Heat Pump Feedback

[Riverhog14]

Hello TFP community,
I am looking for some feedback on Pool Heat Pumps. I am in Central Florida (Ocala) and am looking to extend pool season a bit - right now we only use pool about May through September, with a heat pump should be able to use it year long or if not at least 10 months out of the year.

My pool is only about 11,000 gallons. I'm looking for a heat pump in the 120,000 to 150,000 BTU range. I have been trying to research these different Heat Pumps on the market but can't get much feedback. Also, in comparing, it seems different companies are just stamping their brand on the same physical pool heat pump....

Any feedback on this ExtremepowerUS unit? Its by far the cheapest for the BTU's I can find. On Amazon, only $2,900.00. Also, it looks like the identical unit is being sold on PoolPartsToGo, branded as a Black and Decker. With their 15% off, $3,442.00. The same ExtremePowerUS Heat Pump is also being sold by Home Depot for $3,525.00. But I can't find ANY real good reviews on this unit. There is a hand full on Amazon and a hand full on Home Depot but otherwise there's not a lot on it...

Amazon.com

Energy-Saving BLACK + DECKER Pool & Spa Heat Pump 137,000 BTU to Heat 45,000 Gallons

Energy-Saving BLACK+DECKER Pool Heat Pump 137,000 BTU to Heat 45,000 Gallons Economical, energy-saving, and fast-acting, the BLACK+DECKER pool heat pump tops the market in craftsmanship and value. This model reduces costs by using an evaporation condenser built from corrosion-resistant titanium...

poolpartstogo.com

XtremepowerUS Pro 137,000 BTU In-Ground/Above Ground Swimming Pool and Spa Electric Heater Pump System 75212-H2 - The Home Depot

The XtremepowerUS 137,000 BTU Pool and Spa Heat Pump with built-in LED Control Interface lets you extend your swim season and provides a reliable and easy solution to heating your swimming pool or spa.

www.homedepot.com

Any other recommendations? My neighbor has a Gulf Stream Heat Pump he is very happy with. He got a 10 year warranty with it and its made in the USA, he's had it for about 2 years now no problems.

 

[jsygrls]

Here if Florida heat pumps are used on pools and for lots of homes. BUT, POOL HEAT PUMP INSTALLERS and home heat pump AC guys are not the same. Its very important that BEFORE you purchase a heat pump for your pool that your confident of heat pump installers/repairmen in your area will support the brand of HP that you purchase.

You may want to try these guys to see if they know of HP installers and repairmen in your area, they sell many different brands and and the phone and online support was excellent.
https://www. poolheatpumps.com/ ....FYI, I ended up purchasing a Gulfstream 115,000 BTU from them after my AquaCal died. I found them to be very helpful, Asa was the man I dealt with the most and he was great. I also like the fact that this unit had a 40 amp electrical requirement which I had existing.

 

[ajw22]

Heat pumps are a commodity. They use all off the shelf parts that are easily acquired. What is even easier is turning to a Chinese white label manufacturer who will put your branding on the heat pumps they manufacture.

All heat pumps do the same thing in the same way with basically the same parts. What may vary is the controls package.

As @jsygrls said check on the local availability of parts, service, and warranty support for any HP you buy. As many of the inexpensive ones come from companies that import and brand them and may not have any parts or service ability. Read the warranty as some require shipment of the defective product back to the company for warranty replacement. That is sort of difficult with a heat pump.

Of the ones you mentioned, B+D has entered the pool equipment business by branding various Chinese white label products. They seem to have a warranty support center that is responsive. But I have no idea how they would service a Heat Pump.

 

[Riverhog14]

After some research, I decided t o go with an AquaCal T135 Heat Pump. The company I purchased through, Florida Pool Heating, out of Coral Springs, FL, was excellent to work with. Family owned and operated for over 30 years.

The heat pump itself is made by a company called TropiCal, a manufacturer based out of St. Petersburg, FL. They service all of Florida, and my unit comes with a 7 year warranty.

The folks at Florida Pool Heating have been awesome to work with and I highly recommend anyone in the Sunshine State to bring your business to them! Even offered me a First Responder discount.

Best Professional Pool Heater Service | Florida Pool Heating

If your pool heater can't keep your swimming pool at a comfortable temperature, give us a call. We'll keep your pool heated all year long.

www.poolheat.com