can I use a swimming pool ASHP for my UFH?

cretanrunner

OK, time to fill in some background to put the various issues in context.

Firstly, we live in Crete, and our average winter minimum temps are around 5C. Any heat pump should be relatively lightly stressed. I think! We have no option to go with a gas boiler - no supply.

Secondly, we are lucky enough to have a concrete machine room that is attached to the house, but not in proximity to living areas. The proposed outside location for the heat pump should not be an issue from a noise point of view, and I would choose a heat pump that had the lowest possible flow rate requirement, and hope that the fast flow, which would only be from the heat pump to the cylinder, pipe-length no more than 5m, would not be that noisy.

I have seen swimming pool heat pumps that will output up to 40C. This should suffice since I will be running DHW off solar panels, completely separate system.

What do you reckon? Glimmer of hope or pie in the sky?

richardc1983

No it is not intended for that purpose just get something that was designed for heating a home if u can't afford then look at alternatives to a heat pump for UHF maybe air con units?

Cardew

I would agree with Richard above, air to air heat pumps are simple and cheap, with the added advantage of aircon in the hot summers.

I suspect your pool ASHP is not feasible, otherwise loads of people would have tried it.

In any case just how much would you save? The heat pump is cheaper, but a 0.5HP pump(cost and running cost @ 375 watts) 1,500 litre thermal store.

You will need a further pump from heat store to UFH/radiators with some mechanism devised to ensure that circuit is separate from the big 'Gusher'.

'The Road to Hell is paved with good intentions.'

cretanrunner

I would agree with Richard above, air to air heat pumps are simple and cheap, with the added advantage of aircon in the hot summers. OK, but I don't want to go that route because 1. I don't like hot air heating and 2. We already have aircon.

I suspect your pool ASHP is not feasible, otherwise loads of people would have tried it. Very possible, but no-one has yet outlined any specifics as to why that is so.

In any case just how much would you save? The heat pump is cheaper, but a 0.5HP pump(cost and running cost @ 375 watts) 1,500 litre thermal store. Already have a thermal store I can use at no cost, (don't ask!). Fair point about the pump though.

You will need a further pump from heat store to UFH/radiators with some mechanism devised to ensure that circuit is separate from the big 'Gusher'. The UFH already has its own pumps, and would have needed anyway. Circuits would be separated by drawing off the thermal store via coil.

Sorry if I sound a bit stubborn, but I need convincing one way or the other.....

Cardew

Not stubborn - determined!

Why not ask a few firms what they think of the idea, and any reason why they think it is a non-starter.

cretanrunner

Now that is a good idea. I'll ask manufacurers of both types what they think, but I may phrase the question somewhat differently in each case......;)