Do pool heat pumps work in winter?

One of the most common questions about pool heating is whether a heat pump still works in winter. The short answer is yes. A heat pump draws its warmth from the air rather than the sun, so it keeps heating your pool through the cooler months when other options fall away.

Why a heat pump keeps working in the cold

Even on a cold day there is warmth in the air and a heat pump is built to draw on it. A fan pulls that air across the unit, the refrigerant absorbs the warmth, then a heat exchanger passes it into your water. Unlike solar heating, it does not need direct sun, so a grey Melbourne winter's day is no barrier to a warm pool.

What changes in cold weather

The colder the air, the less warmth there is to draw on, so the unit works a little harder and efficiency eases. This shows up in the COP, which measures how much heat you get for each unit of electricity. On a mild day the COP is at its highest and it comes down as the air cools. The unit still heats your pool, it simply uses a little more power to do it. When you compare units, ask for the COP at a realistic winter temperature rather than the warm test conditions most brands quote. What is COP? explains how to compare figures fairly.

Heat pump vs solar in winter

Solar only heats when the sun is out. On short, cool or cloudy winter days there is little heat to collect, so a solar heated pool cools down. A heat pump keeps working because it draws warmth from the air, not direct sun. Read solar pool heating vs heat pump for the full comparison, or how to heat a swimming pool for every option.

Getting year-round performance

If you want to swim across the whole year, not just in summer, it is worth choosing a unit with a little headroom so it heats comfortably in the coldest months. Our guide to what size heat pump you need covers this. The CHR AstroMax range is built for year-round performance and runs on standard single-phase power, so it keeps your pool and spa warm through a Melbourne winter.

The 35kW H35 Turbo is Australia's most powerful single phase heat pump and suits pools up to 60,000L, so even a large pool can be heated through winter without a three phase supply.

Tips for a warm pool all winter

• Use a pool blanket. It holds the heat in overnight, which matters most on cold nights.
• Hold the temperature. Keeping the pool warm uses less energy than reheating it from cold each time.
• Schedule it from your phone. Every CHR AstroMax has Wi-Fi control, so you can set and schedule heating from the app.
• Keep the airflow clear. The unit draws its heat from the air, so keep leaves and stored items away from it. Pool heat pump installation and placement covers clearances.

Backed through every season

Every AstroMax is backed by a 5 year parts, 15 year compressor and 25 year heat exchanger warranty, plus a 48 hour on-site service guarantee, so you are not left with a cold pool waiting on a service call.

Common questions

Will a heat pump heat my pool in a Melbourne winter?

Yes. A heat pump draws warmth from the air rather than the sun, so it keeps heating on cold and grey days.

Does a heat pump cost more to run in winter?

A little. The unit works harder when the air is colder, so it uses more power. Read are pool heat pumps expensive to run?

Should I cover my pool in winter?

Yes. A cover holds the heat in overnight, so the heat pump has less to make up the next day.

Want a hand choosing a unit for year-round use? Get in touch with our team.