What size heat pump should I buy for a swimming pool?

Why Choose a Heat Pump for Heating Your Pool?

At Guangteng, our extensive range of swimming pool heat pumps is purpose-built for efficient and reliable pool water heating and cooling. Every component is carefully engineered to deliver maximum performance and durability, even in the most demanding and unpredictable weather conditions.

Whether for residential pools, commercial leisure centers, or spa facilities, our heat pumps ensure consistent water temperature while offering energy-efficient and environmentally friendly operation all year round.

Maintaining Warm Pools During Winter

As temperatures drop in winter, swimming pools experience increased water evaporation and greater heat loss through radiation. This results in significant heat escaping from the pool, requiring efficient heating systems to compensate and maintain a comfortable water temperature.

Keeping Cool in Summer

In warmer months, swimming pools—especially in regions with intense sunlight—are subjected to elevated temperatures. When combined with high ambient humidity, the natural cooling effect of evaporation is greatly reduced, making the pool water uncomfortably warm.

This leads to unpleasant swimming conditions, limiting enjoyment and comfort for users. Heat pumps offer an effective solution by actively cooling pool water during hot and humid weather, ensuring a refreshing and comfortable swimming experience year-round.

How does a swimming pool heat pump work?

Swimming pool heat pumps provide the most energy-efficient method of heating swimming pools. They achieve the temperature you need while saving up to 75% in operating costs.
A heat pump uses electricity and refrigerant to transfer heat from one place to another. It absorbs heat from the outside air on the low-pressure side and transfers it to the refrigerant. The refrigerant is then compressed, causing its temperature to rise.

This heated refrigerant flows to the high-pressure side, where pool water passes over pipes containing the hot refrigerant. As a result, the heat is transferred to the pool water, raising its temperature efficiently.

Inverter Heat Pumps vs. On/Off Heat Pumps

There are two main types of swimming pool heat pumps, both operating on the same basic principle: extracting heat energy from the air and transferring it to the pool water to raise its temperature. Each heat pump features three key components: an evaporator, a compressor, and a heat exchanger.

On/Off Heat Pumps
This traditional technology has been widely used for decades as a reliable method for pool temperature control. However, on/off heat pumps operate with a compressor running at a fixed speed and frequency—typically around 50Hz or 60Hz. The compressor cycles on and off frequently during operation, always running at full capacity when active, which leads to higher noise levels and less precise temperature control.

Inverter Heat Pumps
In contrast, inverter heat pumps offer greater flexibility by operating across a wider frequency range—from 20Hz to 100Hz. The compressor speed automatically adjusts based on ambient conditions and the desired pool temperature, resulting in quieter operation, improved energy efficiency, and more stable temperature maintenance.

Inverter Pool Heat Pumps

Although inverter heat pumps are a relatively recent innovation, their adoption has rapidly increased thanks to their outstanding energy efficiency.

What drives this efficiency? The key is that both the fan and compressor can operate at variable speeds, allowing the heat pump to adjust precisely and quickly to the desired pool temperature.

Once the target temperature is reached, the heat pump reduces its power consumption by 25% to 50%. This efficient operation results in a Coefficient of Performance (COP) exceeding 13, meaning the heat pump produces over 13 kW of heat for every 1 kW of electricity used. Inverter heat pumps only consume the energy necessary and only when needed.

 They also perform reliably in temperatures as low as -10°C, making them ideal for outdoor pools and allowing you to enjoy your swimming season much longer than with traditional heating methods.

Factors Influencing the Size of a Pool Heat Pump

Choosing the right size and type of heat pump depends on several key factors, including:

The size of your swimming pool

Whether the pool is indoors or outdoors

The local climate and ambient temperature

If the pool is above ground or in-ground

The pool’s thermal characteristics and insulation quality

How Pool Size Affects Your Heat Pump Choice

While many online guides and calculators offer rough estimates of the heat pump size you need, it’s important to treat these as general references only. The actual requirements depend heavily on several factors—especially those previously mentioned—that influence how effectively a heat pump can heat or cool your pool.

Below is a very approximate guide indicating the typical heat output needed for four different pool sizes. However, keep in mind that the pool’s surface area and other variables will affect the exact specifications.

For the most accurate recommendation tailored to your pool’s needs and budget, our experts are ready to assist you in selecting the optimal heat pump for both performance and cost-efficiency.

What Are the Operating Costs of a Heat Pump?

Although the initial purchase price may seem significant, the long-term savings make it a worthwhile investment. Our heat pumps are designed for high energy efficiency, resulting in lower running costs and allowing you to keep your pool open for longer periods each year.

By choosing an inverter heat pump, you can reduce energy consumption by up to 50% compared to traditional on/off models—and use just a tenth of the energy required by comparable gas or electric pool heating systems.

Conclusion

Choosing the right pool heat pump is essential for efficient and cost-effective pool heating and cooling. While initial costs may be higher, especially with advanced inverter models, the significant energy savings and extended pool usability throughout the year offer excellent long-term value. Inverter heat pumps, in particular, provide superior efficiency and lower operating costs compared to traditional systems, making them a smart investment for both residential and commercial pools.