What is a heat pump?

A heat pump is an electrical heating equipment which can be used to heat a swimming pool. It is 4 x more efficient than a simple electrical heater.

A heat pump works via the principle of a fridge.
When a gas is compressed, the temperature will raise. When a gas expands, it will cool down.
In a heat pump, a gas is compressed and the swimming pool water is heated with the heat generated. Subsequently, the gas is de-compressed and the "cold" generated is released to the outside atmosphere.
Just the reverse of a fridge (where the inside cools down and the back side is heating up).

This way, the heat present in the air is transferred to the pool water. 80% of the heat is extracted from the air, 20% from electricity!

What is an electrical heater?

An electrical heater is an electric resistance that heats up when electricity flows through it. In this manner, water of a dishwasher or a swimming pool is heated directly.

How much electricity will I use to heat my pool?

For a 40 m3 swimming pool you need a heat pump of 220V - 8,5A nodig, while you will need a electrical heater of 220V - 28A . On average, for a swimming season starting on May 1st till September 30, you will use (in Belgium) 2200 kW with a heat pump, and 10000kW ith a electrical heater. This boils down to a cost (in Belgium) of 170 Ã 340â'¬ (night vs day) for a heat pump versus 800 Ã 1600â'¬ for a electrical heater.

For a smaller or larger pool, the cost is proportional.