Pool Heater Guidance

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Enzodast

Well-known member
Jul 22, 2020
56
Connecticut
Pool Size
34997
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Hey everyone,

I've done homework but could use some more specific guidance on what i could use for my pool/setup.

i have a 40x20 inground pool (8' deep end) that i've estimated to be around 40,000 gallons. I currently have a single speed hayward tristar 2hp 2" pump (installed 2020). Im in CT by the way...so open in may usually and close in october typically now.

I'd like to add a heat pump this year....but my research is telling me it requires to be ran longer than the 8 hours i currently run my pump during the peak of the summer. when it's colder and i need the heat pump i usually run the pump closer to 7 hours a day and it sufficiently maintains the water.... i'm trying to do the math on the electricity and it's tricky....if i get an efficient pump but then have to run a very inefficient water pump i'm really going to pay a fortune for electricity.

my questions...

1) if i ran my current pump the normal 7 or 8 hours per day is that enough to heat the water up and maintain temp?
2) am i better off upgrading to a variable pump so i can run it at lower speeds but for longer so the heat pump has more time per day to crirculate?
3) if i need to do the 2nd item above what suggestions do you have for pump/heater combos?
3a) any experience with the black and decker variable pumps and matching heaters? i can get them at a reasonable price

Thank you!!
 
Enzodast said:
Hey everyone,

I've done homework but could use some more specific guidance on what i could use for my pool/setup.

i have a 40x20 inground pool (8' deep end) that i've estimated to be around 40,000 gallons. I currently have a single speed hayward tristar 2hp 2" pump (installed 2020). Im in CT by the way...so open in may usually and close in october typically now.

I'd like to add a heat pump this year....but my research is telling me it requires to be ran longer than the 8 hours i currently run my pump during the peak of the summer. when it's colder and i need the heat pump i usually run the pump closer to 7 hours a day and it sufficiently maintains the water.... i'm trying to do the math on the electricity and it's tricky....if i get an efficient pump but then have to run a very inefficient water pump i'm really going to pay a fortune for electricity.

my questions...

1) if i ran my current pump the normal 7 or 8 hours per day is that enough to heat the water up and maintain temp?
2) am i better off upgrading to a variable pump so i can run it at lower speeds but for longer so the heat pump has more time per day to crirculate?
3) if i need to do the 2nd item above what suggestions do you have for pump/heater combos?
3a) any experience with the black and decker variable pumps and matching heaters? i can get them at a reasonable price

Thank you!!
Click to expand...
1) In Connecticut, probably not.
2) Absolutely.
3) See 4.
4) Many here are very happy with their B&D pump. You might look into a Calimar 3hp. Same pump, different name and lower cost. (B&D, Circupool, Calimar are all the same pump with a different brand on them) Get the largest, in BTU, heat pump you can for best performance and faster heat.
 
Enzodast said:
1) if i ran my current pump the normal 7 or 8 hours per day is that enough to heat the water up and maintain temp?
Click to expand...

Heat Pump Basics - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
Enzodast said:
2) am i better off upgrading to a variable pump so i can run it at lower speeds but for longer so the heat pump has more time per day to crirculate?
Click to expand...

Yes

Enzodast said:
3) if i need to do the 2nd item above what suggestions do you have for pump/heater combos?
Click to expand...

You need an automation system for a Heat Pump and VS pump to work together most efficiently. The automation will adjust the pump speed depending on whether the Heat Pump is running and needs a higher flow rate. That way, when heat is not needed, the pump can run at a very low speed.

Things work best when the automation, VS pump, and heat pump are from the same manufacturer.

Automation - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Enzodast said:
3a) any experience with the black and decker variable pumps and matching heaters? i can get them at a reasonable price
Click to expand...

B&D VS pumps seem to be good.

Calimar/Circupool/BD/Blue Torrent Pump - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

B&D Heat Pumps are too new to say. We have not heard of any experience with them.
 
Last edited:
ajw22 said:

Heat Pump Basics - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com


Yes



You need an automation system for a Heat Pump and VS pump to work together most efficiently. The automation will adjust the pump speed depending on whether the Heat Pump is running and needs a higher flow rate. That way, when heat is not needed, the pump can run at a very low speed.

Things work best when the automation, VS pump, and heat pump are from the same manufacturer.

Automation - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com



B&D VS pumps seem to be good.

Calimar/Circupool/BD/Blue Torrent Pump - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

B&D Heat Pumps are too new to say. We have not heard of any experience with them.
Click to expand...
hey AJW thank you! Can you recommend the automation equipment?

