DR. Infrared DR-1100HP Review: The Cheap Heat Option
A DR. Infrared DR-1100HP review covering the 110,000 BTU inverter heat pump, 32,000 gallon rating, CSA and AHRI certification and why heat pumps struggle in the cold.
One hundred and ten thousand BTU of inverter heat pump, and the air temperature that decides whether it works.
The verdict: A full DC inverter heat pump is the cheapest way to keep a pool warm across a season, and at 110,000 BTU this one covers pools up to 32,000 gallons. Buy it if you want to extend your swimming season at a fraction of the running cost of gas and you are patient about how quickly it warms. Skip it if you need the pool hot by this afternoon or you live somewhere the air drops below the manufacturer's operating range, because a heat pump extracts heat from air it cannot find.
DR. Infrared Heater DR-1100HP Full DC Inverter 110,000 BTU Pool Heat Pump
~$4,199
A 110,000 BTU full DC inverter pool heat pump for inground and above ground pools up to 32,000 gallons, with WiFi app control and scheduling, CSA and AHRI certified.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Output | 110,000 BTU |
|---|---|
| Pool size | Up to 32,000 gallons, inground or above ground |
| Technology | Full DC inverter fan motor and compressor |
| Certification | CSA and AHRI certified |
| Control | Built in WiFi with mobile app control and scheduling |
| Support | US based customer support per the manufacturer |
Specifications above come from the manufacturer's published specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- A heat pump moves existing heat rather than burning fuel to create it, which is why running costs are a fraction of gas heating.
- A full DC inverter adjusts output continuously rather than switching on and off, which is quieter and more efficient than a fixed speed heat pump.
- AHRI certification means the performance figures have been verified against an industry test standard rather than asserted.
- Scheduling through the app lets it run during off peak electricity hours, which is where a lot of the saving actually comes from.
Where it falls short
- Heat pumps lose capacity as the air cools. In shoulder season mornings, exactly when you most want heat, it works hardest and delivers least.
- It heats slowly. Expect to think in days rather than hours for a significant temperature rise, which makes it a maintenance tool rather than an on demand one.
- It needs a substantial electrical circuit, which is licensed electrician work, and pool equipment also has bonding requirements under the electrical code.
- It needs clear airflow all around. Tucking a heat pump into a corner behind a fence is the most common installation mistake and it degrades performance measurably.
What owners report
Published owner reports are positive about running cost, which is the reason people buy heat pumps, and about the app control. The inverter's quiet operation is mentioned frequently by owners who replaced a fixed speed unit.
The consistent complaint is speed, and it is usually a mismatch of expectations rather than a fault: owners who expected gas heater performance describe disappointment, while owners who ran it continuously with a cover describe a season extended by weeks at a fraction of the cost. Cold weather performance also appears repeatedly, and it is inherent to the technology rather than specific to this unit.
Who it suits
- Anyone extending a swimming season rather than heating on demand.
- Mild and warm climates where air temperature stays comfortably above the operating threshold.
- Owners who will use a pool cover, which roughly doubles the value of any heating.
Who should skip it
- Cold climates and early spring heating, where gas is the only technology that keeps up.
- Anyone who wants the pool hot within hours.
- Installations with no room for clear airflow around the unit.
Alternatives worth considering
AQUASTRONG Swimming Pool Heat Pump, heating and cooling, 100,000 BTU class
~$2,484
Around seventeen hundred dollars less for a similar inverter heat pump rated to 26,000 gallons, with a cooling mode as well. A newer brand, so the long term support record is shorter.
Check price on AmazonRaypak 266,000 BTU Digital Electronic Ignition Natural Gas Pool Heater
~$3,179
A thousand dollars less to buy and far more to run, but it heats regardless of air temperature and it heats fast. The correct choice if you want the pool warm on a specific day rather than all season.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- Heat pump vs solar pool heater
- Solar cover vs liquid solar cover
- Heater size calculator
- AQUASTRONG heat pump review
- Hayward H400 gas heater review
- Pool water temperature
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How cold can it be for a pool heat pump to work?
Heat pump output falls as the air cools and manufacturers publish a minimum operating temperature, commonly somewhere in the high forties Fahrenheit. Below that the unit either stops or produces very little heat. Check the specific operating range for your model and be realistic about your local spring mornings.
How long does a heat pump take to warm a pool?
Days rather than hours for a meaningful rise, and considerably longer without a cover. That is normal for the technology. The practical approach is to run it continuously early in the season and then let it maintain the temperature, which is where the efficiency shows.
Is a heat pump cheaper than gas?
To run, dramatically. A heat pump delivers several units of heat per unit of electricity because it moves heat rather than creating it, while a gas heater is limited by combustion efficiency. The trade is speed and cold weather capability. Our pool cost calculator will estimate the difference for your pool.
Do I need an electrician?
Yes. A heat pump of this size needs a dedicated circuit, and pool equipment carries bonding requirements under the electrical code that exist to prevent electric shock around water. This is licensed work with a permit in most jurisdictions, and it is not a place to improvise.
Does a pool cover really matter that much?
More than any other single factor. Most heat leaves a pool through the surface, mainly by evaporation, so an uncovered heated pool is a heater fighting the night air. A solar cover typically pays for itself in a season of heating. Our solar cover comparison covers the options.
Taking care of a pool?
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