Hayward HP50TA is one of the most popular heat pump for above ground pools up to 13,000 gallons in size. It has been designed with quality components meant to withstand the constant abuse of the elements and resists corrosion from pool chemicals. Buying a pool heater online is almost always cheaper than buying locally.
We hope you find this article useful as we cover the advantages and disadvantages of owning a pool heat pump. Ultimately we want to make sure you invest your money wisely.
Quick Overview | Hayward HP50TA
Features:
- 50,000 BTU Heat Pump for above ground pools.
- 240 Volt Operation
- For above ground pools up to 13,000 gallons.
- Quiet operation.
- Easy to read digital temperature display with electronic frost control and temperature lock-out function.
- 1 1/2″ plumbing connections for easy installation and maximum compatibility.
- Compact footprint allows for easy installation.
- Acoustic compressor cover and profiled fan blade ensures quiet operation and efficient performance.
- Ultra-Gold corrosion resistant evaporator fin for extreme durability
- Titanium heat exchanger designed for maximum heat transfer while being resistant to chemicals.
- Durable injection molded UV-resistant body panels that are impervious to rust and deterioration
Warranty Information: (read more in the manual)
The HAYWARD heat pump pool heater is warranted to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two (2)years for parts and (1) one year for labor. In the state of Florida, warranty labor is covered for (2) years. This warranty is applicable to the original location and owner only and is not transferable. The compressor component has a five (5) year limited warranty with parts and labor warranted the first two (2) years and parts only warranted in years three (3), four (4) and five (5). The titanium tube component of the heat exchanger has a ten (10) year warranty. HAYWARD will not void this warranty due to improper pool chemistry. This warranty is valid only if the product is installed according to the HAYWARD specifications.
Documents for the Hayward HP50TA:
- ✓ View or download the MANUAL or BROCHURE or PARTS LIST.
Note: We recommend you hire a professional pool technician to ensure your Hayward HP50TA is installed correctly, otherwise you may void your warranty if installed incorrectly. It’s not worth the risk.
Introduction | Hayward HP50TA
Having a swimming pool in your garden is one of the greatest luxuries in the world, but you still have one big problem. You’re only allowed to use it for a limited amount of months throughout the year. Can you imagine how you’d feel if you could only drive your car during the summer months? It’s crucial you find a way to heat your pool up when it starts to get cold outside.
If you find a way to heat your pool up it means you’ll be able to use it for at least another 2-3 months of the year. Those living in states with higher temperatures might be able to use their pool 365 days of the year. You’re probably wondering how this can be achieved, so we’re going to look at the top ways people can raise the water temperature of their swimming pool:
- Gas Pool Heater
- Electric Heat Pump
- Solar Pool Heater
— Gas Pool Heater
The gas heater has been around for a long time and it works using either natural gas or propane. Once your pool pump is on it will draw some of the water into a heater, which actually passes through a filter first. When the water reaches the heater it will be warmed up by the gas burning inside the combustion chamber of the heater. When the water has been warmed up it will flow back into the swimming pool. The whole process keeps repeating itself over and over again to keep your pool water comfortable enough to swim in as the outdoor temperature drops.
Hayward H-Series can also be used for Above Ground Pools
— Electric Heat Pump
Nowadays electrical heat pumps like the Hayward HP50TA are without a doubt the most popular units used to heat your pool, but before moving onto its advantages we’ll look at how it works. As long as the temperature in the air is roughly 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit the heat pump will suck in the warm air. Once it’s inside the unit the heat will be transferred to the water before finally being pumped back into your swimming pool. The heat pump is a standalone unit, so even though it uses solar energy it’s not the same as this next pool heater.
— Solar Pool Heater
A solar pool heater does draw its heat in from the air, and once the energy is inside it will be used to warm up your water. To collect the energy in the first place solar panels at least half the size of your pool are required, which will usually be placed on a nearby rooftop so you won’t need to build a raised platform. The name is a little misleading because based on other appliances you would assume the solar energy would give the pool heater its power. In reality, in order for your water temperature to increase your pool pump must be running.
