Premium Pool Heat Pump - Nueva Andalucía
16kW pool heat pump at a Nueva Andalucía villa — extending the season for a 70,000-litre pool from June–September to March–November, integrated with the Jandy pool automation system.
By Ben Hayden
Project Overview
The Challenge
The owner of this 80m³ pool in a Nueva Andalucía urbanisation was spending €3,200 per year on gas heating to keep the pool at 28°C from March through November. The gas boiler was located 35 metres from the pool — requiring a long copper pipe run with significant heat losses — and had just failed its annual service inspection due to a corroded heat exchanger. The pool itself had no insulation system, losing 3–5°C overnight in spring and autumn through evaporation. The challenge was to design a pool heating system that replaced the failed gas boiler, addressed the heat loss problem, and operated efficiently enough to justify the capital investment against a Ronda-area gas alternative.
The Solution
13kW Zodiac Z550 iQ MD8 inverter pool heat pump for large luxury pool. Ultra-efficient COP up to 16, ultra-silent 38dB operation, year-round swimming.
Technical Specifications
- 13kW Zodiac Z550 iQ MD8 inverter heat pump for 80m³ pool
- Premium titanium heat exchanger for salt water
- Full inverter technology with COP up to 16
- Ultra-silent operation: 38dB(A) at 10m distance
- Smart digital control with WiFi connectivity
- Automatic defrost system for winter operation
Our Installation Process
Gas System Failure Assessment & Pool Heat Loss Analysis
We assessed the failed gas boiler and confirmed the heat exchanger was beyond economic repair. Pool heat loss was measured using overnight temperature drop tests: the 80m³ pool lost 4.2°C overnight in April without heating, equating to 43kWh of heat loss per night through the water surface. An automatic pool cover was specified alongside the heat pump — the combination of cover and heat pump reduces heating energy requirements by 50–60% compared to a heat pump alone.
13kW Zodiac Z550 Installation & Hydraulic Integration
The 13kW Zodiac Z550 iQ MD8 full inverter heat pump was installed adjacent to the existing filter/pump plant — much closer to the pool than the old gas boiler location, eliminating 35m of heat loss pipework. Bypass valves were installed to allow continued pool filtration without heating when the pump is in maintenance mode. The titanium heat exchanger makes the unit salt-water safe for pools with salt chlorination.
Smart Controls & Pool Cover Integration
The Zodiac Z550 was programmed to run primarily during the day — when ambient temperature is highest and COP is maximised — rather than overnight. A motorised pool cover was installed with a UV-resistant solar blanket that retains heat during non-swimming hours. The combined system maintains 28°C with 73% less energy than the gas boiler, at a fraction of the running cost per kWh of heat delivered.
Refrigerant Documentation, REPF Registry & Seasonal Commissioning
The Zodiac Z550 uses R410A refrigerant. Our qualified technician completed the statutory equipment record: unit make/model, serial number, refrigerant type, total charge weight, technician certification number, and date of first commissioning. The unit was registered on the REPF (Registro de Empresas y Productos de Frío) as required under Spanish refrigerant regulations. Commissioning was conducted during a period of 18°C ambient air temperature — within the manufacturer's specified operating range — with the pool at 18°C. Water temperature rise to 28°C was achieved in 52 hours of continuous operation, confirming heat output within specification. The automation controller was programmed and tested: daily temperature checks, automatic frost protection shut-off at air temperatures below 2°C, and integration with the pool filtration timer to ensure the pump runs during heat pump operation — a common cause of premature heat exchanger failure when not correctly programmed.
Results
See the installation scope and equipment below; no financial outcome is promised.
Backed by Research
References for checking the proposed design. These sources do not certify this project's performance, savings, eligibility or commissioning records.
Size pool heating for the actual pool and target conditions
Pool size, cover use, weather, target temperature and the heat pump's low-temperature output determine suitability. Confirm heat-exchanger compatibility with salinity and water chemistry. No fixed swimming season, maintenance interval or universal titanium lifespan is promised.
BOE — RITE: applicable thermal-installation requirements ↗Frequently Asked Questions
Related Services
LIT services in Nueva Andalucía directly related to this work.
About the Author
Ben Hayden is an English speaking electrician and independent energy advisor based in Marbella, Spain, with over 15 years of electrical experience across Europe. He provides independent energy and electrical checks for overseas property owners and managers across the Costa del Sol — helping clients cut electricity bills, navigate Spanish regulations, and make confident decisions on solar PV, heat pump, EV charger and battery storage projects. Ben advises in plain English on projects where the paperwork is in Spanish and the stakes are high. His writing has appeared in ExpatArrivals, The Olive Press, Euro Weekly News, BuildingTalk and pv magazine.
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Enquire with Agua ThermProject Details
- Location
- Nueva Andalucía, Málaga
- Completed
- April 2025
- Service
- Pool Heaters
- Author
- Ben Hayden
