Winterizing A Swimming Pool Heat Pump To Extend Your Pool Season

Summer is sadly coming to an end. Therefore, it’s time to get your swimming pool equipment ready for the upcoming winter. In this article we will focus on winterizing your AquaCal^® heat pump. Failure to winterize your heat pump may result in serious freeze damage not covered under warranty. Because of this, in areas where freezing conditions are prevalent and sustained, winterizing your heat pump is a must! Additionally, when you winterize your heat pump it can allow you to extend your pool season by lowering the heat pumps temperature limit. Depending on your heat pump model and it’s manufacture date, there are different methods for winterizing. Let us go over some of them based on heat pump type.

External Drain Plug

1. Disconnect power turn *OFF* circulation pump.
2. Disconnect plumbing unions.
3. Remove drain plug.
4. Allow water to drain out over a long period until heat pump is fully drained.
5. Re-connect external drain plug.
6. Loosely connect plumbing connection unions.

Titanium Exchanger (with Internal Drain)

1. Disconnect power turn *OFF* circulation pump.
2. Remove front access panel. Confirm heat exchanger inside heat pump matches illustration.
3. Disconnect plumbing unions.
4. Remove drain plug.
5. Allow water to drain out over a long period until heat pump is fully drained.
6. Re-connect external drain plug.
7. Loosely connect plumbing connection unions.

Titanium Tube-in-Tube Exchanger/Cupronickel Tube-in-Tube Exchanger

These heat exchangers are the most challenging to properly winterize.

1. Disconnect plumbing unions.
2. Place garden hose into the inlet used of the heat pump wrap a clean rag around the hose to form a temporary
   seal.
3. Allow water to run through the heat exchanger for 2-3 minutes until fresh water exits the pools out-port.
4. Repeat process on outlet side.
5. Place an air hose into the pool inlet of the heat pump and wrap a clean rag around the hose to form a temporary seal.
6. Push all water from the water circuit using compressed air at approximately 50 PSIG. Force the residual water out of the pool out connection.
7. Allow compressed air to blow into the heat pump inlet for at least 15-20 seconds after water stops coming out of the pool outlet.
8. Repeat process on outlet side.
9. Loosely connect plumbing connection unions.

Titanium Exchanger (with no Drain)

1.Disconnect power turn *OFF* circulation pump.
2.Remove front access panel. Confirm heat exchanger inside heat pump matches illustration.
3.Disconnect plumbing unions. This model is self-draining when unions are disconnected.
4.Allow water to drain out over a long period until heat pump is fully drained.
5.Loosely connect plumbing connection unions.

Being prepared is always half the battle! However, if you follow the above steps for winterizing your heat pump you will be ready for the winter months. Above all, this will save you from costly damages to your swimming pool heat pump. As always, feel free to contact us should you have any additional questions or if you need further help, comments or suggestions are always welcome!