Advantages/Disadvantages | Pool Heat Pump
We’ve already said electric heat pumps like the Hayward HP50TA are the most popular these days, but you’re probably wondering why. Luckily there are actually lots of reasons why you should buy one. We’re going to look at each one in a little detail now to help you make an informed decision, plus to remain as unbiased as possible we’ll look at some of the disadvantages too.
Advantages | Heat Pump
- You’ll Save A Great Deal Of Space
- They Are Much Cheaper To Run
- You Won’t Have To Deal With Gas
- Heat Pumps Last A Lot Longer
- The Pump Doesn’t Need To Be On
- It’s Friendlier On The Environment
You’ll Save A Great Deal Of Space
This is a wonderful advantage when you compare it to solar pool heaters. Using the Hayward HP50TA as an example, its dimensions are 31 x 40 x 35 inches. It’s not what you would consider tiny, but the unit is by no means large. If you want a solar pool heater to work effectively they have to be at least half the size of your pool.
It gets worse because they could easily be required to be the same size as your pool. That is one massive amount of extra space you’ll need even if the solar panels will be placed on the roof. If they need to be placed on a raised platform near the pool it’s going to ruin your garden.
They Are Much Cheaper To Run
Unfortunately heat pumps do need electricity to work, but due to the fact models like the Hayward HP50TA are so advanced they won’t use up a lot of juice. You’re talking roughly $100 per month, and that is if you have a fairly large pool. If you only own a small one it could easily be half the cost.
It’s hard to see why people use gas pool heaters these days, because the costs could reach as high as $500 per month making them 5X more expensive than an electric heat pump. It will depend on the kind of gas you use, but at between $3 to $9 per hour it would be cheaper to visit a spa.
Video | Pool Heater vs Pool Heat Pump
You Won’t Have To Deal With Gas
When we spoke about how gas pool heaters worked we mentioned they has a combustion chamber inside them where the gas would burn away hour after hour. Anything with a combustion chamber isn’t 100 percent safe, and it’s certainly a lot more dangerous than a fan drawing in heat from the air.
One of the biggest things you need to worry about is the gas leaking out of your pool heater. Gas lines can also become blocked, the unit will need to be ventilated, and it will have to be maintained a lot more regularly because of these dangers. Heat pumps don’t have anything to do with gas at all.
Heat Pumps Last A Lot Longer
This boils down to the amazing technology built into an electric heat pump like the Hayward HP50TA. It’s going to last a lot longer before you need to have it repaired. After all, it’s only sucking air in from the environment and it doesn’t do much else. You only have to keep an eye on the self-diagnostics and react when you get a warning.
Combustion chambers, on the other hand, sound like they won’t last long. With pipes, circuit boards, igniters, and other working parts it’s going to be quicker until things break. It’s hard to give an exact figure on how long each one will last because there are so many factors you have to take into consideration like:
- How big your swimming pool is
- How often you use either one
- The environment you live in
The Pump Doesn’t Need To Be On
The reason why swimming pools cost so much money is because of the pump. If your pool pump was never turned on you’d be swimming in a pile of sludge within weeks. Fortunately, you don’t need to have the pump running non-stop, which can save you a great deal of money over the course of a swimming season.
This is fine when you have a heat pump, because even if you don’t have the pool pump switched on the water is still going to be warm. When you have a gas pool heater you have no choice but to turn the pool pump on, because if you don’t the water could be far too cold to swim in depending on the month.
It’s Friendlier On The Environment
Swimming pools aren’t the greatest things for the environment because the water has to come from somewhere. Unfortunately it’s a price the environment will have to pay if you want one in your garden. If you live somewhere that doesn’t suffer from water droughts you should never feel guilty about your pool.
If you did want to protect the environment there are other ways you can do it. An efficient electric heat pump is much better than gas pool heaters, but it’s not only because they’ll save a great deal of energy. There is no way dangerous gas can escape into the air as it doesn’t use any.
Disadvantages | Heat Pump
- It Will Take A While To Heat Up
- The Weather Will Decide The Temperature
- It’s Useless If It’s Too Cold Outside
- They Cost More Money To Buy Upfront
It Will Take A While To Heat Up
This goes all the way back to how a heat pump actually works. It uses a fan to suck in air before combining the heat with the water in your pool. Common sense says if the weather is cold the pool won’t be warm, and when it does heat up the pool temperature will rise slowly as water enters and exits the heat pump.
