Apart from Solar heating, a Heat Pump is the cheapest and therefore the most environmentally friendly form of heating for swimming pools. This is because no heating element is used. The electrical power is used only to run a fan and a compressor. This uses far less electricity to produce heat than an electric heater and is cheaper to run than Gas, electric or Oil boilers.

Generally, from May to September, which is when most of us use the pool, is the most efficient time. They do require a minimum air temperature of about 15ºC. Other conditions, such as wind, shade, and location, will also affect the shut off temperature of the unit.
Other forms of heating can be used in conjunction as a back up, during the winter months, if required.
They are generally an outdoor product, as fresh air is constantly required, however, the RA range with the circulation fan mounted on the side, can be adapted for indoor use, under certain conditions.
Heat pumps can be used for both, above ground and in ground pools, providing the minimum water flow is provided by the pump. i.e. 1320 Gals per hour.
| DPL heat pumps have a
Titanium heat exchanger as standard that is lifetime guaranteed,
regardless of water balance, and has a life expectancy of up to three
times longer than a conventional copper type. The Titanium exchanger is bullet-proof
to Chlorine, Bromine and other chemicals used in swimming pools.
The ABS plastic case will not rust, unlike the steel cabinets used in other makes. Compression system has a 5 year guarantee, electrical components 5 year guarantee, labour 1 year.
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| Quieter running than many
other makes.
The DPL range offers the best value for money in their class.
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RA Deluxe 14KW & 29KW (29 has two fans) |
RA Mark 1 - 9KW |
| Pool Size (in Feet) | ||||
| Length | Width | Gals Approx | Min Size Heater | Optimum Size Heater |
| 24 | 12 | 8550 | 9 | 14 |
| 26 | 13 | 10034 | 9 | 14 |
| 28 | 14 | 11638 | 14 | 14 |
| 30 | 14 | 12469 | 14 | 29 |
| 30 | 15 | 13359 | 14 | 29 |
| 32 | 16 | 15200 | 29 | 29 |
| 36 | 18 | 19238 | 29 | 29 |
| 40 | 20 | 23750 | 29 | 29 |
| RA Range Mark 1 | 9KW 30,000 BTU | £1425 |
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| RA Deluxe Range | 14KW 50,000 BTU | £2148 |
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| RA Deluxe Range | 29KW 100,000 BTU | £3595 |
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| RA Through Wall Ducting Kit | ||||
| 9-14KW | £190 |
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| 29KW | £240 | |||
We
have only been supplying the DPL range of heat pumps for the 2008
season, but we have already decided to promote this amazing Canadian product
above all other makes. The feedback that we are getting from our customers who
are using them is excellent, they cannot believe the power that the pump
produces at such a small cost, and with the brilliant build quality and
nationwide service support that has been set up, the confidence in the brand is
growing with every sale.
Here are some of the benefits at a glance...
All
the pumps are fully refrigerant and water tested before dispatch
Nationwide
support and helpline available
5
year warrantee on all parts
Reverse
cycle defrost operation
Isolates
internal electrical compartment to protect from weather
Self
diagnoses control panel monitors all functions
Titanium
heat exchanger with lifetime warrantee regardless of chemical balance.
Energy
efficient and quiet
Operates
down to 0 degrees (but we recommend minimum 15 degs)
COP
= 5.25 (at 15 degrees ambient air temperature)
Suitable
for above or inground pools (subject to flow rate).
5
year Compressor warrantee
5
year parts warrantee
1
year labour warrantee
Lifetime
heat exchanger warrantee
Heat
pumps are a super efficient way to heat a swimming pool. It makes full use
of advanced refrigeration technology to capture the heat from the outside air
and transfer it to the water, rather like an air conditioner working in reverse!
Air conditioners extract the cool air from ambient air, and expel waste heat,
and heat pumps using liquid refrigerant and compressors to extract the warm air
and expel cold air, using the extracted heat to warm the water via the Titanium
heat exchanger.
