Pool heat pump guide
Pool heat pump: what BTU output should you choose?
Choosing a heat pump solely based on the pool’s diameter or length is a common mistake. Proper sizing also depends on water volume, wind exposure, the desired temperature, whether a solar cover is used, and especially the time of year when you want to swim.
At Piscine Hippocampe, our main line is MOOV, particularly the TurboSilence Full-Inverter models. We also offer the Thermeau Prestige line for owners looking for a premium Quebec-made solution designed for northern climates.
How many BTUs does a pool heat pump need?
BTUs represent the heating capacity produced by the heat pump under specific test conditions. The higher the BTU rating, the more capacity the unit has to offset heat loss and raise the water temperature.
But rated output is only part of the equation. A 65,000 BTU heat pump may be more than adequate for a pool used mainly in summer, but become borderline if the owner wants to swim very early in spring, very late in fall, or maintain very warm water despite cold nights.
The 6 factors that affect sizing
The more water the pool contains, the more energy it takes to heat it.
Maintaining 80 °F requires less effort than maintaining 86 °F.
May to September does not require the same power reserve as April to October.
An exposed pool loses heat more quickly.
Reducing evaporation helps retain much of the accumulated heat.
Thermal performance varies depending on the pool’s construction and environment.
Our main line
Why we put MOOV TurboSilence first
The MOOV TurboSilence line uses Full-Inverter technology, allowing the compressor to automatically modulate its speed according to the actual heating demand.
Rather than constantly operating at full capacity and then stopping, the heat pump can slow down as it approaches the desired temperature. This helps maintain a more stable temperature, reduce noise, and limit on/off cycles.
Automatic speed modulation according to heating needs.
MOOV reports a sound level as low as approximately 41 dB at 3 m.
Remote control from the MOOV app.
MOOV advertises an average COP that can reach approximately 12 under its reference conditions.
Piscine Hippocampe method
Our sizing rule: approximately 1.3 BTU per litre of water
At our store, we use a simple ratio as a starting point: pool volume in litres × 1.3 = approximate target BTU capacity.
Example: a 31,200 L pool requires approximately 40,560 BTU. A 47,500 BTU MOOV TurboSilence MTS50 can therefore be perfectly suited to this type of small pool under normal conditions.
The ratio remains a starting point. A pool exposed to wind, without a solar cover, kept very warm, or used in early spring and late fall may justify moving up one model.
MOOV TurboSilence
Which MOOV capacity should you choose?
Here is our practical starting point. A pool exposed to the elements, without a solar cover, or used very early and very late in the season may require the next larger model.
| Model | Rated capacity | Typical profile |
|---|---|---|
| MTS50 | 47,500 BTU | Small pool, mainly summer use, low heating demand |
| MTS65X | 61,000 BTU | Typical above-ground pools and small inground pools |
| MTS90 | 82,000 BTU | Medium-sized pools, better comfort in spring and fall |
| MTS110 | 107,000 BTU | Large pools or owners wanting a longer season |
| MTS140 | 133,000 BTU | Very large pools and high-demand installations |
Quick guide for above-ground pools
The table below follows our internal ratio of approximately 1.3 BTU per litre, then rounds up to the immediately higher available MOOV model.
| Round pool | Approx. volume | Target BTU × 1.3 | Recommended MOOV model |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 ft | ≈ 14,000 L | ≈ 18,200 BTU | MTS50 |
| 15 ft | ≈ 21,670 L | ≈ 28,200 BTU | MTS50 |
| 18 ft | ≈ 31,200 L | ≈ 40,600 BTU | MTS50 |
| 21 ft | ≈ 42,450 L | ≈ 55,200 BTU | MTS65X |
| 24 ft | ≈ 55,450 L | ≈ 72,100 BTU | MTS90 |
| 27 ft | ≈ 70,200 L | ≈ 91,300 BTU | MTS110 |
Difficult exposure, no solar cover, or a very extended season may justify moving up one model.
Quick guide for inground pools
For inground pools, we apply the same starting logic: volume in litres × 1.3, then adjust according to exposure and the desired season.
| Pool | Typical volume | Target BTU × 1.3 | Recommended MOOV model |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 x 24 pi | ≈ 45,000 L | ≈ 58,500 BTU | MTS65X |
| 14 x 28 pi | ≈ 61,000 L | ≈ 79,300 BTU | MTS90 |
| 15 x 30 pi | ≈ 70,000 L | ≈ 91,000 BTU | MTS110 |
| 16 x 32 pi | ≈ 80,000 L | ≈ 104,000 BTU | MTS110 |
| 18 x 36 pi | ≈ 102,000 L | ≈ 132,600 BTU | MTS140 |
| 20 x 40 pi | ≈ 125,000 L | ≈ 162,500 BTU | To be validated according to the project |
More accessible option
MOOV Reversible: simple, efficient, and well suited to Quebec
The MOOV Reversible series uses a fixed-speed compressor rather than Full-Inverter technology. It therefore offers a more traditional and accessible approach.