It will take even longer if you have a massive pool because there is more water to heat up. If you’re using a gas pool heater it will be able to heat the water quicker. As long as the heater is capable of producing temperatures much warmer than the weather outside a heat pump will never match it.
The Weather Will Decide The Temperature
Due to the gas pool heater producing its magic in the combustion chamber it’s not only the time that will be affected. Obviously the overall temperature of your pool will be hotter too, especially if it’s not particularly warm outside which will lower the temperature a heat pump will be able to produce.
There is a silver lining you don’t want to forget. Your pool isn’t meant to be a hot tub, so it shouldn’t be too warm anyway. If you were to heat your pool up as much as possible using a heater you’d be burning through a ton of electricity. If it’s not cold outside a heat pump is fine to hit roughly 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
It’s Useless If It’s Too Cold Outside
An electric heat pump is fine if it’s not too cold, but how much does the thermometer have to drop before it becomes useless? We’ve already said the minimum temperature is roughly 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it drops lower there won’t be enough heat in the air to warm up your pool.
Will you want to go swimming when it’s that cold anyway? Technically, there is nothing stopping you. It’s hard to say how many months of the year you’ll get to enjoy your pool without knowing where you live, but the majority of the country will get lots of use out of a heat pump before it becomes ineffective.
They Cost More Money To Buy Upfront
How much money do you have lying in your bank account at the moment? I hope it’s a lot if you’re looking for an electric heat pump like the Hayward HP50TA, because in the beginning you will be forced to spend a bit extra money. It is still cheaper than a solar pool heater as you won’t need solar panels.
Even though a heat pump costs more money upfront, you’ll make your money back a thousand times over thanks to the savings we’ve already mentioned. In fact, if you can’t afford a heat pump now don’t even entertain the thought of a gas pool heater. It’s much better to wait while you save up.
Hayward HP50TA | Fantastic Pool Heat Pump
When you think of swimming pool products Hayward are definitely the first name that pops into your head. Not only are they one of the biggest names in the industry, but they’ve been around for longer than any of their competitors. It’s now been well over 80 years they’ve been perfecting their craft.
If you happen to own an above ground swimming pool the Hayward HP50TA is the first heat pump you should look at. There is a reason why it’s extremely popular and if you read the Amazon reviews you’ll quickly see why. Before making a big purchase you’ll want to know about all the goodies under the hood, so let’s see what makes the HP50TA so special:
- It Can Deal With Large Swimming Pools
- Only The Best Corrosion Resistant Parts
- Its Industry Leading Quiet Operation
- An Easy-To-Use Control Panel
- A Wonderful Titanium Heat Exchanger
- Injection Molded UV-Resistant Body Panels
- AHRI Certified And Lab Tested
- Won’t Take Up Much Space In Your Garden
- The Heat Pump Is Easy To Install
- Spare Parts That Are Easily Replaceable
- A Multiyear Limited Warranty
- It Can Deal With Large Swimming Pools
If you have an above ground swimming pool it’s likely the 50,000 BTU HeatPro unit will be able to take care of it. The Hayward HP50TA can actually work with pools up to 13,000 gallons in size and reach 80 degrees in a day. To put that into perspective, try to imagine a round pool 24-feet in circumference and 48-inches deep. It’s certainly not the same size as the one you’ll see Michael Phelps swim in at the Olympics, but it’s a respectable size for an above ground swimming pool in your back garden.
Only The Best Corrosion Resistant Parts
When pool water is moving through anything you’ll run into one of two problems. It will either be salt water trying its hardest to ruin your heat pump, or it will be all the chemicals you pump into the pool. Nothing inside the Hayward HP50TA will succumb to corrosion. Even its exclusive ‘Ultra Gold’ evaporator coil is corrosion resistant, which not only helps with salt and chemicals from the pool but is great if you live by the sea too.
Video | Hayward Pool Heat Pump
Its Industry Leading Quiet Operation
When you’re in the garden you don’t want to be interrupted by annoying noises, which is perfect because the HeatPro is so quiet. It’s all thanks to the acoustic compressor cover, a swept-wing fan blade, and Hayward’s exclusive soundproofing. Even though you’ll get maximum airflow out of the fan you will not be able to hear a thing unless you’re standing over your heat pump fiddling with the temperature.
