Misleading marketing hype

For example, marketing exaggerations: heat pump technical data Model NNN:

• Heating capacity: 13 kW (26°C air / 26°C water)
• COP: 7,3 – 15,4
• Heating capacity: 9 kW (15°C air / 26°C water)
• COP: 4,8 – 7,7
• Cooling capacity: 5.6 kW (35°C air / 28°C water)
• Operating modes: Heating and cooling
• Recommended pool volume: 30 – 60 m³
• Input power: 0,23 – 1,81 kW
• Rated current: 9.2 A
• Water connection: Ø 50 mm

Pool heat pump with COP 15?

In some online stores, the Model NNN heat pump (we do not advertise - you can find it through search engines) is presented by some distributors as a revolutionary heat pump for swimming pools, with spectacular performance: a heating power of 13 kW and a minimum consumption of only 0.23 kW. On paper, it seems like an ideal choice. In reality? It's a classic case of marketing hype specifications, which do not correspond to basic physics.

COP of 15? A physical impossibility

The seller supports a COP (performance coefficient) up to 15,4 under certain conditions. What does this mean? That for every 1 kWh consumed, the pump delivers over 15 kWh of heatIn theory, this would mean an efficiency of 1500%, which is absurd from a thermodynamic point of view, even for laboratory conditions. By the way – on the manufacturer’s website there is no such data. More or less – approximately, the technical data is correct on the manufacturer’s website. Perpetuum Mobile is invented only by local sellers. These marketing exaggerations are just the seller’s inventions.

In real conditions:

• A COP of 15 cannot be achieved not even with advanced geothermal heat pumps.

• In air-to-water applications, a realistic COP for swimming pools is between 4 and 6 at very favorable external temperatures.

Professional data about COP can be found here: COP (performance coefficient). Or in other publications written by competent specialists.

In short:

“Test results for the best systems are around 4.5. When measuring units installed over a full season and taking into account the energy required to pump water through the piping systems, seasonal COPs for heating are around 3.5 or less. This indicates that there is room for further improvement.”.

13 kW heating power with 0.23 kW consumption? A dangerous joke

According to the data sheet:

• The heating power is 13 kW.

• The electrical power absorbed is between 0.23 and 1.81 kW (!)

This is mathematically impossible:

• 13 kW divided by 0.23 kW = COP of 56.5 (!) – which goes against the laws of thermodynamics.

• In reality, a 13 kW pump needs at least 2.5 – 3.5 kW to operate efficiently at a PREMIUM class. Real is 4 kW consumption.

Marketing exaggerations that hide reality

These unrealistic data are designed to attract naive customers, who don't understand how a heat pump works:

• The actual COP depends on the temperature difference between air and water.

• At 26°C air / 26°C water, there is almost no significant heat transfer, so the data is irrelevant.

• No one uses a heat pump to keep water at air temperature.

Who is affected by these marketing exaggerations?

1. End customers — who may be disappointed after installation, noticing that electricity bills are higher than the technical data sheet promises.

2. Serious installers and distributors — which must explain why the "miracle" in the brochure doesn't happen in reality.

3. The entire industry — because such marketing exaggerations undermine confidence in heat pump technology.

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What to check before buying a pool heat pump?

✅ Real date to test – independent certificate (e.g. EN14511)
✅ COP at real external temperatures – for example: air 15°C, water 26°C
✅ Electrical power absorbed – not to differ by 1000% from what is delivered
✅ Manufacturer transparency – does it provide real technical reports?

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Conclusion: Be careful of impossible promises

The Model NNN pump may perform well under some conditions, but the data in the specifications is misleading and exaggerated. COPs of 10+ in air-water are marketing hype, fantasy, but not technical reality. Don't be fooled by spectacular numbers — always ask real evidence.

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📌 ALTAL GROUP offers real-world tested heat pumps, with clear specifications and professional technical support. If you want a serious solution for pool heating — contact us.