Do I need to heat my pool?

If you find that you’re not able to enjoy your pool as often as you’d like, heating it will increase your usage and the pleasure you get from owning your pool.  After the investment of paying for, building and then maintaining a pool, don’t be stuck looking at a cold pool.

Is it expensive to operate a heat pump? Will it cost a lot on my power bill?

Fortunately, a heat pump is one of the most cost effective and affordable ways to heat your pool. To run the heat pump year round at a temperature of 85 degrees, on average, costs around $1000 for the entire year. Add a pool blanket and you can cut the cost more than half. These are average and general costs – to determine your usage and costs, there are sizing and cost guides. A GulfStream representative can also give you more detailed information based on your pool’s unique information and the cost of electricity in your area.

How does a heat pump work? Where does the heat come from?

A pool heater works on a simple process like an air conditioner in reverse, which begins by transferring any available heat from the air into the heat pump. The evaporator coil, or ribbed “fins” that wrap around the unit draw this heat from the air. This heat is introduced to refrigerant liquid and pushed through a compressor where it gets super heated. The heated refrigerant then passes through our rifled titanium heat exchanger. Your pool water then passes over the titanium tubing with a rushing, turbulating effect in our “tube in tube” configuration. ALL of the pool water is exposed to the super heated titanium tubing, which heats the pool water. It then flows back into your pool and you can begin enjoying and relaxing in your comfortable, heated pool.

What makes one heat pump better than another? Why should I choose a GulfStream?

The GulfStream pool heater is manufactured using the most advanced and state of the art computerized testing stations in the industry. It is designed to run efficiently. Our high efficiency translates to your finacial savings. It utilizes the most powerful heat exchanger available insuring the greatest rate of heat transfer. Aside from its efficiency and performance the GulfStream also incorporates many other features that make it a pleasure to use and own. Our low speed fan makes it the most quiet heat pump available. The dual spa and pool thermostat and easy to read display board displays in plain language not cryptic codes.  All pool heaters heat pools, the difference is in how well they operate, and how much they cost to operate. If you were choosing to drive from Florida to New York – suppose you have a choice between an old pick up truck and a new, fuel efficient, automobile. The old pick up truck may indeed get you from Florida to New York, how much will it cost you in gas? How efficiently will it operate? Will it break down often? Will it work how and when you want, and will you be comfortable while using it?

What is the difference between a heat pump and other ways to heat your pool?

There are various ways to heat your pool and it’s important to understand your options so you make the best choice for you and your family’s swimming needs.

  • A heat pump – considering cost, reliability, efficiency and usage tends to be the most cost effective and dependable.
  • Solar energy, also a reliable and very cost effective way to heat a pool. It involves installing several solar panels on your roof and is subject to the presence of the sun.
  • Natural gas or Liquid propane heaters heat pools and spas quickly and under any weather conditions. The cost to operate these however is very expensive, costing 4-7 times more to operate than a heat pump.

There are some scenarios where it makes sense to utilize a combination of heating methods, depending on your needs and pool usage. Your pool professional or GulfStream representative can give you detailed information to meet your specific needs.

What does COP, or Coefficiency of Performance mean? What does that number mean to my operating cost?

COP is a term specifically used in heat transfer to describe the efficiency of any device transferring heat. All heaters are compared to a standard form of heating called resistance heating. Resistance heat is transferred by passing water over a red-hot coil (like in your hot water tank or toaster oven). This form of heating is constant and has a COP of 1 (one). The COP of all heaters are compared to this standard, so a COP of 6.21 means that the heater is 6.21 times more efficient than resistant heating. If you compare that same heater to one with a COP of 4.14, a heater with a COP of 6.21 would be 50% more efficient.If comparing to the automobile, this is the miles per gallon. The higher the number the less it will cost to operate.

How long will my heat pump last?

Heat pumps can last as long as the main components of the unit remain operational. In Florida The Hi-5 Model provides a 5 year parts and labor warranty , All other models provide in FL are 5 years parts and 2 years labor ,  2 years outside Florida and all units come with a lifetime warranty on the titanium heat exchanger. Your GulfStream Heat Pump may outlast these warranties.

What is your warranty? What does it protect me from?

GulfStream has the best warranty in the industry. There are no exclusions for unbalanced water chemistry like many other heaters. Please review our warranty in and out of the state of Florida.

View Warranty

What if I need assistance with my heater once it’s installed?

If you ever need assistance or have a question, simply contact us.  Just call Yamil at 954.318.6900954.318.6900 or email him at Yamil@gulfstreamheatpump.com.   You will need to have your units serial number.  We’ll ask for this serial number, because it identifies YOUR individual unit. We’ll know exactly the day and time that specific unit was manufactured and this will help us assist you with any questions. If your issue or question cannot be resolved via the phone, a technician will be dispatched to your location to attend to your unit within 24 – 48 hours. 

Why does my pool “lose” heat? Can a blanket help retain heat?

Your pool’s heat loss is directly related to the pools surface area due to evaporative heat loss. By using a pool cover your operational cost of using a heat pump can be cut by more than 50%. It will also reduce evaporative loss of water out of your pool.

How do I know what size heat pump is right for my pool?

Many factors affect the need for heat in your pool. Factors such as pool size, temperature needs, water features (fountains, spas, waterfalls, etc.), blanket use and other factors contribute to properly sizing your pool. Upon inspection an experienced pool technician will be able to calculate your needs.   Contact us if you would like help sizing your pool for the correct heat pump.

I want to know more about the manufacturing and the company behind the GulfStream Swimming Pool Heat Pumps.

GulfStreams are made in North Fort Myers, Florida by G&F Manufacturing. We are a third generation family run company and has been heating pools for over 25 years.