How to Calculate What Size Heat Pump to Use for Swimming Pools
Heat pumps allow pool water to stay warm and pleasant, even on days when the weather is not so nice. It can be difficult, however, to determine which size of heat pump is right for your pool. If the pump is too small, it will be ineffective, costing you additional money on your utility bill with little noticeable effect. Luckily, you can calculate the proper size heat pump your pool requires with a little measuring and some quick calculation. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Decide how warm you want your pool water to be. Most people prefer a temperature in the high 70s or low 80s (Fahrenheit), but your individual taste may vary.
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2
Determine the average temperature during the coldest month you wish to use the pool. You can usually do a quick estimation based on your own experiences, but if you want formal numbers, check the National Weather Service for average temperatures in your area.
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3
Subtract the ideal temperature of the pool water from the average outside monthly temperature. The result is the number of degrees Fahrenheit your heater will need to warm the pool in order to make it comfortable.
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4
Calculate the surface area of your pool. If you have a rectangular pool, this is easy: simply multiply the pool's length by its width. If your pool has a more unusual shape, apply the formula provided at PoolBright.com (see Resources, below).
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5
Multiply the surface area from Step 4 by the required elevation in pool temperature from Step 3. Then multiply the results by 11. That figure is the number of British Thermal Units per hour (btu/hr.) your heater will need to produce in order to adequately heat your pool.
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Tips & Warnings
Once you have determined the proper heater size, consider getting one that is larger than you need. It will heat the pool more efficiently, and place less strain on the mechanism while doing so. This means that you can go longer before having to repair or replace it. Most pool heaters have efficiency ratings, which you should pay attention to when purchasing one. For example, if a heater provides 180,000 btu and its efficiency rating is 80 percent, it will only effectively provide 144,000 btu (180,000 times .8) worth of heat.
This formula assumes that your pool is shielded from the wind (i.e., the wind blows an average of less than 3 mph around the pool), and that the temperature doesn't drop excessively at night (the way it does in deserts and similar locales). If you live in a windy spot or there are extreme temperature shifts in your area, you will require a larger heater.
