Heater considerations

[Wntrequinx]

So I would like to put in a water heater for my above ground pool. Now that we have solar electricity, I'm trying to decide between a heat pump and resistive heater.

Here are my two main questions:

1) I have a wire run to the pool that is on a 20 amp circuit, and the junction box has an on/off switch and two 120 volt outlets (we have a single outlet to put in it instead, once we realized it wasn't supposed to have the two, we just haven't gotten a chance to replace it).
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Would either electric heater type *not* require running a new circuit?
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2) Assuming I do not have to have a new circuit run (otherwise nevermind, I'll just live with a cold pool) - I have a 2 speed pump, but I'm not exactly sure what the actual flow rate is with my oversized sand filter and stupid 1 1/4inch fittings on the intake side of the pump hoses (I've gotten the return ones 1 1/2 but keep forgetting to buy more when the whole thing isn't set up).
****
How exactly do I test to find the actual flow rate so I know whether or not the heater will function properly on the low speed? (I'm not sure what to search for to find instructions)
****

Thank you

 

[1poolman1]

So I would like to put in a water heater for my above ground pool. Now that we have solar electricity, I'm trying to decide between a heat pump and resistive heater.

Here are my two main questions:

1) I have a wire run to the pool that is on a 20 amp circuit, and the junction box has an on/off switch and two 120 volt outlets (we have a single outlet to put in it instead, once we realized it wasn't supposed to have the two, we just haven't gotten a chance to replace it).
****
Would either electric heater type *not* require running a new circuit?
****

2) Assuming I do not have to have a new circuit run (otherwise nevermind, I'll just live with a cold pool) - I have a 2 speed pump, but I'm not exactly sure what the actual flow rate is with my oversized sand filter and stupid 1 1/4inch fittings on the intake side of the pump hoses (I've gotten the return ones 1 1/2 but keep forgetting to buy more when the whole thing isn't set up).
****
How exactly do I test to find the actual flow rate so I know whether or not the heater will function properly on the low speed? (I'm not sure what to search for to find instructions)
****

Thank you

Most heat pumps, even small ones, require a 30 -50 amp, 240V service just for them to run.
There are some very small, 120V models that will require a dedicated 20A service. You would need a separate outlet/breaker/wire-run for it alone, no pump nor anything else could be on that circuit.
Trying to heat that amount of water with resistive heat would be crazy expensive.

 

[Wntrequinx]

Most heat pumps, even small ones, require a 30 -50 amp, 240V service just for them to run.
There are some very small, 120V models that will require a dedicated 20A service. You would need a separate outlet/breaker/wire-run for it alone, no pump nor anything else could be on that circuit.
Trying to heat that amount of water with resistive heat would be crazy expensive.

We have solar panels so it's not as much of an issue as far as power consumption (esp if I run it in the day), but I'm not up for digging a new electrical line (paying to have it put in), so I think we'll be skipping the heater unless we can build an awning on my deck to mount a solar one someday. I'm already annoyed at the prospect of painting the deck so I'm not looking to add to the deck-work this year