Pool heat pumps

Do you dream of enjoying your swimming season from the first warm days of spring right through to the golden fall? With a modern pool heat pump with full inverter technology, this dream becomes a clever reality. Forget the old, noisy "on/off" power guzzlers and overpriced solutions.

At Verkauf-Bochum.de, we rely on the latest technology: heat pumps that not only heat efficiently, but can also cool, work as quietly as a whisper and can be controlled smartly via an app. With us, you get pure heating performance and expert advice - without paying extra for expensive marketing gimmicks or a brand name.

No time for details? Here are the facts you need to know:

To understand why inverter technology is a revolution, we need to look at how it works in detail.

• The old method: On/Off heat pumps
  
  Imagine a car in city traffic. An old on/off heat pump drives like a novice driver: either full throttle or full braking. It always runs at 100 % output until the target temperature is reached and then switches off completely. This leads to three major disadvantages:

1. High power consumption: every start requires an enormous starting current, which can be up to 5 times higher than the rated current according to the rating plate.
2. High wear and tear: The constant hard switching on and off puts extreme strain on the compressor and other mechanical parts.
3. Noise pollution: The pump is always running at full load and is correspondingly loud.

• The smart method: Full inverter heat pump
  
  An inverter heat pump, on the other hand, acts like an intelligent cruise control. It continuously adjusts its output to the actual demand.

1. Boost mode: It starts gently and ramps up its output to quickly bring the pool to the desired water temperature.
2. Smart mode: Shortly before the finish line, it continuously reduces its output and maintains the temperature with minimum energy consumption. The compressor and fan intelligently adjust their speed to the actual heat requirement - they often only run at 20-30% of their capacity.

The basic function of a pool heat pump is fascinating and resembles an inverted refrigerator. It extracts heat from the ambient air and transfers it to your pool water.

1. Suction: A large, quietly running fan draws in air from the environment and passes it over an evaporator with a huge surface area.
2. Evaporation: A refrigerant circulates in the evaporator. This absorbs the heat energy from the air and thus becomes gaseous - this works even at cool outside temperatures.
3. Compressing: The DC inverter compressor (the heart of the pump) compresses this gas. The physical effect of compression causes the temperature of the gas to rise sharply.
4. Heat transfer: The hot gas now flows through the titanium heat exchanger. Your cooler pool water also flows through this heat exchanger and absorbs the heat energy highly efficiently.
5. Circulation: The gas cools down again due to the heat dissipation, becomes liquid and the cycle starts all over again.

The highlight of the inverter: the compressor can adjust its speed continuously instead of just being on or off. This is the key to efficiency.

When buying a heat pump, the devil is in the detail. Here are the technical features that professionals look out for:

• The flow switch: An essential safety feature. This sensor detects whether water is flowing through the pump. If the filter pump is off or the flow rate is too low, the flow switch automatically switches off the heating power. This prevents overheating and protects the appliance from serious damage. All our models are equipped with this feature.
• Heat exchanger quality: We only use titanium heat exchangers. Why? Titanium is 100% resistant to corrosion caused by chlorine, salt and other water treatment products. A heat exchanger made of stainless steel (V4A) is good, but can be attacked in the long term by a high chloride or salt content (>0.1%). With titanium, you are on the safe side for all types of water.
• The refrigerant: Modern heat pumps use the more environmentally friendly refrigerant R32. It has a lower global warming potential (GWP) than older agents such as R410A and also works more efficiently.
• Year-round models: Some of our high-end models are designed for year-round operation. They have an automatic defrost function and can extract heat from the air even at sub-zero temperatures. Ideal for swimming ponds or for die-hards who don't want to do without their pool even in winter.

Choosing the right model is the most important decision. We guide you through the decisive criteria.

Step 1: Determine the right output (kW) for your pool size

The heating output, specified in kilowatts (kW), must match the volume of your pool. An often-heard rule of thumb is: pool volume in m³ : 2 = minimum kW output.

But be careful! This rule is only an absolute minimum for optimum conditions (south of France, pool always covered). For the temperate climate in Germany, we strongly recommend planning more generously.

Our expert tip from Verkauf-Bochum.de: Pool volume in m³ = recommended kW output.

A more powerful pump runs less frequently at full load and therefore operates most of the time in the most efficient and quietest mode. The small additional purchase costs are quickly amortized by the electricity savings and comfort. An oversized pump is not a waste of energy, but a gain in efficiency!

Step 2: Understanding the COP value - How efficiency efficiently reduces your costs

The COP (coefficient of performance) is the most important key figure for efficiency. It indicates how much heat the heat pump generates from 1 kW of electricity. A COP of 16 means: You pay 1 kW of electricity and get 16 kW of heat for free.

Step 3: The volume (dB) - For peace and quiet in the garden

Nothing disturbs relaxation by the pool more than a loud humming sound. Thanks to inverter technology, this is history. The volume is indicated in decibels (dB), often from a distance of 1m and 10m.

• On/off pumps operate constantly at 50-65 dB(A) at 1m. This is as loud as a normal conversation or a vacuum cleaner.
• Full inverter heat pumps often run in maintenance mode at less than 40 dB(A) at 1m - that is quieter than a refrigerator. From a distance of 10m, they are barely perceptible at less than 25 dB(A).

