Optimize your energy usage now and use your hot tub all year round.

• They can work with almost all new or existing hot tubs, making them ideal for new owners or current owners looking to lower their running costs.

• Less Energy – Heat pumps use far less energy than conventional heaters

• Less Carbon – Lower energy usage means a reduced carbon footprint. Electricity is becoming greener over time also.

• Proven Technology – Heat pumps use similar technology to air conditioning which is extremely reliable and requires minimal maintenance.

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How does an air source heat pump actually work?

Some history to heat pumps

You may not have heard of air-source heat pumps until recently but they are not new. How they work certainly isn’t. Based on refrigerator technology which was first invented back in 1755!

An air source heat pump works by extracting heat from the outside ambient air, it then transfers this heat into the water in the hot tub.

The saving is made because the only electricity used is to power the process. No power is used to heat the water. Meaning compared to your conventional heater more heat can be created for the same amount of power…up to 16 times more for the same price!

They operate under the 2nd law of thermodynamics, which is heat always flows from a hot to a cold body. They function the same as your refrigerator, but in reverse. 

The workings of an air source heat pump

The air source heat pump contains 4 major components

1. A compressor

2. A condenser

3. An expansion valve

4. An evaporator

The refrigerant gas is passed through these components

 

1. Outside air is drawn over the evaporator which contains cold refrigerant gas, because this gas is colder than the ambient air, heat from the air is transferred into the colder body of gas.

2. This slightly warmed gas is then pumped through a compressor. When a gas is compressed it naturally increases in temperature   

3. This hot gas is then drawn through a condenser/heat exchanger which transfers the heat into the hot tub water.

4. Now the gas needs to be cooled again, this is done by passing it through an expansion valve which releases the pressure on the gas allowing it to call. Just like an aerosol, inside the aerosol, the gas is under pressure, and when you press the button the gas comes out cold, this is the gas expanding.

The cycle then starts again with the cooled refrigerant going back into the evaporator.

Efficiency

The main performance figure of an air source heat pump is the COP (Coefficient of performance). This is the ratio of electricity used to heat output produced. For instance, a heat pump with a COP of 5 means that for every 1kw of heat used, 5kw of heat is produced.

So in money terms, if a unit of electricity costs 34p per kw/h, using the internal heater to produce 5kw of heat it would cost £1.70. An air source heat pump would cost 0.34p to produce the same amount of heat.

Our air source heat pumps can operate in temperatures down to -12c and under average UK temperatures of 10c offering an average COP of 5.6. In peak conditions, this can rise to 16.

Not quite as straightforward of that

The output of an air source heat pump is dependent on a number of variables, these include ambient temperature, water temperature and humidity. So the COP of a heat pump does vary. For instance, at 25c outside the heat pump might have a COP of 7:1, but at 5c the COP will drop to a COP of 4:1.

Another factor is the technology used within the heat pump so the hardware and the refrigerant gas.

Different refrigerant gases perform differently. Modern heat pumps use R32 gas which is usually effective down to around -15c

The second main component is the compressor used, of which there are main two types – on/off and inverter.

Types of air source heat pumps

On/Off

On/Off compressors are either on or off, so all or nothing. They cannot vary their output or power usage. Newer inverter-style air source heat pumps can run at variable speeds, so on a warmer day when less heat is cooled, they can run slower meaning less power is used. The inverter heat pumps use less power than the on/off heat pumps.

Inverter

The second main component is the compressor used, of which there are main two types – on/off and inverter.

The most efficient heat pumps (like what we supply) use inverter technology. So instead of the equipment in the heat pump being either on or off (fan, compressor, expansion valve) they can vary in speed which means they run only as much as required, therefore much more efficiency and cost saving.

So how does an air source heat pump save you money?

The saving over a conventional heater comes because no electricity is used to generate heat. Heat pumps have the ability to produce more heat than the equivalent electricity used. 

 

What are the advantage of air source heat pump?

1. Low running costs: Air source heat pumps are much more efficient than traditional heating systems and use significantly less energy, which can result in lower running costs.

2. Eco-Friendly: Air-source heat pumps can use renewable energy sources and do not produce carbon emissions, making them an eco-friendly heating choice.

3. Versatility: Air source heat pumps can be used to heat and cool a space, making them a versatile choice for year-round comfort.

4. Low maintenance: Air source heat pumps require little to no maintenance, making them a reliable and convenient choice for hot tub and swim spa owners.

5. Simple to install: Air source heat pumps can be fitted to virtually all hot tubs and swim spas so anyone can take advantage of their energy-saving advantages.