Can a Heat Pump be sheltered? Air Circ question.

[FrankfromPG]

Hello all, long-time lurker posting for the first time here.

Short version: Can I put a heat pump inside a shed without any problems?

Long version: I live in northern British Columbia and am planning on replacing my old and ailing gas heater/leaky solar panel combination with a heat pump. It makes economic sense, since we have low electricity prices and continually climbing gas prices. My question is this: once I take the gas heater out of my fully enclosed pool shed, can I install the heat pump in there, in its place? It is an 8'X10'X10' space and the pump unit could easily have 18" around it on all sides. The shed had to be ventilated for the gas heater operation anyway, so it isn't air tight by any stretch. Then I could have it sitting right beside my filter and keep things all contained and protected all year round - particularly the 7 months when the weather is too cold.

Thanks in advance,

 

[ajw22]

The heat pump converts heat in the air to heat the pool water. Heat pump efficiency is greatest when the air temperature is high. Shading the heat pump in a cool shed will reduce its efficiency.

Heat Pump Performance

• ajw22
• Feb 23, 2019

Pentair Ultratemp Heat Pump BTU Output by OAT

 

[FrankfromPG]

The heat pump converts heat in the air to heat the pool water. Heat pump efficiency is greatest when the air temperature is high. Shading the heat pump in a cool shed will reduce its efficiency.

AJW22, that information might actually work IN my favour. In early May, the air temperature can often be cooler outside of the shed than inside the sheltered shed - ambient temp of 10-15C (50-60F) unless the sun is shining directly onto the heat pump unit... I might actually be better off with the unit in the shed. hmmm.

 

[ajw22]

AJW22, that information might actually work IN my favour. In early May, the air temperature can often be cooler outside of the shed than inside the sheltered shed - ambient temp of 10-15C (50-60F) unless the sun is shining directly onto the heat pump unit... I might actually be better off with the unit in the shed. hmmm.

Maybe, but the HP is a reverse air conditioner. It takes heat from its surroundings and exhausts cold air. Without the suns warmth renewing the heat in the shed it may rapidly drop the temperature in the shed and become ineffective.

 

[Donldson]

You say the shed is warmer, but if you put a heat pump in there it will easily get down in to the single digits (C) after a few minutes of running. The unit blows huge amounts of ice cold air out of the compressor, you could quickly encounter a situation where the heat exchanging fins actually start to accumulate ice.

Put the compressor outdoors like it is supposed to be.

 

[FrankfromPG]

Thanks for the lesson, guys. I guess I was hoping that I could build a hood or something to channel the cold air up and out of the space. I don't think I understood just how much air was circulated through...