Pool Heat Pump FAQ’s

How do our heat pumps compare with others?

With over 30 years of heat pump heater design experience, our heat pumps are built to outperform the competition. Advanced micro-computer technology and exclusive design features result in 25% more heating performance than other leading heat pumps. Unlike most other heat pump heaters, which use off-the-shelf components, ours uses components specifically designed for optimum performance. This means higher efficiency and lower operating costs than competitive heat pumps. All of our heat pump heaters are equipped with a Turboguard heat exchanger for long life and high performance. In addition, with its unique micro-computer technology, our heat pumps operate most cost-effectively throughout the full range of operating conditions, significantly outperforming the competition in the critical 40-60 degree air temperature range.

The turbo titanium heat exchanger is specifically designed to be used in our heat pump heaters. The name reflects (2) key aspects of the heat exchanger’s design. “Turbo” reflects the enhanced surface turbo action of the water and freon in the heat exchanger and the nature of the fusion blended alloy material used to guard against or prevent corrosion of the heat exchanger.

What is enhanced surface tubing?
Enhanced surface tubing is a twisted tube as opposed to standard round tube. It has two major advantages over standard round tube as follows:

• 3-4 times the surface area over a given length versus standard round tube (more surface area equals more heat transfer and a more compact design). More heat transfer equals more efficiency which equals lower operating costs for the owner.
• Turbulating action of the water as it swirls around the twisted tube (water simply passes over round tube in a straight line). The turbulating action of the water increases heat transfer and acts as a self cleaning mechanism, eliminating scale and corrosion on the surface of the tube. The net result is significantly lower operating costs.

Titanium Advantages

• Designed and developed for the best performance and highest efficiency in the industry
• Enhanced surface tubing design
• Long lasting with an exclusive heat exchanger warranty to back it up
• Better than copper…all the benefits without the negatives associated with copper
• The next generation of heat exchangers

24 hour auto heat is a feature that efficiently maintains your desired temperature 24 hours a day. It eliminates the need for an old time clock, replacing it with its own integrated filter/pump controller. The system divides your programmed filter pump run time into six (6) equal periods, this allows the Hydro Royal heat pump to sample the water temperature and add heat if needed keeping your desired water temperature precisely where you want it.

Do I need a pool cover?

A Solar Pool Cover is recommended for all heating systems. Heating a pool without a cover is like heating a house without a roof…the heat just goes right out the top. Without a pool cover, the cost of operating a Heat Pump or Gas Heater is doubled, and a Solar Heater’s effectiveness is dramatically decreased. For convenience a roller may be added to ease placement and removal of the cover. If a pool cover is not being used, the size of the heater may need to be increased. Custom cut pool covers range in cost from $250 to $375 for residential pools.

How does ice form on a heat pump?

In order to explain how ice forms on a heat pump, we first need to clarify two points of a heat pump’s operation:

1. When a heat pump operates, the evaporator coil constantly rises and drops in temperature as the refrigerant inside it collects and releases heat. When it falls in temperature, condensation forms on it. In fact, a heat pump can typically produce two to three gallons of condensate water per hour of operation.
2. When air flows through a heat pump, it passes over the evaporator coil and drops in temperature by 9° to 18°F (5° to 10°C) as its heat is collected by the evaporator coil’s refrigerant. So, when air below 50°F (10°C) passes through your heat pump, it can cool to below 32°F (0°C) and freeze the condensated water on the evaporator coil.

How can I prevent ice from damaging my heat pump?

Ice buildup can block airflow to your heat pump, which can result in damage to its internal components. You should therefore take all steps necessary to prevent ice from collecting on your heat pump. Most heat pumps are designed to automatically shut off when the air temperature falls below 50°F (10°C) and to start again when the air temperature rises back above 50°F (10°C). Newer heat and cool units have built in defrosting systems that automatically activate when the units begin to ice up, thus allowing the units to continue to heat at a lower ambient air temperature. Heat only heat pumps are not equipped with an automatic shut off/ defrost feature and need to be manually disabled.

Furthermore, heat pumps are most likely to develop ice during the coldest parts of the day. Therefore you should avoid running your heat pump late at night and early in the morning, especially during winter months.