The MR550X – 55 000 BTU model features reverse-cycle defrosting, a coiled titanium heat exchanger, and a dual rotary compressor. For an owner who simply wants to extend the season without seeking the modulation and maximum quietness of a Full-Inverter, it is a very interesting option.
Premium alternative
Thermeau Prestige: a Quebec reference for pool heating
The Thermeau Prestige line is developed in Quebec and uses a reversible hot-gas defrost system, Copeland Scroll compressors, and titanium heat exchangers.
Thermeau also publishes a very useful sizing chart for above-ground and in-ground pools. Their “Good / Better / Best” approach perfectly illustrates a principle we also apply at Piscine Hippocampe: the right power depends on the desired level of comfort and season extension.
Thermeau Prestige
A few official Thermeau guidelines
| Pool | Good | Better | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 ft above-ground | TH65 | TH85 | TH105 |
| 27 ft above-ground | TH85 | TH105 | TH125 |
| In-ground 15 x 30 | TH85 | TH105 | TH105 |
| In-ground 16 x 32 | TH105 | TH105 | TH125 |
| In-ground 20 x 40 | TH140 | TH140 | TH140 |
Our featured heat pumps
Three MOOV power levels to consider
MTS65X
An excellent starting point for many above-ground pools and small in-ground pools.
View MTS65X
MTS90
An excellent balance for medium-sized pools and owners who want more comfort at the beginning and end of the season.
View MTS90
MTS140
For large pools, significant heat losses, and projects where extending the season is a priority.
View MTS140Should you choose a heat pump that is more powerful than the minimum?
Often, yes - especially in Quebec. Having some reserve capacity makes it possible to recover heat losses more quickly after a cold night and be less dependent on very hot days.
With a Full-Inverter heat pump like TurboSilence, this additional margin is especially worthwhile because the unit can slow down when it does not need all its power.
However, there is no need to oversize excessively: the purchase cost, electrical supply, and required space also increase with the power.
Solar cover can be just as important as the heat pump
Evaporation is one of the main sources of heat loss from a pool. A solar cover used at night or when the pool is not in use helps retain the accumulated heat.
In many installations, a properly sized heat pump with a solar cover will provide better comfort than a more powerful heat pump on a pool left completely uncovered.
MOOV TurboSilence or Thermeau Prestige?
| Criterion | MOOV TurboSilence | Thermeau Prestige |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Full-Inverter | Fixed-speed Copeland Scroll compressor |
| Defrosting | Inverter management / variable climate | Reversible hot-gas |
| Silence | Significant advantage | Very quiet |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Depending on configuration |
| Why choose it? | Modulation, acoustic comfort, performance | Ruggedness, northern defrosting, Quebec-made |
Personalized sizing
Tell us about your pool and we’ll tell you what capacity to choose
To size a heat pump correctly, we want to know the pool's dimensions, its volume, whether it is above-ground or in-ground, your desired temperature, its exposure to wind, and the time of year when you actually want to swim.
With this information, the Piscine Hippocampe team can guide you toward the right MOOV or Thermeau model without simply selling you the largest heat pump.
View all heat pumpsFAQ
Frequently asked questions about heat pump capacity
Does a more powerful heat pump heat the water faster?
Yes, all other things being equal. Higher capacity generally allows heat to be restored to the water more quickly after overnight heat loss or a cool period.
Does a larger heat pump necessarily cost more to operate?
It may draw more power when operating at full capacity, but it can also reach the desired temperature more quickly. With Full-Inverter technology, the unit can then reduce its speed according to demand.
What capacity for a 24-foot above-ground pool?
For approximately 51,000 to 55,000 L, a MOOV MTS65X is a good starting point. An MTS90, or even an MTS110, may be preferable if you want a longer season or faster recovery after cold nights.
What capacity for a 16 x 32 in-ground pool?
For a pool of approximately 80,000 L, a MOOV MTS110 is an excellent starting point. With Thermeau, their official chart positions the TH105 as a good option and the TH125 as a higher-capacity option.
MOOV or Thermeau: which one should you choose?
MOOV TurboSilence is our main range when Full-Inverter modulation, silence, and connectivity are priorities. Thermeau Prestige remains an excellent premium option for homeowners looking for a Quebec-made heat pump with hot-gas reverse-cycle defrosting.