FAQ's

Swimming Pool Heat Pumps – FAQ

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

The size of the heat pump depends on your pool volume, whether you use a cover, how sheltered the pool is and the water temperature you’re aiming for. As a rule, larger, exposed pools and higher target temperatures need more kW. Use our swimming pool heat pump calculator for an estimated KW sizing

How long will it take to heat my pool from cold?

It varies, but most correctly sized heat pumps will take several days to bring a cold pool up to temperature – particularly in the spring and autumn “shoulder seasons”, when you can get mild daytime temperatures but cold nights that pull a lot of heat back out of the water. Once you’re up to temperature, the heat pump is mainly maintaining it by topping up daily and overnight heat losses rather than heating from scratch. Using a good-quality pool cover makes a huge difference to heat-up time and running costs, especially overnight.

Do I still need a pool cover if I have a heat pump?

Yes – a cover is still very important, for both outdoor and indoor pools.

For an outdoor pool, a solar/bubble cover helps in two big ways: it gives free solar gain when the sun’s out and massively reduces evaporation, so the water keeps its heat for longer. That means your heat pump doesn’t have to work as hard, and you lose less water and chemicals. Humidity isn’t usually a building issue outdoors, but evaporation is still where most of your heat is lost.

On an indoor pool, a cover is essential whenever the pool isn’t in use. It slashes evaporation, which reduces the load on the dehumidifier and ventilation system, helps prevent condensation and damage to the building, and still improves heat retention and chemical use. Even with a correctly sized heat pump, running uncovered will almost always mean higher bills and more strain on the system.

Do you only work on new installations, or can you replace an older heater?

We’re happy to do both. We can replace older or failed heaters like gas boilers, direct-electric heaters or tired heat pumps, and we’ll advise whether repair or replacement is the more sensible long-term option for your particular pool and usage.

Dehumidifiers & Air Handling Units – FAQ

Why is humidity control so important in an indoor swimming pool?

Warm pool water constantly evaporates into the air. If the humidity in the pool hall isn’t controlled, that moisture condenses on windows, steelwork and hidden cold surfaces. Over time this leads to peeling paint, rotting timbers, corrosion and mould, as well as a clammy, uncomfortable environment. A correctly sized dehumidifier or AHU keeps humidity in a safe range and protects the building. Use our dehumidifier calculator for an estimated calculation on how many litres a day your pool could be losing in evaporation

What’s the rule of thumb for pool air temperature vs water temperature?

A good rule of thumb is to keep the air temperature about 1–2°C warmer than the pool water. That helps keep the moisture “in” the water rather than constantly evaporating into the air, which reduces humidity problems and makes the pool hall feel more comfortable. Your dehumidifier or AHU settings should be set up with this in mind.

How often should an indoor pool dehumidifier or AHU be serviced?

As a minimum, we recommend a full service once a year. That usually ties in with manufacturer recommendations and helps keep warranties valid. In heavy-use commercial pools, or where the environment is particularly aggressive (high chemical load, coastal air, etc.), it can be sensible to service more frequently. Regular servicing keeps coils clean, airways clear, drains flowing and controls set correctly.

Can you repair dehumidifiers and AHUs, or do you only install new ones?

We do both. We can fault-find and repair issues with compressors, fans, controls and sensors, and we carry out F-Gas-compliant leak checks and repairs on systems that use refrigerant. If an existing unit is beyond economical repair, we’ll explain why and give realistic options for replacement rather than just recommending a new system as a first resort.

Service & Maintenance – FAQ

How often should my heat pump or air conditioning system be serviced?

In most cases, once a year is the minimum we recommend. That’s usually what manufacturers expect to keep warranties valid and to make sure the system stays safe and efficient. Where systems are heavily used (for example a busy indoor pool, a commercial site or equipment running almost 24/7), more frequent servicing can be sensible. We’re happy to advise a schedule based on how your system is actually used.

How often does my system need an F-Gas leak check?

Legally, F-Gas leak check frequency depends on how much refrigerant is in the system, expressed in tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, and the thresholds are set in UK F-Gas regulations. In simple terms:

Systems below 5 tonnes CO₂-eq don’t have a mandatory leak-check interval.
From 5 to <50 tonnes CO₂-eq, you must leak-check at least once a year.
From 50 to <500 tonnes CO₂-eq, checks are required at least every 6 months.
At 500 tonnes CO₂-eq or more, checks are required at least every 3 months, and fixed leak detection is mandatory.

