Aqua Cal Tropical T115 Heat Pump T115AHDSBTF

Just installed this a few weeks ago. Not sure what is going on with the other reviewers, but thought I'd clear a few things up on it. CONS: For 3k (I got it 3k shipped with a little haggling) I expected a more sturdy unit. It comes via freight (and it's heavy) so plan accordingly to get that pallet/unit to it's final location. The shipping was fine and the sturdy. The unit itself, however, has a thin plastic base and lifting one corner really flexes everything. So much so that the screws holding the plastic base on will likely break through the plastic slots they are in. Not sure why a simple support frame couldn't have been placed inside. I get that it would weigh more, but this thing seriously feels like a $500 hunk of junk. No cover included. Again, for 3k, throw in a cover. Honestly, so far, that's the only complaint I have. I can't speak to reliability as I've only had it hooked up a few weeks, but it's been outside for a month or two...just waiting for me to stop being lazy. PRO's: hookup (plumbing) is easy. There's a 2" inlet union and a 2" outlet union (labeled). pretty simple. Use pvc to whatever plumbing you already have and you're good. Obviously will likely take a trip to the hardware store for some pieces, but I basically no nothing on plumbing hookup and figured it out. The unit flows 70GPM whether running or not. You can either have it off and still run your pump, have it on/temp set low so it still flows w/o heating, or add a bypass in the plumbing to remove it from the water flow. I don't have a bypass (but will add one eventually). Unit isn't actually loud at all. Not sure of the db rating, but ours is outside and fan running is very quiet, and when the heater kicks on, there is the initial noise of that starting, but once running it's fine. Unit is VERY easy to program. Granted, I only have it running to a pool (~19,000gallons) but even if it were going to be hooked to a pool & spa, the modes are straight forward. Power to the unit>unlock the keypad (a simple finger swipe)>set desired temp. the end. No idea where the complications come in on this part. I set to 80 and once the water runs through the unit for a few minutes, the unit either kicks on to heat or doesn't, depending on the water temp it registers. I mean, basic stuff. Unit actually heats water. I live in Southern WI. We had a warm summer, so thankfully didn't need it much. But now we will start running it more and covering the pool at night. Does it take a few hours to go from 77 to 80? Yes; it's heating 19k gallons and flowing 70GPM. Plan your heating accordingly, based on volume, flow, desired temp. How / if the pool retains the heat is up to you. The water coming through the return jet is bath water warm, so to say the unit doesn't heat is wrong (unless it's defective or your hookup is defective). Neither PRO or CON: Customer service. First off, the CS isn't bad. But you will may get different information depending on who you talk to. I called them a few times just to make sure I was hooking it up right and they were very helpful in dealing with my questions and my general lack of knowledge on basically everything. I can't say how warranty service or repair service is at this time. Electrical hookup requires electrician. Not a big surprise on this, but don't expect to just buy this and plug it into the wall and you're done. You need a dedicated breaker/hookup etc. I had an electrician install a dedicated panel/breaker for the unit and bond it to the pump. Thankfully, he's a family member and an actual electrician, so cost was very cheap. If you don't have access to that, account for the cost of hiring an electrician in your budget. Summary: Unit works well and is easy to program. However, it feels pretty cheaply made (the outside/housing; the internals seem well done) and doesn't come with a cover. Hook up is easy but you'll need an electrician to run the power. I'll update if anything changes.

I have had nothing but issues with this company, AquaCal. We had a new pool installed and bought this heat pump from them. It does not heat the water more than 3 degrees at any time. Even if it is 85 outside, the water will not heat above that. It definitely does nothing when it is below 85. They sent out a service tech that stated heat pumps are not good for pools and it would never do what we were told it would do. I bought a solar blanket and laid it on the pool and ran the heat pump, still nothing. It also was never 'SuperQuiet' as it had a loud squeal to it. They said it was a design issue with the coil and when it sucks air between where it was welded together. They replaced the unit, the second unit still does not heat the pool, although it doesn't have a squeal. I have asked for a refund, but they will not provide one. They say it is operational since the pressure reads okay. The fact is, it does not heat the water in the pool no matter what you do. Bad company, bad design, horrible product.

Way too difficult to program