Heat pump in a new pool in Northern Virginia

[mikelemp]

[FONT=&quot]Hi All, I am in the process of installing a 16x32 gunite pool in the Northern Virginia area. The gunite was shot already and the coping is being installed tomorrow. I was evaluating a gas heater vs electric heat pump. The plumbing estimates to run the gas line are way too expensive and I would also have to increase my gas meter size. This work would cost me $3500 plus the cost of the heater ($2800). This seems astronomical. I have started to look into a heat pump. My electric panel is in the basement very close to the location for the future heater so the electrical work/costs should be minimal. I understand that heat pumps take much longer to heat the pool versus gas heaters. I am mainly interested in using the heat pump to extend the season by 2-3 weeks on both ends of the season. We are installing an auto safety cover on the pool and we gut full sun. I am just looking for advice/input regarding heat pumps in this climate before I make a final decision.

Thanks![/FONT]
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[PoolGate]

My neighbor loves his heat pump and it easily maintains 90 all season long. It does not do well extending the season and he always closes around Labor Day. It is also cheap to run he said under $50/month in electric. Heat pumps get exponentially less efficient the colder it gets. When I was getting a pool we looked at both and the costs were near identical taking into account the higher price of the heat pump vs running a gas line. We went with gas and are very happy we can heat the pool from 70 to 90 in a day. Our gas heater costs @$4.50/hour to run. I wish we could have afforded both!

This year, realistically we got 1 extra swim in after Labor Day. No matter that the water was 90, when the air temp is really cold it is not fun to swim. Not to mention you can see dollar signs coming off the water when the temps are cold. I'd say go with the heat pump now but plumb/electrify to be able to add a gas heater down the road if you change your mind later.

 

[mikelemp]

Thanks for the info! Where do you live? I know climate and outside temps play a big role.





QUOTE=PoolGate;1551459]My neighbor loves his heat pump and it easily maintains 90 all season long. It does not do well extending the season and he always closes around Labor Day. It is also cheap to run he said under $50/month in electric. Heat pumps get exponentially less efficient the colder it gets. When I was getting a pool we looked at both and the costs were near identical taking into account the higher price of the heat pump vs running a gas line. We went with gas and are very happy we can heat the pool from 70 to 90 in a day. Our gas heater costs @$4.50/hour to run. I wish we could have afforded both!

This year, realistically we got 1 extra swim in after Labor Day. No matter that the water was 90, when the air temp is really cold it is not fun to swim. Not to mention you can see dollar signs coming off the water when the temps are cold. I'd say go with the heat pump now but plumb/electrify to be able to add a gas heater down the road if you change your mind later.[/QUOTE]

 

[PoolGate]

Thanks for the info! Where do you live? I know climate and outside temps play a big role.





QUOTE=PoolGate;1551459]My neighbor loves his heat pump and it easily maintains 90 all season long. It does not do well extending the season and he always closes around Labor Day. It is also cheap to run he said under $50/month in electric. Heat pumps get exponentially less efficient the colder it gets. When I was getting a pool we looked at both and the costs were near identical taking into account the higher price of the heat pump vs running a gas line. We went with gas and are very happy we can heat the pool from 70 to 90 in a day. Our gas heater costs @$4.50/hour to run. I wish we could have afforded both!

This year, realistically we got 1 extra swim in after Labor Day. No matter that the water was 90, when the air temp is really cold it is not fun to swim. Not to mention you can see dollar signs coming off the water when the temps are cold. I'd say go with the heat pump now but plumb/electrify to be able to add a gas heater down the road if you change your mind later.

[/QUOTE]

Damascus, MD! We are practically neighbors.

 

[bmoreswim]

I've been considering a heat pump (no gas service and propane is outrageous). I fully expect it would primarily be used to keep my water at 85+ from last week in May to first week in September. I also have an autocover so I can me somewhat confident about the dates. But that's not really season extension. Extension would only be if the weather is above average.

 

[Neemer]

I had a propane heater installed with the pool build and regret it. It’s prohibitively expensive to use. I used $100 of propane in one night raising the temp from 77 to 85. I doubt I’ll ever use it again.