7 Best Pool Heat Pumps for Australia [2024 Update] (2024)

Looking for the best pool heat pump in Australia?

If you’re lucky enough to have a pool in your backyard, then you know that besides being a godsend in the dead of summer, they also sit unused for several months each year during colder weather.

But if you’re ready to change that, a pool heat pump is an environmentally friendly, low operating cost solution that will have you enjoying your pool year-round. We’ve put together this complete buying guide covering the most eco-friendly and all around best pool heat pumps for Australians (read on below).

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The Short Answer

We know you’d rather be enjoying your pool than shopping online, so we won’t waste any of your time. Here are the 6 best pool heat pumps that money can buy for Australians looking to heat their pool in an economically and environmentally friendly way.

The Madimack Elite Heat Pump has two features that are completely unmatched: style & power. With a three-phase model that includes a 35kW heating capacity, the Madimack Elite can heat a pool quicker than just about any other heat pump on the market.

In terms of style, no one does it better than Madimack with its anti-corrosive aluminum alloy casing and sleek black on black design. The durable shell features a side exhaust, making it barely noticeable and able to fit into any backdrop. Plus, the Madimack Elite Heat Pump is one of the most silent products on the market, you’ll hardly notice it’s there.

Beyond this, the -10°C to 45℃ operating temperature range and automatic reverse cycle frost protection make the Madimack Elite Heat Pump suitable for most climates. While the COP of 10 is still very impressive, this unit may be more expensive to run than other heat pumps. Thankfully, the titanium heat exchanger is guaranteed with a 25-year warranty.

The EvoHeat Force-i Pool Heat Pump is the latest and greatest product from the well-known Australian owned and operated manufacturer. With easy wireless control and a coefficient of performance up to 16.28 (yes you read that correctly), the EvoHeat Force-i is the most efficient and easy to use pool heat pump on the market today.

EvoHeat has a stellar reputation for top of the line customer service, and the warranties to match. In the Force-i, Evo Heat includes a 25-year warranty on the titanium heat exchanger, as well as a 5-year warranty on the compressor. With these top of the line guarantees, your investment remains safe with this heat pump.

While the EvoHeat Force-i may require an expensive initial investment, it’s efficiency makes it very cheap to operate. Plus, it provides stable performance at temperatures as low as -15℃, which makes it a year-round option for most Australian pool owners.

Before we return to EvoHeat (and other great pool heat pumps), Madimack also manufactures the Summer ECO Heat Pump, which is a good option for some Australian pool owners. Although it is equipped to operate in temperatures of -10℃ to 45℃, the Madimack Summer ECO is a wise investment for three-season pool owners or those in areas where it is warm most of the year.

The Madimack Summer Eco comes with most of the premium features that are included in the Madimack Elite, such as frost protection, sleek design, and a 25-year warranty. As a bonus, the Summer Eco’s compressor is warrantied for 5 years, whereas the Elite is only warrantied for 3. The Summer Eco is also offered at a much lower price point in most areas of the country.

While the COP is able to just reach about 8, the Summer ECO has distinct operating modes that allow it to deliver long periods of efficient warming to keep operating costs low. With its built-in protection features on top of it all, the Summer ECO is a smart economical and environmental choice for sustainable pool heating.

Next, we’d like to return to our number one manufacturer of pool heat pumps in Australia: EvoHeat. For those that can afford it, the EvoHeat Fusion-i Pool Heat Pump is another exceptional model from the domestic company. The Fusion-i series is generally available for less upfront cost than the Force-i, with most of the positive attributes slightly dialed back.

To start, the Fusion-i has COPs up to 12.57, which is only outranked on this list by our number one pick. It is also backed by a 25-year warranty on the titanium heat exchanger (only 3-year for the compressor) and operates at near-silent noise levels. The Fusion is compact and able to fit in very tight spaces in confined outdoor living areas.

While the Fusion-i is still a fully functional, highly-efficient heat pump, those shopping for the best way to heat a pool may enjoy the features of another model. For example, the EvoHeat Fusion-i does not have Wifi-control capabilities and is encased in an ABS material, rather than something more durable. It is also slightly limited by small operating temperature ranges and lower overall heating capacity.

