Heater and heat pump service

When you need it

• The water stays cold in winter although the unit runs.
• The unit will not start, or the display shows a fault.
• The fan is not blowing cold air while heating.
• Water around the unit when it is switched off.
• Before winter, as routine service.

How a specialist does it

AstralPool, part of Fluidra, explains how a pool heat pump works. A fan draws in outside air, refrigerant in the evaporator coil absorbs heat from it, the compressor raises the refrigerant's temperature, and a titanium heat exchanger passes that heat into the pool water. Because it moves heat rather than generating it, its efficiency is described by the Coefficient of Performance (COP): the higher the COP, the better the energy savings.

Inverter models adjust compressor and fan speed to demand instead of switching fully on and off. AstralPool says this means less energy use, quieter operation and steadier water temperatures, and quotes energy savings of up to 10 to 35% for its inverter range compared with non-inverter heat pumps.

Fault finding follows the manufacturer's tables. The Jandy VersaTemp manual gives typical examples:

• No display. Check the breaker or fuse. On three-phase models, phases may be reversed or one may be lost.
• Display on, unit not starting. The unit may be in a five-minute delay, the thermostat may not be calling for heat, or it may be set to cooling.
• Runs but does not heat. Confirm that cold air is blowing out of the unit. After installation, or when the water has cooled a lot, Jandy says it may need to run continuously for 24 to 48 hours.
• No flow fault. Check the pump, valves, filter, skimmers and water level.

Jandy's annual professional inspection covers wiring and terminals, the flow or pressure switch, controls and limits, the evaporator coil and the condensate drain, finishing with a normal operating cycle.

Gas and electric heaters exist as well and have their own service needs. Ask which types a specialist covers before booking.

What to ask before you hire

• What is the unit's COP, and is it sized for my pool and the temperature I want?
• Is it an inverter or on/off model, and does that matter for how I use the pool?
• Will you follow the manufacturer's annual service checklist?
• Who handles refrigerant work, and are they certified?
• Does the unit also cool, and is it set up correctly for both modes?
• Can you get parts for my brand locally?

UAE notes

Heating demand in the UAE falls mainly in the cooler months, while the same unit may be cooling the pool in summer. If yours does both, one technician can usually cover a pre-winter and a pre-summer service.

Noise matters in townhouses and towers. AstralPool quotes 37.6 to 52.5 dBA for its inverter range. Ask for the figure for any unit you are offered, and check with community or building management where it may be placed.

Covers help in every season. DEWA recommends covering pools to reduce evaporation losses, and a cover also helps a pool keep the heat it has gained overnight.