Keeping my pool open all winter...should I winterize heat pump or no?

[convan23]

My heat pump is very easy to winterize: I have a 3-way valve and a check valve that I can use to isolate the heat pump from the loop, as well as a bib at each outlet of the heat pump. So, to winterize the pump, all I need to do is close the 3 way valve and open the hose bibs to let the water drain. However, the check valve slowly leaks water into the heat pump...if I left the hose bibs close after a day I could open them up and probably a quart of water or more comes out. Eventually I assume the heat pump will fill with enough water that it's at a freeze risk of bursting. I could keep the bibs open and let the leakage drain out, or I could just keep the heat pump "open" with the rest of the pool all winter, and just rest assure that if I need to ever quickly winterize it due to power failure or something, I know how and it's easy.

But I also want to protect my investment in the heat pump, and I'm curious whether it's better for the heater itself if it's going to be inactive for months to have it drained or for (well balanced) water to be flowing through it.

Or....am I over thinking?

 

[Newdude]

I could just keep the heat pump "open" with the rest of the pool all winter, and just rest assure that if I need to ever quickly winterize it due to power failure or something, I know how and it's easy.

^^^^^^^ bingo.

Don't turn the heater on when it's cold and the water passing through it won't harm it any. The manufacturer recommendations for your specific unit for the temps to not operate the heater will be in the manual. Downloads are widely available if you misplaced it.

If you had an extended power outage you have an awesome, well planned, plan B.

 

[ajw22]

Don't turn the heater on when it's cold and the water passing through it won't harm it any.

Even if a HP is turned on with cold water passing through it there will be no damage.

Keep the HP open and only winterize it if you have a pump or power failure.