Are pool heat pumps expensive to run?

Running cost is usually the first thing people want to know about a pool heat pump and it is a fair question. The good news is that a heat pump is the low-cost way to heat a pool. A CHR 35kW unit costs around $3 per day to run in summer.

The short answer

No. A heat pump moves heat from the air into your water rather than making it, so it uses a small amount of electricity to deliver a large amount of heat. The CHR AstroMax range has a COP of up to 20. The 35kW H35 Turbo runs at around $3 a day. That is far less than heating the same pool with gas.

Why a heat pump costs so little to run

A heat pump does not make heat, it moves it. It draws warmth from the air and transfers it into your water, so it uses a small amount of electricity to move a large amount of heat. The CHR AstroMax range returns up to 20 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity it uses. That is the whole reason it costs far less to run than gas heating, which burns fuel to make heat from scratch. What is COP? explains the figure in full.

What affects your running cost

A few things change what you pay:

• Efficiency, or COP. A higher COP means more heat per unit of electricity. Across the AstroMax range the COP runs from 16.0 to 20.0.
• The air temperature. The unit works a little harder in cold weather, so running cost is lowest in milder conditions.
• Your target temperature. Holding the pool a few degrees warmer takes more energy than a milder setting.
• Whether you are heating or holding. Reaching temperature from cold uses the most energy. Once there, the unit works less to hold it.
• The right size for your pool. A unit matched to your pool volume reaches temperature without straining.
• Heat lost overnight. An uncovered pool loses heat overnight, so the unit has more to make up the next day.

Running cost compared with gas and solar

Gas burns fuel to make heat, so it costs more to run and is charged on your gas tariff. Solar costs the least to run because the sun is free, but it only heats when the sun is out. A heat pump gives you a low running cost and warm water in any season. Read solar pool heating vs heat pump and how to heat a swimming pool for the full comparison.

How the AstroMax keeps running costs low

Every CHR AstroMax uses an inverter compressor, which adjusts its output to the heat the pool needs rather than running flat out. Every unit also has Wi-Fi control, so you can set and schedule the temperature from the app and only heat for the times you swim.

Keeping costs down

A few habits make a real difference:

• Set and schedule the unit from your phone so it heats for the times you actually swim.
• Let it hold the temperature rather than reheating from cold each time.
• Use a pool cover to hold the heat in overnight.
• Choose a unit sized to your pool, so it reaches temperature without straining.
• Give the unit clear space for airflow. Pool heat pump installation and placement explains why it matters.

See what size heat pump you need, or get in touch with our team.

Common questions

How much does a pool heat pump cost to run per day?

A CHR 35kW H35 Turbo runs at around $3 a day. Your cost depends on the air temperature, your target temperature and whether the unit is heating from cold or holding.

Is a heat pump cheaper to run than gas?

Yes. A heat pump moves heat rather than burning fuel to make it, so it costs far less to run than gas.

Does a heat pump cost more to run in winter?

A little. The unit works harder when the air is colder. Read do pool heat pumps work in winter?

How much does a pool heat pump cost to buy?

The CHR AstroMax range runs from $7,700 to $16,900 RRP. See how much does a pool heat pump cost?