As a pool owner, one important role in keeping your pool in the best condition is properly maintaining your swimming pool heat pump system. A well looked after heat pump not only means that your pool is always at the ideal temperature for swimming, it also means that it is running at maximum efficiency, which in turn saves you money on energy costs as well as extending the life of your swimming pool heat pump.
Below are a few tips that we think will help you learn how to maintain your swimming pool heating system.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Consistent maintenance is vital to ensuring that your pool heat pump continues to work as efficiently as possible. Always remember to schedule routine maintenance visits with a qualified pool engineer that can service and inspect your pool equipment, including your heat pump at least once a year. Typically, during these visits, an engineer will clean the unit, inspect the internals and make or report any repairs needed to keep your heat pump working at it’s best.
Keep the Heater Area Clean
Ensuring that the area around your hear pump is clean and clear of debris such as leaves, dirt and bushes is important. These reduce the efficiency of the heat pump, increasing the likelihood of damage. The best way to prevent this is to regularly clear any debris around the vicinity of your swimming pool heat pump.
Check the Water Flow
It is always important to check the flow rate of the water passing through the heat pump. You should ensure that water is passing through correctly – the best way to check this is to check the pressure gauge on your sand filter, as this will give you an idea of how quickly the water is moving around your system. If the pressure is too high or too low on the pressure gauge, this could indicate an issue with the pump or filter; which in turn can cause issues with the rest of your pool system such as the heat pump. If your heat pump contains a safety flow switch, this will automatically switch the unit off to prevent any damage to the system if the flow is incorrect – this can also prevent the water from overheating.
Monitor the Water Chemistry
Maintaining the correct water chemistry is an essential task when looking after your swimming pool. This will help in preventing corrosion and other damage to your heat pump.
Testing of your pool water regularly to check that it has the right pH and chlorine level is an important task. If your heat pump is manufactured using stainless steel components, and the pool water chemistry is incorrect, this can lead to corrosion, scale and other issues that could cause damage to your pool heating system. To prevent issues like this, look out for heat pumps that use titanium parts. Titanium guarantees corrosion-free running and helps to extend the life of your heat pump.
Address Problems Promptly
Addressing any issues with your swimming pool heat pump as soon as possible is extremely important. If you notice any problems with the unit, such as unusual noises or lacking performance, don’t hold back on having them looked at. Quick repairs can stop further damage and save you time and money in the long run.
Drain the Water and Prevent Frost Damage During the Winters
When winter arrives, if you are not planning on using your swimming pool heat pump, it is important to drain the water from the unit. This will stop damage due to the freezing temperatures. In addition, make sure the area around your pool heater is insulated to help protect against frost damage.
Cover the Pool to Keep the Temperature From Dropping Dramatically
Finally, a great way to maintain your swimming pool temperature is to keep a cover on the pool when it’s not in use. This will help to keep the water temperature from dropping dramatically, which can then put an extra strain on the heater and cause unnecessary wear and tear.
