On the surface, geothermal pool heat pumps work similar to air-source pool heat pumps, the more common of the two. Both types of pool heat pumps rely on a high-pressure refrigerant system to transfer heat to your pool water. But what sets these two apart is how they source heat.
Air-source pool heat pumps harvest heat naturally by using a fan to pull in warm air over an evaporator coil. Geothermal pool heat pumps don’t rely on the air at all, but before we get into that, let’s answer an essential question.
[Learn more about how pool heat pumps work (air-source)]
What is Geothermal?
By the simplest definition, Geothermal is heat energy that resides within the earth’s crust. As heat from the sun hit’s the surface, it disperses and collects within the ground. Despite external conditions like snow, rain, or cloudy skies, the earth is an excellent insulator and maintains a fairly constant temperature underground, roughly around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
So how do Geothermal pool heat pumps work?
Taking into consideration that geothermal heat pumps are commonly referred to as “water-source” (or “ground-source”) heat pumps, it’s pretty easy to determine how they source their heat.
But wait, how can a machine designed to heat up cold pool water WITH water be the least bit effective? That’s where the whole Geothermal factor comes into play.
In a typical pool setup, Geothermal systems utilize an underground liquid-filled pipe system to store and source heat. The pipes are buried deep underground where the temperature is constant. Since the liquid is at a constant temperature, the pump can use it to generate more heat. In this sense,
In this sense, the underground pipe system essentially replaces the fan and warm air in an air-source pool heat pump.
At this point, the remaining process is identical to that of air-source pool heat pumps.
The liquid from the pipe system passes through an evaporator coil, where heat is extracted. From there, the heat is distributed into the refrigerant system where it is compressed and sent to the heat exchanger. Here the pool water is heated up and pumped into the pool while the remaining refrigerant recycles.
A few facts about Geothermal Pool Heating and Cooling
Advantages and Disadvantages
Since geothermal pool heat pumps rely exclusively on an underground heat source, it’s only natural that they come with a few advantages over other pool heaters.
Geothermal Pool Heat Pump Advantages
- Unaffected by external temperatures
- Can be used year-round
- Pipe system maximizes heat generation efficiency
- Cheaper to operate than gas and electric resistance heaters
Geothermal Pool Heat Pump Disadvantages
- Complex and expensive installation
- Complex repairs (underground heating
source)
Being that most of us don’t have a ready-to-go pipe system sitting underground in our backyards, additional tasks are added to the installation process.
In turn, this racks a significantly higher total cost.
For this reason, many pool owners still opt for air-source heat pumps as a pool heating solution. Which heat pump style your choose is entirely dependent upon your preference and situation, but either option stands as an excellent choice in terms of energy efficiency and effectiveness.
Closing thoughts
Now you know exactly how geothermal pool heat pumps work. Using an underground pipe system, the heaters store water at a constant temperature, later using it in a refrigerant system to produce heat. They’re a true ground source heat pump for swimming pools.
Curious to learn about the other types of pool heaters? Check out this Pool Heater Comparison Guide
Setting up your pool for the first time? Have a few pool maintenance questions? Our Pool Owner Guide is the perfect resource for you
