Heat Pump Performance in Low Humidity Environment

[ppierce2nm]

Feedback/thoughts requested---

Met with our potential pool builder yesterday evening. We are considering installing a heat pump or the new Pentair hybrid heat pump/gas heater. We live in southern New Mexico, about 50 miles north of El Paso, Texas. He said that heat pumps do not work well in low humidity environments such as ours. A quote from our local university: [FONT=&quot]Relative humidity ranges from an average of near 65 percent about sunrise to near 30 percent in midafternoon; however, afternoon humidities in warmer months are often less than 20 percent and occasionally may go as low as 4 percent. The low relative humidities during periods of extreme temperatures ease the effect of summer and winter temperature.

So we are wondering, would a heat pump work efficiently for us?[/FONT]

 

[sktn77a]

Not sure why your pool guy would say that (other than he doesn't like installing heatpumps, for some reason). Heatpumps work great in warm, dry climates (I take it you are talking about heating your pool). Where they can have problems is in humid climates where the humid air condenses and may freeze on your condenser coil (especially if the refrigerant charge gets low). I'd do more reaearch on this before you dismiss it as an option.

 

[JamesW]

Will a Swimming Pool Heat Pump Work in Dry Climate? - AquaCal Blog

Check with a manufacturer of heat pumps to see if your climate will work with a heat pump.

Efficiency is reduced in dry climates because the water vapor carries heat that is transferred to the heat pump as water condenses.

It's the reverse of cooling when water evaporates, like when you sweat.

 

[scdaren]

Feedback/thoughts requested---

Met with our potential pool builder yesterday evening. We are considering installing a heat pump or the new Pentair hybrid heat pump/gas heater. We live in southern New Mexico, about 50 miles north of El Paso, Texas. He said that heat pumps do not work well in low humidity environments such as ours. A quote from our local university: Relative humidity ranges from an average of near 65 percent about sunrise to near 30 percent in midafternoon; however, afternoon humidities in warmer months are often less than 20 percent and occasionally may go as low as 4 percent. The low relative humidities during periods of extreme temperatures ease the effect of summer and winter temperature.

So we are wondering, would a heat pump work efficiently for us?

I believe you'll just lose a little on the efficiency. Also, keep in mind that during those warmer months when the humidity really plummets, your water temperature will be plenty warm enough, without the use of the heat pump. The heat pump is really just for the beginning and end of the season, when the days get a little shorter, and the highs drop into the 80s.

Also -- it's a hybrid! You can use the gas option when conditions are not great for the heat pump.

 

[ppierce2nm]

We will be using the pool indoors iwth a cover-we are building an enclosed patio and the pool will be about 10 x 20 feet. We are planning to cover it. Not sure if this will make a difference on whether the heat pump will work more efficiently or not?