Heat pump in Bay Area

[Mazius]

Hi everyone,

We are building a new pool and we are facing with the dilemma of what heater to install.

We are going to do a small pool: 20’ x 10’, with 4’x10’ area as tanning ledge/steps... so volume is something like 5,700 gallons.

We live in Novato, Marin County where temperatures are normally above 80 during May to October, with big drops at night down to 50s.

We plan on using a solar cover when the pool is not in use, definitely at night for sure.

We would like to use the pool during the warmer months: May to October. No plans on using it during the winter.

Our desired temperature would be 80F.

My question is: is a heat pump a good solution for heating our pool? If so, what size?

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Pentair has a Heat Pump Calculator to determine the appropriate size Heat Pump for your location. Pentair seems to do honest calculations based on the physics and efficiencies of each type of pump and energy source.

Raypak also has a Heat Pump Heater Sizing App.

To get the most accurate cost comparison you should change the default electric kwh, natural gas price, and propane price to actual prices in your area.

 

[MSchutzer]

In your area I would consider solar heating, especially if you plan on using a solar bubble cover. I’m in Redwood City on the other side of the Bay from you and I’ve been using solar for the pool since 1992. Depending on our springtime rain the pool will get into the 90’s typically mid April through the first couple of weeks into October. For June and July the solar is mostly off as just the sun on the cover will keep the pool in the low 90’s.

I put up the copper panels almost 30 years ago and they still work as good as when they were new. Every 5 years or so I repaint them to keep the them black, I’ve let them go a couple years too long so they are starting to turn a little green but they still work great.

If you have a spa you will want a secondary source of heat though.

Here’s a picture of my semi-green panels, time to paint them again...

 

[Mazius]

Thanks! I really appreciate the info, but we already have solar panels in the roof, so the solar heater is not a viable option for our house

I’m trying to see if a heat pump would work in our climate and what size should I go for. Based on some online calculators, for a small pool like mine say that 50,000BTU should be enough. However, I sent an email to Raypak and they said 140,000BTU was necessary, so I got very confused.

Any real life example would be greatly appreciated

 

[yad007]

Hello @Mazius , what did you end up deciding ? I'm looking into a heat pump solution as well.