Heat pump with autocover vs gas heater (+/- autocover)

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Derek P

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Jul 6, 2017
12
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Hey TFP,

We are installing a 20 x 40 IG vinyl liner pool next spring, and live about 45 west of Toronto, Canada. Our pool season is May-Oct at best. The plan is to have a SWG, variable pump and large sand filter (all Hayward).

My debate is the heating.
Right now we will have a 100amp panel to the garage (that will hold all the equipment). Unfortunately our gas meter is far away from the location where we want the equipment, which will cost likely 5k (maybe more) to run the line to the location of the gas heater. A heat pump will cost 1.5k-2k more than the 400,000 btu heater we would install.

So my question - is a heat pump with an autocover well suited for the southern Ontario climate? My wife isn't one to swim when it's cold, but I know it won't extend the season like a gas heater can. We have 3 young kids, so they won't be in the pool when it's really cool. How much do you really save with a heat pump, and the pool pump running most of the time? I've used the online calculators, but I take those with a grain of salt. I guess I'm looking for some real world experience (especially in colder climates). Will it burn out the pool pump a lot faster?

I'd like to save the 3-5k and put it towards an autocover. If it's a gas heater and I have to run the line, it makes it harder to afford. The 100amp will be run regardless, so there is little extra cost to install the heat pump.

Most of what I have read is that the gas heater is more suited for the cold climates we have. I've read the TFP forum topics on this, so I think I am leaning towards the gas heater, but wanted to check one last time.

any info/suggestions would be great.

thanks in advance for your help,

Derek
 
Hi Derek, and welcome.
So my question - is a heat pump with an autocover well suited for the southern Ontario climate?
Click to expand...

I am quite familiar with your climate as I lived in Toronto years ago. I feel the heat pump is not suited to your shoulder seasons in particular, or for that atter, even your cooler night temps. I hate to say it, but gas wins hands down for your location in my books. Also, your hydo rates have increased heavily of ate. M not sure the heat pump would even offer the operational savings people normally enjoy with them.

But there are additional considerations.

Automatic covers a beautiful notion, and believe me, I want one. But when I think about it in terms of maintenance (aluminum) in a salt water environment, in addition to its amortized lifespan versus season length, the cost for me outweighs the benefit (moreso because I have a heavily forested property and debris load would be an issue.

By comparison, Rockeys Reels makes an excellent, easy for 1 person to crank, soar reel that's guaranteed for 10 years and costs $500. Solar covers, the bubble type, are way better at insulation than the auto cover vinyl, though 70% of heat loss is via evaporation...so in that reard, auto cover is just fine ;)

Running you gas line is a one-time expense/sunk cost. I think I terms of "days of enjoyment" it may be a better investment in the long run, considering there are much cheaper ways to address a cover and heat preservation.

But I completely understand the desire for an autocover ;)

Btw, I'm in Grand Rapids and before investing in a dome to operate yearround, my natural gas heater and I managed to swim from April through October...not especially cheaply in the shoulder seasons, but from a health and enjoyment standpoint, worth the spend to me ;)
 
Thanks for the detailed reply Swampwoman,
You have said exactly what I have read, I think i just wanted to be sure. The autocover is nice for piece of mind (for our three kids) but it is such a big investment to add. The rocky reel looks really nice, if it's easy to use, I might be able to convince my wife to use it regularly :).

Thanks again,

Derek
 
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