Yes, bigger is better. The cost of a bigger unit is very close to the smaller units.

In Southern Florida, I would look into the AquaCal Heat pumps. They have a really good dealer service network down there.

my pool will be about 18,000 gallons. Will the 105,000 BTU heat pump do the job ?

FLETCH

what brand?
i think u need a bigger heat pump
my pool is about the same and i am thinking about the AQUACAL SQ155 with 133000 BTU

Aquacal H120, its actually 110,000 BTU. I live in orlando so I am being told that should be enough. Anyone ?

how much does the SQ155 cost?just to get an idea

Being in southern Florida, you might want to reconsider the heat only solution in favor of one that does both. Your pool will get hot in the summer and stay hot in the evening hours. 90 degree plus water is not unusual in the summer there.

Scott

The going rate online is ~$4295.00

I have consdered one with a chiller but wonder how much it would actually get used. So I am now at 110K btu's. Do I raise the Btu's($700) or add a chiller ($1,000) or do both for $1700.

quote" The going rate online is ~$4295.00 "quote

If a homeowner can pick up either an AquaCal H155R or a Jandy AE3000 with the chiller option at this pricing, JUMP ON IT!!!

These are the same prices I pay at my cost. They're both AWESOME appliances.

See ya,
Kelly

Kelly you should look into the ultra temp. It's about 1k less

Also on another note rheem, and raypak are blowing out their R-22 units for under 3k wholesale.

are the rheems and raypaks any good?

We have an affordable and reliable solution with evaporative cooling technology. For product summary, details and introductory video clip, see http://swimcoolsystems.com, or call Alan at 760.200.1090, on Skype at "swimcool1".

Here is a link that might be useful: Swim Cool Systems

posting links to business is a NO NO

yup you got to help pep's but not a lot I guess that's how it works here . I is a good site though :)

To those with business interests or other contributors

You can put you email on your page. Then you can offer to have someone email you. Business can then be conducted off line and not go against the spirit of this forum.

Scott

thanks guys for all your help.
i have made my mind as to which heat pump to buy
the winner is AQUACAL SQ155

fletch,

- It takes 1 BTU of energy to raise the temp of 1 pound of water by 1 degree F
- If you know volume in cubic feet, convert to gallons by multiplying CF by 7.48
- To convert gallons to pounds: multiply gallons by 8.33

Example:
- H120 @ 110,000 BTU
- 20,000 Gallons = 166,600 pounds. Therefore, 166,600 BTUs are required to raise temp of pool 1 degree F (assumes no heat losses)
- Compute duration of heat pump (HP) on time for 1 degree temp rise:
(Required BTU) / (HP BTU) = 166,600 / 110,000 = 1.51 hours

We went with the H155 (we're in Orlando) because we have a spa, and needed the biggest HP we could get (did not want gas). Hope this helps.

-Gorilla

You can't size a heat pump like that because the output is dynamic. It depends on air temperature, humidity, and water temperature. The lower of any of these ranges the less BTU the heat pump puts out.

You also have to factor in loss from wind, and ambient temperature; and if the pool is covered or not.

Gorilla,

Where do you live in orlando ? I actually live in Oviedo. I have decided on the SQ 135 which is 125,000BTU's. I spoke to Aquacal and they said the 120 should have been fine even with our Spa so I hope the SQ135 is a good choice. Can I ask you a few questions
1. How many gallons is your pool ?
2. How long does it take to raise your spa from say 70 to 100 degrees ?
3. How much would you estimate the elece runs you in the feb-apr and oct-nov months when it does the most heating ?
I pretty much don't swin Dec and Jan

i picked the sq155 because i think i got it for a price i could not pass.

I paid $400 more for the Sq135 from the sq120. The sq155 would have been an additional $400 and the first bump I got 15,000BTUs, going to the sq155 is only 10,000 more

another plus for the SQ155 it uses the earth friendly R-410a refrigerant
are we allowed to post pricing?

Not just earth friendly but will be available in 10 years, I can't say that about the R-22 units.

Pentair has used R-410a from day 1.