Size, power and design
Pentair Water Pool and Spa, a manufacturer of heat pumps in Sanford, N.C., has also focused on efficiency by designing systems that generate more Btus with smaller footprints. For instance, the company’s newest UltraTemp heat pump models have smaller frames and provide just under 100,000 Btus, while the company’s most popular systems are its mid- to high-range Btu models, which generate between 110,000 to 120,000 Btus.
“Other than capacity differences, another key advantage to our heat pumps is our digital control board, which has a two-line readout with RS-485 (a digital communications network standard) communication hookup to our automation systems,” explains John Vasarhelyi, Pentair’s heat pump products manager. “All of our heat pumps offer this two-line communication cable attachment for easy integration with pool/spa controls.”
Another key feature of the company’s heat pump line is it warranty and service, he adds. “We offer a full two- or three-year warranty (depending on the model), along with a 10-year warranty on the compressor and lifetime warranty on the titanium heat exchanger,” says Vasarhelyi.
Another manufacturer that stands behind its heat pump product line is Nirvana Chauffe-Piscine Inc., in Grand Mere, Que. According to the company’s Michel Lesage, Nirvana offers a three-year warranty on parts and labour and five years on the compressor. Titanium coils have a 10-year limited warranty, while heater cabinets have a 15-year limited warranty.
Further, its heat pumps are designed with Canada’s northern climate in mind as their performance at low temperatures (Heating Season Performance Factor [HSPF]) provides a high co-efficient of performance (COP). For example, a COP of five will generate $5 worth of heat from $1 worth of electricity.
Nirvana also invested in research and development to find noise reduction solutions, resulting in a heat pump that produces less than 60 decibels. This was accomplished by using sound insulation on the compressor’s cover and a fan blade design that is more efficient and produces less noise.
Hayward Pool Products Canada, which manufactures the HeatPro line in Oakville, Ont., is another company that has focused on design and noise reduction. For instance, the HeatPro’s round base provides a compact footprint, which allows for easier installation, and makes them ideal for retrofit replacements. The heater is available in 65,000, 85,000, 110,000 and 140,000 Btu models, each measuring only 794 mm (31.25 in.) wide and 1,016 mm (40 in.) tall.
The line also uses noise-reduction technology, such as a profiled fan blade design for improved airflow and quiet operation, while an acoustic compressor cover further reduces sound levels.
Cold climate operation
In some climates, depending on the outside temperature and humidity levels, frost can form on the outside of the coil—during heat pump operation—and interfere with the unit’s ability to generate and transfer heat. As such, most heat pumps available today offer an automated defrost cycle, which melts any ice formation to ensure the heat pump operates efficiently.
According to Simon Nadeau, CEO of Waterco Canada, which manufactures the ‘Geyser’ and ‘Aquaflow’ heat pumps in St. Hyacinthe, Que., the company has offered units with this feature for the last decade on its high-end models; however, it is now a standard feature on all of the company’s heat pump products.
“The defrost feature works automatically,” explains Nadeau. “During this cycle, the fan and compressor stop and start again in reverse cycle to push the hot refrigerant through the evaporator to melt the frost. Then, the compressor stops to allow the system to dry and reverts back to its normal operation. This cycle takes no more than five minutes to complete.
“This feature allows pool owners to heat their pool water during lower ambient air temperatures, as well as minimize heat loss from the pool by minimizing heater downtime.”
Another feature that sets Waterco’s heat pump line apart from others on the market is their heat exchanger. According to Nadeau, its compact design, internal water circulation guide, which is compatible with chlorine generators and increased water turbulence and velocity, provides improved thermal exchange and energetic yield.