While we didn’t choose the EvoHeat Advanced DHP-R as our number 1 recommendation, it is one of the highest performing products on the market today. In fact, one of the only reasons we chose not to give it the number one spot is due to the fact that the product is so good that most people will be paying for features they don’t need.

Let’s get this straight: the EvoHeat Advanced DHP-R is essentially a commercial-grade pool heater that can deliver premium performance in your own backyard. The DHP-R is protected by a stainless steel cabinet that is unfazed by splashes from the pool and includes built-in frost and corrosion protection. Users can control the heat pump via the on-board LCD screen or via a smartphone thanks to the built-in WiFi system.

Despite its low COPs (up to 5.4), the dual-fan system within the Advanced DHP-R makes it economically feasible for steady temperatures over time. It is not as silent as many of the other heat pumps featured on the list, however, if you’ve got the largest pool on the block, the Advanced DHP-R may be the best choice.

Lastly, if you are looking for a high-quality pool heat pump that fits within a tight budget, we recommend checking out the Hayward EnergyLine Pro Inverter Heat Pump. Hayward’s Enegline Line Pro Inverter heat pumps have a great operating temperature range and an equally impressive average COP. With multiple operating modes and quiet performance, the EnergyLine Pro Inverter heat pump can dramatically reduce utility costs to heat a pool.

Here, the main drawback of choosing a Hayward EnergyLine Pro has to do with warranties and customer service. Although they have an Australian branch of business, Hayward is an American company, which means that customer service abroad may not be their top priority. Many online reviews have indicated that this is such.

Plus, there is only a 10-year warranty on the heat exchanger, whereas all of the other heat pumps on this list feature a 25-year warranty. So although the initial asking price may be lower than most other heat pumps, proper maintenance, and routine checkups may be required to ensure a healthy lifespan beyond the first decade.

What To Look for In the Best Pool Heat Pumps

If you are stuck between a few of the pool heat pumps above, there are many things to consider when evaluating products head to head.

Coefficient of Performance

One of the first things you should know when shopping for the best pool heat pump is the unit’s coefficient of performance. Commonly referred to simply as “COP” or “C.O.P.”, the coefficient of performance is a ratio that compares the amount of useful energy produced to the amount of energy consumed.

A heat pump’s coefficient of performance will vary depending on the ambient temperature around it. When manufacturers advertise a heat pump’s COP, typically it is shown in ideal operating conditions.

Above all else, it is important to understand that a high coefficient of performance represents lower operating costs. If a heat pump is able to generate 10-15 times the amount of energy that it consumes, it will significantly lower the cost to heat a pull compared to active gas heating.

Operating Range Temperatures

As we’ve already mentioned, the ambient temperature in the air around a heat pump will affect the machine’s ability to efficiently increase the temperature of water in a pool (or a hot tub for that matter). In some cases, low temperatures may cause heat pumps to fail entirely, which often results in costly repairs or total replacements.

If you live in a climate with temperatures below freezing, then it is very important to check the operating range temperature of a heat pump before you purchase it. Many advanced models on this list have built-in frost protection to prevent damage to the system in extremely low temps.

Size and Shape

Next, it is important to consider the size and shape of a pool heat pump before ultimately having a system installed. Even within the different models featured on this list, there are a few different sized units available that can end up taking up a large amount of space on your property.

Obviously, pool heat pumps need to be installed outdoors. While they can be incorporated into existing heating systems, options may be limited if there is not a lot of room to work with outside near your pool.

Thankfully, Australian heat pump manufacturers have considered tight city spaces in many of their designs. Specifically engineered, thin pool heat pumps are the solution for confined outdoor areas. Although your system may not be as powerful as you’d like, a small heat pump can still save a significant amount of money on the cost to heat a pool.

Price

Speaking of money, it is impossible to ignore the high price tags on the best pool heat pumps on the market. In truth, not every pool owner has the means to sink a large upfront payment for a high-quality system. For this reason, many people do not consider a heat pump to be a viable option due to product and installation costs.

Of course, what’s critical to understand is that pool heat pumps are designed to save money over time. Although they require maintenance, the primary technology in pool heat pumps is designed to last for decades.

