Are pool heat pumps expensive to run?
A CHR 35kW heat pump costs around $1 per hour to run. Here is why a heat pump is the low-cost way to keep your pool warm.
Key Takeaways
- A CHR 35kW heat pump costs around $1 per hour to run, far less than heating the same pool with gas
- A heat pump is efficient because it moves heat rather than making it, returning up to 20 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity
- Once your pool is at temperature, the unit works less to hold it, which keeps ongoing running costs down
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.
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 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.
Keeping costs down
Set and schedule the unit from your phone so it heats for the times you actually swim, and let it hold rather than reheat from cold each time. Sizing the unit correctly helps too, since a unit matched to your pool reaches temperature without straining. See what size heat pump you need, or get in touch with our team.
Ready for year-round swimming?
Speak to our team about heating your pool. We'll help you choose the right unit for effortless, year-round comfort.