Still scope to upsell on heat pumps, say the pool industry…
The wraps are well and truly off an estimated 20,000 heat pumps already operating across the water leisure industry. This is no short-term sales spike. Predictions are that this vital market sector will continue to grow up to and beyond 2030. Despite the eye-watering sales potential, the jury is out on whether pool and spa retailers are maximising the heat pumps’ upselling benefits.
“With heat pumps now being added to new-build homes, as a matter of standard, the pool and spa industry needs to wake up to the full potential of these eco-friendly products,” says Ocea’s Alan Thorne. “If I have a heat pump for my home energy, I get a certificate that qualifies me for low energy on my house, we need to work as an industry to maximise the link between the house and the pool for their energy efficiency,” he adds.
Heat pumps that use inverter technology are the most eco-friendly. Inverter heat pump technology gives efficient control of the pool temperature by only using the energy required. This is achieved by the inverter technology allowing the speed of the heat pump to reduce whenever the pool needs less than the full output, matching heat output to exactly the heat required.
This not only gives lower running costs but reduces sound levels to a ‘whisper’ and eliminates the massive spike in currents associated with on/ off heat pumps. Certikin encourage their trade customers against embellishing heat pump performance, in the UK climate, to ensure that the end-user’s expectations are realistic. “When comparing heat pumps it is important for you and and your customers to be comparing like-for- like,” say Olena.
“A key factor is the coefficient of performance or COP and that this is based on the UK climate so you can be sure that the performance claimed is achievable.” A couple of key points on those basic comparisons would be the warranty. Certikin’s is a true five-year on-site warranty which includes both parts and labour. Complying with the European F-Gas regulations, Calorex heat pumps use the low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerant R32.
It requires less refrigerant volume per kW and is easier to recycle. Certikin again: “Whilst Certikin inverter heat pumps are suitable for indoor outdoor use, it is the latter where they prove to be more popular. “Over the past year, the pandemic has seen people focusing on making the home a place for wellbeing and enjoyment.
This appetite for the enhancement of outdoor spaces as seen in a rise in the demand of outdoor pools many of which are looking to air source heat pumps as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way of heating the water. Certikin has a vastly experienced in-house technical team who are able to advise on the best solution for each project.
This is backed up by Dantherm’s nationwide network of service engineers. “All heat pumps should be installed by someone who has the relevant qualifications,” Certikin emphasise. “All our heat pumps come with a comprehensive installation manual, which included information on correct positioning and set up. It is critical that the install manuals are followed to ensure the correct air flow.”
NEXT GENERATION
Over at Golden Coast, they understand the importance of heat pumps to the wet leisure industry – which is why they keep over 40 different models in stock. According to Technical Account Manager Ellie Gill, the range covers “Something to meet every specification, fit every budget, and suit every install.”
Every volume of water that requires heating – or cooling – can benefit from a heat pump. Many clients are drawn to heat pumps because they offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to gas boilers and electric heaters. But the benefits of these units extend far beyond their eco credentials. In fact, they could save customers thousands of pounds every year. On top of that, they represent an excellent commercial opportunity.
“Heat pumps are clever business,” Ellie explains. “They’re a high value item with good profit margins that can be installed in less than half a day. It’s really a no-brainer.” The Golden Coast range covers everything from 3kw units for above ground pools all the way through to large, commercial 110kw units. The stand-out the model is the brand new X20 by Fairland.
Available exclusively from Golden Coast, this revolutionary heat pump is the only unit on the market to boast a Coefficient of Performance, or COP, of 20, making it invaluable to those in search of a sustainable pool heating solution. The unit comes complete with a seven-year warranty and is available now to purchase from Golden Coast.
“Fairland has been doing some great things in the field of sustainable pool heating for a while now,” Ellie explains. “If you’re concerned about the environmental impact of your swimming pool setup, the X20 is seriously worth considering.” Before Lighthouse became the UK distributor for Polytropic in 2023, they had been following the company’s success in Europe for some time.
Based in Lyon, France Polytropic is a recognized specialist in thermodynamics and pool heating who produce a complete range of heat pumps and dehumidifiers that are renowned for their reliability and energy efficiency. “They are the leading supplier of Heat Pumps in Europe for good reason, says Lighthouse’s Daniel Phillips.
