates its speed while the fan operates in On/Off mode. This type of Inverter PAC is therefore noisier than a Full Inverter model.

Comparison of differences between a classic On / Off PAC and a Full-Inverter PAC:

The traditional heat pump works with a single power setting (On/Off). It stops when the target temperature is reached and restarts at full power if the water needs heating. The drawback of this system is the high intensity peak during startup, requiring a specific circuit breaker (curve D) to withstand these amperage variations.

The Full-Inverter heat pump, for its part, has a progressive startup (without intensity peaks). To optimize its consumption, it also reduces its operating intensity as it approaches the defined temperature. In this way, for equivalent heating, it requires less energy, which results in a decrease in its electricity consumption.