| Typical Cooling Capacity | 3–8 kW 10,200–27,300 BTU/h | 9–20 kW 30,700–68,200 BTU/h | 21–50 kW 71,700–170,600 BTU/h | Confirm whether capacity is measured at the same entering-water and outdoor-air temperatures used at the installation site. |
| Recommended Spa Water Volume | 1,000–4,000 L | 3,000–10,000 L | 8,000–25,000 L | Size according to water volume, desired pull-down time, insulation, cover usage, ambient temperature, and bather load. |
| Typical Water Temperature Range | 8–40°C | 8–40°C | 8–40°C | Check the supplier’s actual operating range, minimum flow requirement, and whether heating operation is included. |
| Nominal Water Flow | 2–5 m³/h | 4–10 m³/h | 8–20 m³/h | Match the required flow to the heat exchanger, pump curve, pipe diameter, filter resistance, and installation height. |
| Typical Cooling COP | 3.0–4.5 | 3.2–4.8 | 3.5–5.0 | Request the test condition. COP varies with entering-water temperature, outdoor-air temperature, fan speed, and compressor load. |
| Compressor Control | Fixed-speed or inverter | Fixed-speed or inverter | Fixed-speed, tandem, or inverter | Inverter control can reduce cycling and improve part-load efficiency, but the control range and serviceability must be confirmed. |
| Common Refrigerants | R32, R410A, or R290 | R32, R410A, or R290 | R32, R410A, or R290 | Check local regulations, refrigerant safety classification, charge quantity, technician requirements, and long-term availability. |
| Heat Exchanger Material | Titanium preferred | Titanium preferred | Titanium preferred | Titanium is widely selected for chlorinated or salt-containing water because of its corrosion resistance. Confirm tube grade and construction. |
| Electrical Supply Options | 220–240 V, single-phase | 220–240 V single-phase or 380–415 V three-phase | 380–415 V, three-phase is common | Verify voltage, frequency, phase, maximum current, circuit-breaker rating, and regional electrical certification. |
| Noise Level Target | Approximately 48–58 dB(A) | Approximately 50–62 dB(A) | Approximately 55–68 dB(A) | Noise figures are meaningful only when the distance, test environment, fan speed, and operating condition are stated. |
| Control Functions | Digital setpoint, timer, fault display | Digital setpoint, timer, flow protection, anti-freeze protection | Digital control, remote monitoring option, alarm history, cascade control | Confirm sensor accuracy, password protection, communication protocol, and whether remote monitoring requires additional hardware. |
| Protection Features | High/low pressure, flow switch, overload protection | High/low pressure, flow switch, overload, anti-freeze protection | All medium-unit protections plus phase-loss and phase-sequence protection | Request a complete protection list and verify that safety devices are tested during factory inspection. |
| Outdoor Installation Suitability | Weather-resistant enclosure recommended | Weather-resistant enclosure recommended | Weather-resistant enclosure recommended | Check enclosure rating, corrosion protection, operating ambient range, drainage, ventilation clearance, and snow or rain exposure. |
| Efficiency Documentation | Capacity, input power, COP test data | Capacity, input power, COP test data | Capacity, input power, COP and part-load data | Prefer test reports that identify test conditions, measurement uncertainty, refrigerant, water flow, and electrical input. |
| Quality Inspection Points | Leak test, electrical test, flow test | Leak test, electrical test, flow test, control verification | Full-load test, part-load test, vibration check, control verification | Use a pre-shipment inspection covering refrigerant leakage, insulation resistance, current draw, water flow, alarms, and packaging. |
| Best Application Fit | Private spa, small wellness room, plunge pool | Hotel spa, fitness center, therapy pool | Large commercial spa, wellness center, multi-tank system | Choose capacity based on the complete thermal load rather than water volume alone. |