Swimart Bli Bli

Your pool heat pump

How your Waterco heat pump and AquaHeat 5 controller work together, how to set them, and how to keep heating costs down.

How it works

A heat pump works like a reverse air conditioner. Its fan draws warm air across a coil, and that heat moves into the pool water as it passes through. It only heats while water is flowing, so the pool pump has to be running. Your AquaHeat 5 controller runs the pump when heat is needed, so the two work together.

What your AquaHeat 5 does

  • Runs the pump during the heating times you set on its timeclock.
  • Only sends water through the heat pump while the pool is below your set temperature, then checks it again at set intervals.
  • 1st HEAT brings the pool up to temperature once, then goes back to the normal timeclock.

Setting it up

  • Set the heating hours for the warmest part of the day, around 10 am to 4 pm. Warm air means more heat for less power.
  • Run the pump 8 hours a day in winter and up to 12 in summer while heating.
  • Switch heating off when you're away for more than a few days.
  • Use 1st HEAT a few days before a weekend or a party to bring a cold pool up to temperature.

Setting the temperature

Every degree higher costs more to hold, so set it to what's comfortable rather than what's possible.

15–25°C

Cooling

On heat/cool models, cooling mode can take the edge off the water in a hot Queensland summer.

26–29°C

Comfortable swimming

Where most owners settle. Start at 27°C and adjust a degree at a time.

up to 40°C

Maximum heating

Possible, but costly to hold in an open pool. Best kept for short spa-style sessions.

From cold, a heat pump takes a couple of days to bring the pool up to temperature. It's slower than gas but costs far less to run. Start heating a few days before you need it.

Keep heating costs down

  • Use a pool coverAn uncovered pool loses two to three times more heat. Cover it every night and whenever it isn't in use.
  • Heat in daylightThe warmer the air, the less power the heat pump needs for the same heat.
  • Don't overshootEach degree above what you need adds to every bill.
  • Keep the air movingKeep plants, furniture and stored items clear of the fan and the coil at the back.
  • Keep the filter cleanGood flow lets the heat pump transfer heat efficiently and avoids flow errors.
  • Leave it runningHolding a steady temperature uses less energy than reheating a cold pool every weekend.

This is normal

Water pooling under the unit

That's condensation from the coil, and it can be 4 to 6 litres an hour on humid days. It isn't a leak.

Cold air blowing out

The heat has gone into your pool water. The air comes out several degrees cooler.

Fan running but heating paused

On cold mornings the unit defrosts its coil automatically. This takes 3 to 20 minutes, then heating resumes.

A delay before it starts

The compressor waits a few minutes after power-up or a mode change to protect itself.

Pump runs for a few minutes, then stops

Once the pool is warm, the AquaHeat 5 runs the pump briefly to check the water temperature, then stops again if no heat is needed.

Temperature reading doesn't change

Between checks, the controller shows the last accurate reading. It updates on the next check.

Looking after it

Weekly
  • Check the pool pump basket and filter. Low flow stops the heat pump.
  • Test pH and chlorine.
Monthly
  • Rinse the unit with fresh water from a garden hose. Salt air on the Sunshine Coast corrodes the coil fins.
  • Clear leaves from around the unit and check the drain holes in the base are clear.
As needed
  • Clean the coil with a soft brush and gentle hose. Never use a pressure washer, it bends the aluminium fins.
  • Wipe the cabinet with mild soapy water. No solvents or scourers.
Keep water withinRangeWhy it matters
pH7.2–7.6Low pH attacks the titanium heat exchanger.
Chlorine2–5 ppmVery high chlorine shortens the exchanger's life.
Total alkalinity80–150 ppmKeeps pH stable.
Calcium hardness200–300 ppmToo high and scale builds up inside the exchanger.
Salt (salt pools)4,000–6,000 ppmWithin the unit's rated range.

Waterco may void the heat pump warranty if water is kept outside these ranges. Bring in a sample monthly and we'll check it for you.

Quick troubleshooting

Not heating at all

Check: the pool pump is running, the AquaHeat 5 is inside a heating time, its set temperature is above the water temperature.

Fix: adjust the AquaHeat 5 heating times or set temperature, and give the compressor a few minutes to start.

Heating, but slowly

Check: pool cover use, air temperature, a dirty coil or filter.

Fix: cover the pool, heat during the day and clean the coil and filter. Cold snaps slow every heat pump down.

Display shows FL0 or E17

Meaning: not enough water is flowing through the heat pump.

Fix: empty the pump basket, clean the filter, check the pool water level and that all valves are open.

Display shows E19

Meaning: the air is too cold for the unit to heat.

Fix: nothing to do. It restarts once the air warms up.

Display shows P84, P85 or P86

Meaning: the power supply voltage is too high or too low.

Turn the unit off and have an electrician check the supply.

Any other code, or it keeps tripping

Meaning: most other codes are pressure, sensor or electronics faults that need a technician.

Note the code, switch the unit off and call us.