Installation in detail: how to do it right

A clean and well thought-out installation is the basis for efficient, quiet and, above all, long-lasting operation of your new Full Inverter heat pump. There are just a few crucial points that make the difference between a good and a perfect installation. We'll show you what's important.

The perfect location: more than just a footprint

The installation location is crucial for the volume and efficiency of the appliance. Take a moment to find the ideal position, because once a heat pump has been installed, it is not easy to move it.

• A firm foundation: The heat pump must be placed on a firm, level surface (e.g. concrete slabs, strip foundation). This prevents vibrations, which are transmitted as noise, and subsequent sinking into the ground. Never place it directly on the lawn.
• Free air circulation: The appliance is an "air guzzler" and needs plenty of fresh air to work efficiently. Never place it in a closed room or shed. Keep at least 50 cm away from walls behind the appliance and provide at least 3 meters of free space in the direction of the cold air outlet.
• Minimize noise pollution: Avoid installing directly under a bedroom window or in a corner where sound can be trapped and amplified. Do not point the air outlet directly at your terrace or the neighbor's property. Also bear in mind that sound is reflected. This can be annoying for you, but also for your neighbor.

The be-all and end-all: installation with a bypass set

We can't emphasize it enough: A bypass is not an option, it's a must! This simple component consisting of three ball valves is the key to controlling and maintaining your system and allows you to do two crucial things:

1. Precise regulation of the flow rate: every heat pump has an optimum water flow rate at which it works most efficiently. With the bypass, you can adjust this precisely to get the maximum heat output from every watt of electricity.
2. Easy maintenance and winterizing: You can completely disconnect the heat pump from the water circuit without having to empty the entire system. This is worth its weight in gold when you are winterizing the appliance or when maintenance is due.

Incidentally, the heat pump is always integrated into the circuit after the filter system and before any dosing station (for chlorine/pH).

The right pipework: details that count

Connection to the water circuit is straightforward with the right material. Pay attention to the following points to avoid heat loss and create a clean connection.

• Suitable connections: The connection is usually made using standardized 50mm PVC-U adhesive sockets. Adapters for 32mm or 38mm hoses are also easy to bond for standard above-ground pools.
• Professional insulation tip: Insulate the water pipes to and from the heat pump with suitable insulation material. This costs little, but prevents noticeable heat loss on the way to the pool and thus increases the overall efficiency of the system. You can find suitable insulation material in specialized stores.

The electrical connection: safety first

There are no compromises here. Improper electrical installation is not only life-threatening, but also immediately voids any warranty claims.

• Separate electrical circuit: The heat pump requires its own, separately fused electrical circuit that is designed for the corresponding output.
• Obligation for the electrician: The electrical connection may only be carried out by a certified specialist electrical company! This is the only way to ensure your safety and that of your family.

Costs & efficiency: How much does a Full Inverter heat pump cost to run?

Of course, the impressive technology and high efficiency are one thing. But for you as a pool owner, there are two main questions that ultimately count: How quickly will my pool finally heat up, and how much will all this fun cost me on my electricity bill? We break down the abstract figures for you into concrete, understandable examples so that you get a realistic idea of the heating time and operating costs.

How quickly does the pump heat up?

A rough rule of thumb is: For every 1 °C increase in temperature, you can expect a heating time of approx. 4 hours. This formula provides a more precise calculation:

Water volume in m³ / heat output of the heat pump in kW = hours for 1°C increase in temperature

Example: A 40 m³ pool with a 13 kW heat pump: 40 / 13 = approx. 3 hours for 1°C.

What does this cost in electricity?

Let's take a 30 m³ pool that is used for 5 months (150 days) a year. To maintain the temperature, the heat pump needs about 50 kWh of heat energy per day.

• Classic on/off pump (assumption COP 5): Electricity required = 50 kWh / 5 = 10 kWh per day.
• Total: 150 days * 10 kWh = 1,500 kWh. At 38 cents/kWh, this is 570 € per season.
• Full inverter pump (assuming COP 10 on average): Electricity required = 50 kWh / 10 = 5 kWh per day.
• Total: 150 days * 5 kWh = 750 kWh. At 38 cents/kWh, this is 285 € per season.

The saving here is almost 300 € in just one season! The higher purchase costs for an inverter heat pump therefore pay for themselves after just a few years.

Our service promise: More than just an online store

Sure, there are suppliers who advertise expensive installation services. But this service is often added to the product price. At Verkauf-Bochum.de, we believe in expertise and honest support that empowers you instead of making you dependent.

• Expert advice: With us, you don't talk to call center agents. Our team consists of experts who are familiar with the technology and can really help you over the phone or by email.
• Remote support: Are you planning your project? We'll help you with the configuration. Does your local installer have a question about the installation? We can provide remote support. We won't leave you on your own.
• Fair prices: Because we don't have an expensive field service, we can offer you state-of-the-art technology at prices that the competition can't match. We pass this price advantage directly on to you.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about inverter heat pumps for pools