Can a Ground Source Heat Pump Heat a Swimming Pool?
Ground Source Heat Pumps
(GSHP) are an environmentally friendly and economical way to heat indoor and
outdoor swimming pools on both domestic and commercial scales.
Our systems are highly
customizable, so they are designed to match the heat load required by your
swimming pool and any other facility or building you want to supply heat and
hot water to as well.
How does a ground source heat pump work?
A ground source heat pump
uses thermal energy captured from the ground, which is then used to heat water,
warming your home or swimming pool. To transfer heat from the ground below your
garden, underground pipes are arranged in horizontal arrays or deep vertical
boreholes. These pipes circulate the circulating water and antifreeze solution,
harvesting energy from the ground and delivering it to the compressor, which
raises the temperature to a usable ambient temperature.
How efficient is a ground source heat pump?
Ground source heat pumps are
the most efficient heating systems available, with well-performing heat pumps
producing around 4kW of heat energy per 1kW of electricity - 400% efficiency
compared to 90% for modern gas boilers.
Our heat pump systems are
also compatible with variable electricity rates, such as those offered by
Octopus Energy and Bulb, which generate 100% renewable electricity, making your
system completely pollution-free and carbon-free. These tariffs are integrated
through a ground source heat pump and create a smart, automated heating system
that optimizes the use of electricity at a lower cost, while continuing to
provide power that you can easily set and change via a smartphone app Preferred
temperature and heating schedule. This is an excellent solution for heating
your swimming pool as it will greatly reduce your monthly utility bills.
What is the lifespan of a
swimming pool? What is the lifespan of a heat pump?
A commercial ground source
heat pump can last 25 years—10 years longer than a fired boiler—while the most
expensive component of a ground source heat pump installation, the ground heat
exchanger, should last more than 100 years.
This is great peace of mind
for those who want an efficient and long-lasting heating system for their
swimming pool. Geothermal systems have a longer lifespan than other HVAC
systems, but they are not immune to the natural wear and tear of time.
What other renewable
technologies can help heat swimming pools?
Heating swimming pools is
not limited to ground source heat pumps, you can also use air source heat
pumps. These are quick and easy to install, and can be connected to a
filtration system to heat clean water as it flows back into the pool.
You can also use solar
thermal as a free system for a ground source heat pump to generate heat for
your swimming pool. The two systems work in harmony, with solar thermal
directing up to 80% of the thermal energy used to heat the pool, while the heat
pump supplements the remaining heat needed. If a solar thermal system produces
more heat than is immediately needed, we can design a system to store the heat
produced underground so you can maximize efficiency and use renewable, clean
and free energy, further reducing your running costs.
Does the heat pump have
enough heating capacity to heat the swimming pool?
Geothermal heat pumps are a
very green and cost-effective alternative to electric and fuel heating systems,
but they don't heat up as fast as other heat pumps.
It takes about 1 to 3 days
to heat the pool to 11 degrees Celsius (20 degrees Fahrenheit). It can take at
least an hour to heat a spa for the same temperature increase. So, the more
water you heat, the more time you need. You can do better with a larger
capacity pump. The heating capacity of a ground source heat pump depends on
several factors:
1. Temperature
2. Pump size
3. The size of the water
body to be heated
4. Required heating capacity
5. Presence of insulation
systems such as solar blankets
Can a ground source heat
pump heat a large commercial swimming pool?
Commercial swimming pool
projects can benefit greatly from ground source heat pumps. Ground loops have a
lifespan of over 100 years, while heat pumps themselves tend to have an average
lifespan of over 20 years.
With a heat pump, you can
use a public or private swimming pool to provide your business with green
credentials, reduced operating costs, and a system that lasts for years with
little to no maintenance. The initial capital costs can be much higher, but
they are reasonable due to the long lifespan of geothermal heat pumps.
Frequently Asked Questions
about Using Ground Source Heat Pumps for Swimming Pools
1 What temperature can a
swimming pool be heated to?
We can customize the system
to meet your preferred temperature. Most pools are kept between 26°C and 28°C,
but we have heated the pool to 35°C.
2. Do I need a room for a
ground source heating system?
You need a machine room for
the pool. This will also house other necessary equipment to operate your pool.