Heat
pumps don’t have a simple efficiency number to work with. Their efficiency is
measured by Co efficiency of performance (COP). DPL’s COP average is
5.25 across the range. This means that for every unit of electricity that you
put in to run the compressor, you get approximately 5.25 units of heat from the
heat pump. Not only reducing the running cost of the pool, but helping the
environment by minimising the energy used and therefore your carbon footprint.
Don’t
be misguides by COP claims of rival makes who often use an ambient temperature
of 25 degrees, which is unrealistic at the beginning and end of the season.
Although
highly reliable, DPL heat pumps like any appliance, my require service
or repairs during their lifetime. Up to now, pool dealers have been reliant on
their own engineers or outsource refrigerant experts to deal with repairs,
However the main distributors of DPL, have in place a nationwide network
of expert independent refrigeration engineers. Repairs this year are averaging
between 3-7 working days.
Swimming
pool heat pumps are normally an outdoor product, as they require a continuous
supply of ambient air, and the exhausted air has to be outside to prevent the
pump recirculating it’s own cool air. The DPL Ra range can be used in
a shed or pump house using the “through wall” ducting kit, enabling the air
to be vented outdoors, and by either leaving the shed doors open or changing to
a louvered type, fresh air is available to the fan.
All
heat pumps have one thing in common. They all require the swimming pool water to
pass through a heat exchanger. The chemicals in pool water, including Chlorine,
bromine and acids, can be extremely corrosive if the owner lets the pool
chemistry get out of balance for whatever reason. Should the heat exchanger
become corroded, it would need to be replaced at a considerable cost!
DPL who fit Titanium heat exchangers as standard, are so confident about
their reliability and longevity, that they offer them a lifetime warrantee
regardless of the chemical imbalance!!
Although
DPL swimming pool heat pumps are amongst the quietest we have come
across, they do have a fan and compressor running. How can we describe to you in
words the noise level? The
specification is 52-62db(A) In most cases the pool pump itself makes a noise
about the same as the heat pump or as a comparison 50db is about the noise level
in a quiet office or traffic 30mtrs away,
60db
would be about the same as conversation at 1mtr.
If
it is to be installed close to the house or where it may cause disturbance to
neighbours, consider the RA model and a ducting kit inside the shed or pump
room.
Solar
covers are essential for any heating system and heat pumps are no exception.
Without them your heat will simply be lost to the outside air, and valuable free
heat from the sun (outdoor pools), will be wasted. In extreme cases, the pool
may never get to the desired temperature if the losses exceed the heat gain, not
just with heat pumps, this applies to any type of pool heating. A solar cover
should be on the pool at all times that the pool is not in use. A solar cover
can cut heat loss by about 40/50% and increase the pool water temperature by
several degrees!
They
will operate down to 0 degrees C but with minimal heat output. Therefore we
recommend a minimum operating temperature of 15C. Other conditions such as wind,
shade and physical location will affect the shut off temperature on the unit.
Unless
the has a leak in the refrigerant system, the factory gas charge should last for
the life of the unit. R407 refrigerant is very stable and should not degrade or
breakdown even under severe operating conditions.
Normally,
the pool pump and heat pump are installed close together and within 25 feet of
the pool. A longer distance will result in heat loos from the piping. Since
normally most of the piping is buried, the heat loss is minimal for runs up to
50 feet unless the ground is wet or water table is high.
Yes.
The RA range can be adapted to cool the water, a modification charge is applied
(POA) before delivery. Please allow 4/6 weeks for this service.
No.
Although the smaller units may draw less than 13A normal running, when a
compressor starts up, it draws a surge current which a13A plug cannot supply. A
qualified Electrician is required to hard wire connect the unit directly to your
supply, observing all electrical regulations including the new swimming pool
earth connection regulations. Each unit is supplied with an instruction booklet
including electrical requirements.
http://www.howardswimmingpools.co.uk (+44) 01344 873323