An Easy-To-Use Control Panel
Did you know the Hayward HP50TA is capable of getting water to within half a degree of your desired temperature? In other words, the heat you want is the heat you’ll get. All of this is done using the easy-to-use control panel on the front of the unit. Not only does the digital LED control panel tell you the pool temperature, but it also has self-diagnostics built in letting you know when something is wrong and what you’ll need to do to fix it. It’s also big enough to see if you have bad eyesight.
A Wonderful Titanium Heat Exchanger
The titanium heat exchanger inside the Hayward HP50TA isn’t just able to withstand corrosion. It’s also designed for the best heat transfer possible to help the unit work much more effortlessly. The titanium makes it a lot more reliable than any other kind of metal too. It’s one of the most essential parts of the heat pump, so it’s good to know it’s always going to do its job effectively in more ways than one. This is maybe why experts say a heat pump is as reliable as a refrigerator.
Injection Molded UV-Resistant Body Panels
By now you’re not worried about the inside of the HP50TA, but what about its exterior? Will it be able to handle all the elements thrown at it, especially when it will be sitting outside all year round? The injection molded polypropylene body panels won’t rust, plus they’re completely solid. They are UV-resistant too, so your panels won’t be damaged or discolored during the hot summer months. If you’re into aesthetics it will also look nice in your garden.
AHRI Certified And Lab Tested
Are you in any doubt as to whether or not your Hayward HP50TA heat pump will work perfectly when it arrives at your door? Unless there is a problem and the company send you out a defective unit it’s going to work every single time, but it has a few things to put your mind at ease. Its AHRI certificate tells you it’s as good as it says, plus it’s also been independently tested in a laboratory to back up the claims it makes.
Won’t Take Up Much Space In Your Garden
Even though we’ve mentioned them already let’s talk about the size of the unit again. When it’s sitting down it will only measure 31 x 40 x 35 inches, which makes it very compact. It’s not the lightest thing you’ll ever pick up at 120 pounds, but once it’s actually sitting down you’ll never need to move it again. It’s worth mentioning there should be 24 inches of space at each side of the unit and 72 inches above it, which will allow it to work properly.
Hayward HP50TA | Features
The Heat Pump Is Easy To Install
If you’re careful a heat pump will last twice as long as a gas pool heater, but this means you’ll need to install it properly. Even though you could attempt to do everything on your own, you’re strongly advised to hire a competent licensed electrician and heat pump professional. The plumbing connections and wiring will take hardly any time at all for them to install, and because you didn’t make the mistake of doing anything on your own the Hayward HP50TA will last for over a decade.
Spare Parts That Are Easily Replaceable
The heat pump might be able to last over a decade and it has some solid parts, but over time certain things could become compromised. Thankfully you’ll be able to pick up a huge selection of new parts to replace the old ones, which means you won’t have to go out and buy a new unit when it breaks down. Again, even though the parts are freely available get someone who knows what they’re doing to do the work for you. This will only be required should something happen outside of the warranty period.
A Multiyear Limited Warranty
To make sure you’re extra safe when you buy your Hayward HP50TA the unit will come with a 2-year limited warranty. This will include 2 full years for parts and 1 year for labor. Some of the components inside the HeatPro are also under warranty for up to 10 years, but remember the product must be installed to Hayward specifications otherwise it’s not valid. As we’ve just discussed, if a part of your unit isn’t covered the parts are cheap, easy to pick up, and someone who is qualified will have no problem installing them.
The Hayward HP50TA Is The Ultimate Heat Pump
If you own an above ground swimming pool the Hayward HP50TA is one of the best investments you’ll make. It won’t take long until the unit pays for itself because of how cheap it is to run, plus the ability to add months of extra pool usage to your schedule every year is almost priceless if you love going for a dip as often as possible.
You know Hayward is the top company in the world when it comes to pools, and that alone is worth trusting in the product. If you’re still not sure you really should head over to read the reviews left by past customers on Amazon. It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t have a good word to say about it, which is impressive considering they’re all unbiased reviews.
Visit the Hayward site to learn more about their products.
