The classic heat pump versus the inverter heat pump

What are the differences between On/Off and Inverter heat pump?

What is a swimming pool heat pump? To answer this question, you need to know the main function of the pool heat pump: heating the water. Whether the pump is On/Off or Inverter, they both use clean, free and inexhaustible energy: ambient air. The major feature that differentiates them lies in the mode of operation of the devices. The Inverter heat pump is an evolution of the On/Off heat pump.

The main operating principle of swimming pool heat pumps

The specificity of these two heat pumps lies in the heating method. Indeed, the "classic" heat pump will heat the water intermittently, with a constant operating power throughout its cycle. The heat pump gives all its power to reach the set temperature; the compressor runs at full speed and at the same speed until it reaches the programmed degree target, then it stops. The water cools, so the heat pump restarts at full power and then switches off. This type of operation causes intensity peaks, higher electricity consumption and more or less variable water temperature.

Inverter heat pump technology is last generation. The Inverter heat pump starts gradually. The water heats up quickly. Approaching the set range, the compressor has a lower rotation speed which adapts to the programmed thermal needs. As a result, the heat pump consumes the right amount of energy to heat the water. This technique makes it possible to reduce the intensity and stabilize the operation so as to keep the water at an almost constant temperature. The heat pump operates continuously.

The comparison between classic heat pump and Inverter

If the On/Off swimming pool heat pump works in relation to a defined degree of temperature, the Inverter heat pump works on a heating range.

The classic heat pump is very reliable but it has a duration shorter life than the Inverter. This is due to sudden and repeated starts.

Thanks to a new mode of operation, the Inverter heat pump allows a reduction of between 10 to 20% in electricity consumption compared to a conventional heat pump.

The technological developments made to the Inverter heat pump allow higher COPs. The electrical consumption/heat output ratio is improved and the device's performance is superior to that of a "classic" swimming pool heat pump.

As the compressor turns more slowly, the heat pump Inverter heat is less noisy than the older generation. A Full Inverter heat pump is even quieter because the compressor and the fan move more slowly.

The classic heat pump is less expensive to purchase than an Inverter pump which benefits from the latest innovations.

The Inverter heat pump requires continuous operation and is slaved to the filtration pump. As a result, the pool filtration system operates continuously. It therefore makes sense to use a swimming pool pump with variable speeds, which significantly limits energy expenditure and consumption.

Ultimately, the Inverter heat pump is an evolution of the pump conventional heat. It makes it possible to modulate the useful power according to the rise in temperature of the water. The heating progress is automatically controlled for better efficiency. The performance of the device is improved while allowing owners to achieve substantial energy and financial savings.

Discover all the ranges of heat pumps distributed by WPool.

To find out more about the different types of swimming pool heat pumps on the market, find out what is an On/Off heat pump and an Inverter heat pump and what is a 4-season swimming pool heat pump or reversible. Understand the differences between a horizontal or vertical heat pump and choose the heat pump that best suits your needs by having an overview of all the types of existing heat pumps summarized in the table of heat pump characteristics for swimming pools.