With the recent significant increases in electricity prices, the running costs of a swim spa or hot tub have become an important issue. Air source heat pumps are an energy-saving alternative to using the direct electric heater fitted as standard to a swim spa or hot tub. The heat pump is a remote device, similar in size to an air conditioning unit, that needs to be plumbed into the filtration circuit of your swim spa or hot tub. It will automatically operate to heat the water as instructed by the existing control system in your swim spa or hot tub.
There is a wide range of performance figures quoted for various different types of air-source heat pumps. The cost savings will vary on the performance of the heat pump, the size of the swim spa or hot tub, and the location of the installation. The performance of an air source heat pump is measured by its COP (Coefficient of Performance) which compares how much energy it will consume against how much energy it can capture from the surrounding air. It is important to understand that the COP figure will not directly relate to the energy cost savings in a swim spa or hot tub installation, as energy is also needed for filtration cycles and running the jet pumps in a swim spa or hot tub. Our own tests have shown that air source heat pumps offer an overall reduction in electricity consumption of around 60% compared to using the built-in direct electric heater.
A large swim spa can use up to 20kWh of electricity each day so a 60% saving equates to 12kWh and the value of this daily saving is significant. It means that the cost of an air source heat pump can be paid back within 3 years. A small hot tub may only use around 5kWh of electricity per day and a 60% saving against this is much less significant, meaning that the payback period for an air source heat pump, albeit a lower cost installation than a swim spa, could be over 6 years.
The installation costs of an air source heat pump can be significant as they are not currently a simple plug-in device. They require modification of the filtration circuit within the swim spa or hot tub and, in some cases, the replacement of the existing control system. Air source heat pumps for swim spas and hot tubs are rapidly becoming more affordable and increasingly efficient. For swim spas and larger hot tubs, there is already a realistic payback period from the energy cost savings offered. Regardless of the energy cost savings that an air source heat pump offers, there are two other significant benefits which are the reduced environmental impact of lower energy consumption and the fact that the heat pump will heat the water from cold much faster than a standard direct electric heater. The second benefit means that air source heat pump upgrades are ideal for holiday let properties where water changes are carried out between each change of occupancy.
Contact us for a quote to upgrade your Jacuzzi Hot Tub or Swim Spa to an Air Source Heat Pump us for a quote to upgrade your Jacuzzi Hot Tub or Swim Spa to an Air Source Heat Pump
