How is the swimming pool heat pump recycled?

Why put your heat pump in landfill?

Thanks to the eco participation included in the sale price of the machine paid by the buyer and the DEEE tax paid by the manufacturer, it is possible to entrust your heat pump to centers specializing in depollution and recycling. Because this electrical and electronic waste cannot be treated like ordinary waste! How to get rid of your obsolete swimming pool heat pump, properly, while respecting the environment and legislation? So choose the right actions to know how to maintain the swimming pool heat pump in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner.

The decontamination process

The swimming pool heat pump is made up of different materials, ferrous metals (≈ 46%), plastic (≈ 18%), copper (≈18%), aluminum (≈ 9%), electronic cards, but also refrigerant and oil.

The oil contained in the compressor as well as the refrigerant are polluting elements, it is therefore necessary to start by decontaminating the device before recycling the swimming pool heat pump .

The heat pump contains the refrigerant which is not dangerous for humans but which seriously harms the environment. It is a danger for groundwater if it spreads to the ground and it contributes to the destruction of the ozone layer. It is therefore important to recover and treat it. Although the operation is simple, it can only be done by a person qualified to handle this fluid. The oil is also punctured.

Recycling the swimming pool heat pump

Once the machine has been cleared of its polluting elements, it is most often crushed in its entirety, sometimes the compressor is removed. Sorting is carried out between ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals and plastics. This makes it possible to treat and recycle each of the sorted groups in a different and appropriate way. Some will have a second life, they will be able to be reworked and reused for the manufacture of other products. This is the case for aluminum, copper, steel, plastic; others will be destroyed by suitable incineration such as the condenser, oil, gas.

Once decontaminated, the heat pump can be recycled at more than 83% of the weight of the machine. By bringing it to specialized centers, it makes it possible to recover electrical and electronic waste, to preserve and significantly limit the consumption of natural resources, and to reduce pollution linked to mining extraction. In addition, this helps contribute to the economic development of the region since the Basel Convention prohibits the export of DEEE outside the European Union.

The swimming pool heat pump is a robust piece of equipment. However, care must be taken to ensure that it maintains its optimal functioning. Here is why maintaining the swimming pool heat pump is very important. Find out what checks the individual should carry out on the swimming pool heat pump or when should a professional work on the swimming pool heat pump? With winter approaching, know how to winterize the swimming pool heat pump properly and how to restart the swimming pool heat pump once spring returns. Finally, be eco-conscious and know what to do with a swimming pool heat pump at the end of its life.