In practice, we usually carry out an annual leak check as part of your service and advise you if your particular system needs more frequent checks under the F-Gas rules. If you’re unsure what category your equipment falls into, we can calculate it for you.

What’s the difference between a routine service and a breakdown call-out?

A service is planned work: we inspect, clean, test and optimise the system to prevent problems, improve efficiency and keep you compliant. A call-out is reactive: the system has already developed a fault, isn’t heating or cooling properly, or is showing an error code. Ideally, good servicing reduces the need for emergency call-outs, but we offer both.

What do you actually check during a service?

On a typical service we will:

Check the general condition of the unit, pipework and insulation
Inspect electrical connections and safety devices
Clean filters, coils and drain routes where applicable
Check system pressures, temperatures and operating readings
Carry out F-Gas leak checks where required
Confirm control settings and timings are sensible for how you use the system

You’ll get clear feedback on any issues we find and practical advice on repairs or improvements.

Do you offer ongoing service plans?

Yes. For many customers we set up annual or twice-yearly visits, so servicing and leak checks are booked automatically. That keeps systems running efficiently, helps avoid unexpected breakdowns at the worst possible time and makes it easier to stay on top of manufacturer and F-Gas requirements.

Domestic heat pumps – FAQ

Can you service the heat pump that runs my home’s heating and hot water?

Yes. We regularly service domestic air-source and ground-source heat pumps that provide space heating and domestic hot water. A typical visit includes checking how the system has been set up (flow temperatures, weather compensation, cylinder temperatures, timings and zoning), inspecting indoor and outdoor units, testing pumps, valves and sensors, and confirming that safety and legionella controls are working correctly. We’ll also look at noise levels, energy use and any error history, then give you clear feedback on how the system is performing and whether any changes or repairs would improve comfort, running costs or reliability.

How often should my domestic heat pump be serviced?

For most homes we recommend a full service once a year. That normally keeps you in line with manufacturer recommendations and helps protect your warranty. In properties where the heat pump works particularly hard (poor insulation, high hot water demand, or systems running almost constantly), more frequent checks can be sensible. Regular servicing helps keep efficiency up, spots issues early and reduces the risk of breakdowns in the middle of winter.

Why does the outdoor unit ice up in cold weather? Is that a fault?

Some frost or ice on the outdoor unit in cold, damp weather is completely normal. The unit periodically goes into a defrost cycle to melt this ice and keep the coil clear. If the unit is heavily iced all the time, making unusual noises or struggling to heat the house, then it may indicate an issue with defrost control, airflow, sensors or refrigerant charge – in that case it’s worth booking a check.

My house feels cool and my bills seem high – can you check if it’s set up correctly?

Yes. A lot of domestic heat pumps are technically “working” but not set up as well as they could be. We can review flow temperatures, weather compensation curves, room stats, hot-water schedules and any backup heaters, then fine-tune the settings. Small changes here can make a big difference to comfort and running costs, especially when combined with a proper service and any recommended tweaks to the system.

Areas we cover

We’re based in Seaford on the East Sussex coast and cover most of East and West Sussex for heat pump, swimming pool, air conditioning and dehumidifier work.

Our core service area runs along the coast from around Hastings across to Chichester, and inland across the South Downs and surrounding towns and villages.

Typical areas we cover include (but aren’t limited to):

Seaford, Eastbourne, Brighton, Hove, Lewes, Newhaven, Peacehaven, Saltdean, Rottingdean, Shoreham-by-Sea, Lancing, Worthing, Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, Chichester, Arundel, Uckfield, Crowborough, Polegate, Hailsham, Heathfield, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Hassocks, Horsham, Crawley, Bexhill-on-Sea and Hastings.

We also work in many of the smaller villages and rural locations across East Sussex and West Sussex, especially around the South Downs National Park. If you’re just outside the towns listed above, please get in touch with your postcode – if it’s practical for us to reach you, we’ll usually be able to help or at least point you in the right direction.

Book a survey or service

If you’d like us to look at an existing dehumidifier, or you’re planning a new indoor pool and need advice on humidity control, please get in touch.

Include:
• Size and type of pool hall
• Details of any existing dehumidifier (make/model if known)
• Your location and preferred timescales

We’ll come back to you with options and next steps.