I thought the heat pump will only turn on when it senses flow....so first the VS pump needs to be on...then it'll trigger the heat pump to activate IF the temperature is set to a point where it needs to be heated. If it's the middle of summer like july and pool is naturally say at 85 the heat pump should already sense that and just not kick on...no?

I guess i'm not fully seeing the need for automation if the pump and heater are supposed to work together already? or are you saying the automation is really dummy proof...so it'll change the speeds of the pump etc. Whereas otherwise i'd have to set the schedules on my pump or adjust more frequently manually?
 
Enzodast said:
hey AJW thank you! Can you recommend the automation equipment?
Click to expand...

Yes. The automation panel, VS pump, and HP should all be from the same manufacturer. Which manufacturer do you want to go with—Pentair, Hayward, or Jandy?

Enzodast said:
I thought the heat pump will only turn on when it senses flow....so first the VS pump needs to be on...then it'll trigger the heat pump to activate IF the temperature is set to a point where it needs to be heated. If it's the middle of summer like july and pool is naturally say at 85 the heat pump should already sense that and just not kick on...no?
Click to expand...

Heat Pumps have a minimum flow rate, which is fairly high. Below that flow rate, the HP will throw a "No Flow" error and not do anything. So you need to always run your VS pump at something like 2400 RPM, even when no heat is required.

With automation, the VS pump can run at something like 1500 RPM, and the automation monitors the pool temperature and raises the pump speed when heat is needed.
Enzodast said:
I guess i'm not fully seeing the need for automation if the pump and heater are supposed to work together already? or are you saying the automation is really dummy proof...so it'll change the speeds of the pump etc. Whereas otherwise i'd have to set the schedules on my pump or adjust more frequently manually?
Click to expand...
See above.
 
ajw22 said:
Yes. The automation panel, VS pump, and HP should all be from the same manufacturer. Which manufacturer do you want to go with—Pentair, Hayward, or Jandy?



Heat Pumps have a minimum flow rate, which is fairly high. Below that flow rate, the HP will throw a "No Flow" error and not do anything. So you need to always run your VS pump at something like 2400 RPM, even when no heat is required.

With automation, the VS pump can run at something like 1500 RPM, and the automation monitors the pool temperature and raises the pump speed when heat is needed.
Click to expand...

so my cost just went up...lol, GREAT! open to any manufacturer...i was looking at black and decker because of some sale prices but whatever is the best bang for your buck and quality i guess. if they're all within 1k or so i'd probably go with the better brand but was hoping to be around 1k for pump....4 to 5k for heat pump (37,500 gallon pool, so i think i need something north of 150,000 btus), and now something for the automation? I guess going salt might need to wait another year!
 
Look if you can live with the limitations of the Pentair IntelliConnect…

Pentair Automation Systems - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Get a Pentair Intelliflo3 or Whisperflo VST pump.

Get any Heat Pump that connects to 2-wire fireman switch automation control. Pentair has the UltraTemp Heat Pump.

Then you can add an IntelliChlor IC60 SWG.

Pentair IntelliFlo Pumps - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Pentair UltraTemp Heat Pump - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Confirm you do not have a spa, or water features, or other stuff you want to control?
 
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Here is a thread on a member who recently installed an IntelliConnect…

Adding a pool heater bypass?

Yes sir. Just the Pentair sensor to the heater port on the IntelliConnect. Should also allow heater control 👍 Heater firemans switch is the right terminal block. Water Temperature sensor connection in the middle. RS-485 connections on the left.
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
The B&D Heat Pump does not have an automation control.

You can splice into the Water Flow switch and connect that to the automation heater relay to control the HP through the remote.

Or you can leave the HP ON and let the HP cycle itself when the pump speed is sufficient for the Water Flow Switch.

Whatever HP you get you should determine who in your local area will provide warranty service or repairs on the unit you buy. Some folks have found they have orphan heat pumps that no one will service.


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ajw22 said:
Look if you can live with the limitations of the Pentair IntelliConnect…

Pentair Automation Systems - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Get a Pentair Intelliflo3 or Whisperflo VST pump.

Get any Heat Pump that connects to 2-wire fireman switch automation control. Pentair has the UltraTemp Heat Pump.

Then you can add an IntelliChlor IC60 SWG.

Pentair IntelliFlo Pumps - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Pentair UltraTemp Heat Pump - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Confirm you do not have a spa, or water features, or other stuff you want to control?
Click to expand...
correct no spa, no water features.
 
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