Filter
Top Products
13
Minimum Ideal Maximum
Free chlorine* 1.0
pool 1.0-3.0
spa 3.0-5.0
pool 3.0
spa 10.0
Combined chlorine* None None 0.2
Bromine* 2.0
pool 2.0-4.0
spa 3.0-5.0
pool 4.0
spa 10.0
pH 7.2 7.4 - 7.6 7.8
Total alkalinity* 80 80-120 150
Total dissolved solids* 300 1000-2000 3000
Calcium hardness* 150 200-400 500-1000
Cyanuric acid* 10 30-50 150
Salt* (salt chlorinator) None None 3000
WATER MAINTENANCE
Why Perform Water Maintenance?
Contrary to traditional heat pumps that treat air only, pool heat pumps deal with water and
are much more sensitive. This is mainly caused by water chemistry. Only you, the owner of the
heat pump, can control the chemistry of your swimming pool water to avoid premature degradation
of your pool heat pump.
Water Chemistry
Many chemicals are used to control the quality of swimming pool water. We use different
types of chlorine or bromine to control microorganisms and algae. We also use various products
to regulate pH and other aspects of the water chemistry. Every product added produces an
effect on water chemistry that must often be balanced with other chemical products. For example,
trichlor addition induces a diminution of pH and of total alkalinity (TA). We must balance those
effects by adding sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
Some organizations, like the NSPI (National Spa & Pool Institute), publish standards on
pool water chemistry. Those standards are made to protect swimmers and swimming pool
equipments, particularly their metal parts, copper, steel and even stainless steel, that will corrode
under the effect of bad chemistry. Generally, if the equipment can be damaged by bad chemistry,
this can also be a health hazard. (See the following table for the standards.)
Your heat pump, just as any type of pool heater (gas, oil, electric, etc.), features some
metal parts that can be damaged by bad chemistry. The condenser of your pool heat pump is
made of a copper alloy that, as resistant as it is, is sensitive to pH. That is why we strongly
recommend testing the quality of the pool water regularly. These controls must be made on a
weekly basis and must at least feature the following: chlorine or bromine, pH and TA. Moreover,
Table 1: Chemical Products Concentration in Pool Water Standard
*Ppm: parts per million