Before writing off a high priced heat pump, it is important to consider the low operating costs of the technology. Compared to traditional gas heating systems, a heat pump can potentially pay for itself multiple times over when evaluating average utility costs.

Rebates or Incentives

To put a little more money back in your pocket, it is wise to explore heat pump options that qualify for local or national rebates or incentives. Certifications for financial rewards not only help save you money, but they are also a fail-safe way to ensure that you are buying a high-quality product.

Because heat pumps significantly reduce energy consumption in a pool heating system, they are considered to be very environmentally friendly. On top of this, some heat pumps are designed to be incorporated directly into PV solar energy systems. Here, Australians can save even more with additional, related green energy rebates or incentives.

Warranties & Customer Support

Next, a pool heat pump’s warranty information should be scrutinized before a purchase is made. Heat pumps are the sum of a few mechanical parts and systems, each of which comes with its own specific warranty. Obviously, long warranty periods on the heat exchanger, compressor, and other components are all important in the event of a system malfunction.

When things do go south, it is also great to have the customer support of a reputable manufacturer. While it may be tempting to choose an unknown or off-brand heat pump at a lower price, a poor decision may end up costing more money to repair or replace in the long run.

For this reason, we recommend diving into a company’s online reviews before purchasing one of their products. If their heat pumps have a reputation for breaking without any promising customer support stories, the brand may have to be avoided entirely.

Noise Levels

Operating noise level is another, often overlooked, feature to consider when evaluating pool heat pumps. No matter how nice the temperature is inside the pool, it can be impossible to enjoy your time outdoors next to a loud, clunky heat pump.

Thankfully, low operating noise levels are a big selling point for manufacturers keeping consumer experience in mind. Although it may not be applicable in all scenarios, a silent heat pump in a confined space is critical for the enjoyment of any pool owner.

Bonus Features

Lastly, heat pump technology continues to innovate, with new products boasting never-before-seen bonus features constantly. In today’s world of interconnection, some modern heat pumps may come with WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity. While this may be an unnecessary expense for some people, few things speak “luxury” quite like controlling the temperature of your pool from your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Heat Pumps (FAQs)

Are pool heat pumps worth it?

When compared to other active heating systems, pool heat pumps are definitely worth it in price and lifetime efficiency. If having a warm pool is important to you throughout the year, water in moderate climates can benefit tremendously from a heat pump installation.

How long does it take to heat a pool with a heat pump?

To determine how long it takes to heat a pool with a heat pump, you must consider the size of the pool and the efficiency of the heater. On average, it generally takes between 24 and 48 hours for a heat pump to increase the pool’s temperature by 10 degrees Celsius.

Can you add a heat pump to an existing pool?

Yes, you can add a heat pump to an existing pool. In fact, many heat pump manufacturers recommend keeping any existing heating framework intact upon installation. Heat pumps are designed to work with and around existing pool heating systems.

Is it cheaper to heat a pool with gas or electricity?

In the long run, it is generally cheaper to heat a pool with an electric heat pump, rather than a gas heater. Heat pumps are manufactured to be very energy efficient and can save over 70 percent of the operating costs for keeping a pool heated to the ideal temperature.

How big of a heat pump do I need for my pool?

It can be quite difficult to calculate the size of a heat pump needed for a pool. The best way to find a solution is to speak with a local installer. If you’re looking for a quick reference, there are many heat pump calculators available online.

How do heat pumps work for pools?

As opposed to a regular pool pump that circulates the water in your pool, Heat pumps work to raise pool temperatures by capturing heat from the ambient air. The air is sent through a series of electric mechanisms, which heats a liquid refrigerant into a warm gas. Water is circulated through the heat pump (next to the gas), where it is heated before it returns to the pool.

Can I use a pool heat pump to heat a natural swimming pool?

In most cases, no, this is not a good idea. Natural swimming pools are delicate ecosystems that are specifically designed to work at certain temperatures, and without lots of outside inputs or variables.

Bottom Line

When considering long-term pool heating solutions, few options are better than a high-efficiency heat pump. While the EvoHeat Force-i is probably the best pool heat pump, all of the other products mentioned above are economically and environmentally friendly ways to keep your pool heated in Australia.