“They are a dynamic, and modern company whose products not only meet but surpass all the European technical and ecological certification. “Their after-sales support is impressive with the unique remote monitoring system offering complete peace of mind for both the consumer and pool company.” Lighthouse Pools stock the complete range of Polytropic heat pumps, whose sleek designs boast high COP rates, low noise and clever operating modes.
All these essentials adjust automatically, according to the air and water temperature, using inverter technology to draw as little power as is necessary to ensure optimum operating capacity. The pumps are controlled by an easy-to-use APP called Polyconnect and the user interfaces on the machines themselves have been designed to be simple and intuitive to operate.
There are different ranges to suit all pools sizes from the compact and discrete Ottimo, perfect for tight spaces, through to the RAK inverter for larger commercial settings. “What this means, in real terms, is that not only can we assist setting up the heat pump remotely but later on, if a customer calls with a problem, for example, a problem with water flow, we can quickly assess and help fix the issue from the office which will save an avoidable call out for the pool company,” says Phil Savage, Lighthouse’s Technical After-Sales Advisor.
“We are finding this extra level of service gives the customer extra peace of mind and is a valuable sway in the initial product purchase.” The Paramount Pools team favour the Aquark brand that boasts a purpose-made display unit where the front and top panels are made from clear plastic enabling the consumer to see internal parts and how the heat works.
With side vents, and an access panel for evaporator cleaning, Paramount offer one model, Mr Perfect, by Aquark Technologies, available in four sizes that can be tailor-matched to suit The client’s budget. What is more, all Paramount heat pumps come with a standard five-year parts warranty but this can be upgraded to include a three or five year labour warranty too.
Say Steve Martin: “Mr Perfect’s technology is unique as we there is no visible axial fan on show. Instead, a hidden paddle fan system incorporating Inverpad technology, produces a silent, high-end COP performance “We know that 70% all failures on refrigeration units are attributed to electrical faults,” Steve points out. “Aquark’s unique diagnostic panel enables the pool technician to easily diagnose and replace any item immediately.
MARKET FAVOURITE
With a hard-earned reputation for providing high-quality pool products, Plastica’s Heatseeker® Inverter Heat Pumps have been a market favourite for years, known for both reliability and performance. The new Inverter range of Heatseeker® heat pumps is designed to compete at the top end of the market, offering enhanced efficiency and advanced features.
By introducing the Pentair InverTemp-FL heat pumps to complement their existing Heatseeker® range, Plastica ensures that customers have access to the most advanced and reliable heat pump solutions on the market.
The 12.5 kW model is suitable for pools up to 50m3, with a running current of 11.18-4.99A and noise levels of 58-47dB while the 17 kW model is specified for pools up to 70m3, with a running current of 15.41-5.15A and noise levels of 58-52dB. The top range 21 kW model is the ideal choice for pools up to 85m3, with a running current of 17.82- 7.5A and noise levels of 58-52dB.
GLOBAL CHOICES
Ocea UK understand the importance of having the backing of the manufacturer and supplier of a product, especially when it comes to new models they are not yet familiar with. Replacement parts are in stock at Ocea’s Oxfordshire warehouse should they be required and a trained service team offering national coverage are ready to assist if needed.
Averaging 15 x quieter than other heat pumps, Ocea’s model comes with Mitsubishi twin-rotary compressor with special soundproofing minimising background noise. The handy touch control display shows real time power consumption and you can also operate it via Wi-Fi for live monitoring and control. The range starts at 10KW all the way up to 35KW and the entire range enjoys the same exclusive benefits, with COP up to 16. Each model has three modes of Turbo, Smart and Silence.
“We are so confident in our heat pump that we are exclusively offering this one range and haven’t taken a ‘pick ‘n’ mix’ approach where quality gets lost through quantity of choice in various models,” explains Ocea’s Natasha Seeney. “Our knowledgeable team are ready and waiting and our UK warehouse is proudly stocked with the full range, and we know end-user customers are going to love it!”
COMPANY CONTACTS
Certikin
Tel. 01993 777200
www.certikin.co.uk
Golden Coast
Tel. 01272 378 100
www.goldenc.com
Ocea UK
Tel. 01993 707910
E. sales@oceacovers.com
www.oceauk.com
Paramount Pools
Tel. 01256 748380
E. sales@paramountpools.co.uk
www.paramountpools.co.uk
Plastica Pools
Tel. 01424 857857
www.plasticapools.net
