Do heat pumps work in California??
In one of the biggest moves to reduce air pollution in the past decade, Southern California air regulators in June 2024 adopted a rule that will require pool and hot tub owners to go electric.
The rule will lead to the replacement over three decades of more than 1 million gas-burning appliances — including an estimated 700,000 pool heaters and 300,000 tankless water heaters — with zero-emissions technology. It will also apply to 70,000 commercial water heaters at businesses such as dry cleaners, restaurants, hotels and hospitals.
We got the opportunity to sit down with an environmentally conscious homeowner in southern California to discuss his decision to look for an electric option to replace his old gas pool heater.
This California homeowner knew he needed a new pool heater and wanted a heat pump so he called around and wasn’t having an ideal experience. Instead of working with him directly, other companies pointed him to dealers and wouldn’t speak to him directly. Then, he called Raypak (a local company) and let them know that he was having a hard time getting in touch with someone who could help and recommend a gas heater alternative.
“From the first sales call to contacting them for tech support, I have had a truly wonderful experience with Raypak. I ended up going to the headquarters to get more information about [heat] pumps and I got referred to a great Raypak Sales Representative and together we met the local installer the next day.”
“My pool is set at 87 degrees and I turned it on in April and it has been 87 degrees since! As the weather has warmed up, my electricity usage has gone down. In April, I spent $300 (equivalent on my solar grid) to keep the pool heated that month, and for all of July I have spent less than $50 to have my pool at 87 degrees seven days a week in California. I cannot wrap my head around why all people in California don’t do this!”
Customers are able to maintain their pool at the ideal temperature with smart technological advancements with the help of Raypak’s Raymote app. Whether adjusting the pool temperature or checking on other pool functions, it’s all possible through our Raymote remote Wi-Fi connection.
“I use my Raymote app to set up the heat pump to come on after 11:30am and most of the time when it is sunny, the heat pump is running completely on the solar grid. So realistically, I have spent less than $200 so far this summer keeping my pool up and running, including a new Crosswind V unit and energy costs.”
“Some of the other pool installers I spoke to at the beginning told me that pool owners spend thousands of dollars a month to heat their pools using older gas heaters. I love that I met Raypak and that my family can use the pool whenever they want to go in and at a tiny fraction of the cost!”
Raypak has been at the forefront of environmental efficiency and sustainability for over 70 years, leading the evolution of hot water as a top manufacturer of energy-efficient boilers, water heaters, and pool heaters. Our team are experts in the pool heating space and we are trained to be focused on the unique needs of each customer when they are looking for a pool heating solution.
“We chose the Crosswind V due to the small footprint of the older gas heater which was a wonderful plug-in replacement to my old gas heater. It was the best solution for its capabilities for my pool and as a replacement without having to make structural adjustments.”
When asked about energy savings, the customer said “When we had the gas heater, our gas bill was several hundred dollars a month and we didn’t use our pool every day. Now that we have switched to Crosswind V, my gas bill is never more than $20/month.”
“For me, I am saving $1800/year and that adds up! It’s also a plus to cut our greenhouse emissions and natural gas.”
Raypak is a natural partner choice for homeowners and commercial properties looking to increase their sustainability efforts. We’re focused on innovating Raypak products with intent, engineering solutions with lifetime sustainability in mind, from material selection to smart features to responsible recycling. And, our products are designed to meet our customers’ needs, giving them greater control over their energy and water consumption, lowering their environmental impact. We are transforming the industry by introducing ground-breaking, intelligent air and water solutions to homes and businesses around the globe.
Learn more about Raypak’s sustainability efforts here.
