The Ultimate Guide To Hot Tub Heat Pumps
Heat Pumps for Hot Tubs have been around for a while, but with the recent energy price increases, they’re getting more attention than ever and for good reason.
Do you want to find out more about the source heat pumps for Hot Tubs and see how much they can lower the running costs of your Hot Tub? you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together this helpful guide to answer all your Heat Pump questions.
Why Get A Hot Tub Heat Pump?
In short, they will save you money, a lot of money!
Exactly how much will you save? this is a difficult question to answer because there are so many variables. Everything from the model of Hot Tub & Heat Pump, to the geographical location can all make a difference but you can expect between a 70 and 85% reduction in energy consumption.
Most Hot Tubs come standard with a 2kW or 3kW electric heater, which means that they use 2kW or 3kW of electricity to produce just under 2kW or 3kW of heat energy. In short, they produce roughly the same amount of heat energy that they use.
All heat pumps have a COP rating (Coefficient of performance) rating. This is a rating of how many KW of energy it creates. For example, If a HP has a rating of 5, it produces 5 KW for every KW it uses. The higher the COP rating the more efficient the pump and the cheaper it will be to run.
Not only will an Air Source Heat Pump make your Hot Tub much more energy efficient in day-to-day running, they make a huge difference in heat up costs and time when refilling. This is especially useful for holiday lets where water changes are much more frequent.
Air Source Heat Pumps are perfect for the holiday let industry as they massively reduce heat-up times. A Hot Tub that usually takes 24 hours to heat up can take as little as 3-4 hours to fully heat when using a Heat Pump.
Whilst an Hot Tub Heat Pump will efficiently get the Spa temperature up to 38 degrees, it is the job of the insulation to stop heat loss, that is why it is important to buy a well-insulated, well-built Hot Tub.
What Is A Hot Tub Heat Pump?
You’ve heard about how great heat pumps are on spas and how much money they can save, but what is a Hot Tub Heat Pump?
The brief answer is a device that is plumbed into the Hot Tub that extracts heat from the outside air (the air doesn’t need to be hot) and using the technology inside the Heat Pump, increases this heat and transfers it to your Hot Tub.
How A Hot Tub Heat Pump Works
Stage 1 – The fans on the heat pump pulls in air which then passes over refrigerated tubes. As the refrigerant is warmed up, it turns to gas.
Stage 2 – The hot tub heat pump then compresses the gas with its electric pump which drastically raises the temperature.
Stage 3 – The heat exchanger then transfers this heat into the hot tub.
Stage 4 – Once the heat is transferred to the tub the gas cools and turns back to a liquid to complete the cycle.
Features To Look Out For
Operating Temperature
It doesn’t need to be hot outside for a Hot Tub Heat Pump to be efficient. Even in cold weather they are able to operate, generate heat and save you money. How cold it can be outside for the Heat Pump to work depends on the model, Hot Tub Heat Pumps like the SpaWer Ice Spa can operate down to -25!
Inverter
Some Hot Tub Heat Pumps use on/off technology which is exactly as it sounds, the Heat Pump is on when it needs to warm the water, and off when the water is up to temperature. Other models of Heat Pump use Inverter technology. These models have a variable fan and constantly check the water temperature. Rather than turning on and off, they make small adjustments, this makes them more efficient and cheap to run.
Noise Level
It’s important to check the noise level before buying a Heat Pump. No one wants their enjoyment of their Hot Tub to be ruined by a noisy Heat Pump. Heat Pumps like our SpaWer range operate as low as 32 dB which is quieter than a typical fridge!
Questions We Get Asked
Will it work in winter?
Even though warmer the outside air the more efficient the heat pump will run, Heat Pumps like the SpaWer Ice Spa can still work right down to -25oc. Because of this heat pumps are still a great way to lower your running costs even in colder places like the UK.
Can a Heat Pump be fitted to any Hot Tub?
A Heat Pump can be fitted to any Hot Tub, even wood fired! They are easier to fit if the cabinet is spacious and not foam insulated, however our highly trained and experienced BISHTA qualified technicians can fit to any tub.
All you need is space around your Hot Tub for the Heat Pump and airflow. The closer its fitted to the tub, the less heat will be lost through transfer.
How Much Does A Hot Tub Heat Pump Cost?
This can vary greatly depending on the the model the size and if it’s even a Heat Pump that’s been designed specifically for Hot Tubs or if it’s a pool Heat Pump that’s been adapted. Our SpaWer Hot Tub Heat Pumps start at just £999.
How loud are Hot Tub Heat Pumps?
We often get asked how loud are hot tub air source heat pumps? This depends on the model. All models have to have a decibel rating by UK law.
As you can see, the benefits of a Hot Tub Heat Pump are outweigh the negatives. With more and more people becoming aware of the amazing advantages and outstanding cost effectiveness, Heat Pumps for Hot Tubs are becoming the new standard.
If you have any other questions please get in touch will be more than happy to help.
