Quick answer
Built Right is a Florida heat pump brand, made in Punta Gorda and owned by Fluidra (Jandyâs parent company) since January 2021, and its current XW line comes in four 117,000-135,000 BTU models. For most Florida in-ground pools the BR135 XW (135,000 BTU, COP 6.0) is the default pick, at $5,399.99 at The Pool Supply Warehouse in Fort Myers on November 5, 2026. The main reason to choose Built Right is its warranty: 5 years of parts and 5 years of on-site labor, according to Built Rightâs April 2026 limited warranty, where Pentairâs Gulfstream line offers 7 years of parts but only 2 years of labor. The catch is that Built Right sells only through licensed contractors, and its dealer list covers 32 counties, all in Florida.
Everything below comes from Built Rightâs own product page, its XW brochure (March 2026), its current ownerâs manual (version 2.0, for models built after October 1, 2017), its April 2026 warranty PDF, Fluidraâs 2021 acquisition filing, and prices published by a Florida pool store on November 5, 2026. We compared these documents and prices. We did not run our own tests.
Built Right XW series at a glance
Built Right publishes its ratings at three AHRI test points: 80°F air at 80% and 63% humidity, and 50°F air at 63% humidity, all with 80°F water. The 50°F column is the one to size from if you heat in spring or fall:
| Model | BTU / COP at 80°F air, 80% RH | BTU / COP at 80°F air, 63% RH | BTU / COP at 50°F air | Power | Flow (min / optimal / max) | Price (Nov 5, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BR115 XW | 117,000 / 6.5 | 109,000 / 6.1 | 70,000 / 4.1 | 208-230V, MCA 39 A, 50 A max | 20 / 48 / 70 GPM | $4,850 |
| BR135 XW | 135,000 / 6.0 | 125,000 / 5.6 | 82,000 / 4.0 | 208-230V, MCA 40 A, 50 A max | 30 / 57 / 70 GPM | $5,399.99 |
| BR135 XW H/C (heat and cool) | 130,000 / 5.8 | 124,000 / 5.6 | 82,000 / 4.0 | 208-230V, MCA 40 A, 50 A max | 30 / 57 / 70 GPM | $4,599.99 (listed as BR135-1XW H/C) |
| BR135 XW-3 (three-phase) | 135,000 / 6.0 (website) or 130,000 / 6.1 (brochure) | 125,000 / 5.6 or 124,000 / 5.9 | 82,000 / 4.0 or 85,000 / 4.4 | 208V three-phase, MCA 40 A, 50 A max | 30 / 57 / 70 GPM | Not listed |
Ratings and electrical data come from Built Rightâs XW product page and its March 2026 XW brochure, both rated to AHRI Standard 1160. The two sources disagree on the three-phase model, so ask your contractor for the data plate. Prices are from The Pool Supply Warehouse in Fort Myers, which listed all three single-phase models as in stock on November 5, 2026.
What all four share, per the brochure: a scroll compressor, R410A refrigerant, a titanium-tube heat exchanger in a PVC water shell, 2-inch PVC unions, a polymer cabinet with a 32 x 32 inch footprint (42 to 45 inches tall, 240 to 260 lb), an 825 rpm fan with a swept-wing blade, an acoustic blanket on the compressor, and a digital control with separate pool and spa set points that connects to Jandy, Hayward, Goldline, Pentair and Intermatic automation. Built Right calls the XW âamong the quietestâ heat pumps on the market but doesnât publish a decibel rating, so thereâs no number to compare with other brands.
1. Built Right BR135 XW: best for most Florida in-ground pools
Built Right BR135 XW Pool and Spa Heat Pump (135,000 BTU)
- The largest heat-only XW model: 135,000 BTU at 80°F air and 80% humidity, and 82,000 BTU at 50°F air, per Built Right's spec page.
- At 8.34 BTU per gallon per degree, its 80°F rating can raise about 16,000 gallons by 1°F per hour before heat losses, and its 50°F rating about 9,800 gallons.
- It needs at least 30 GPM through the heater (57 GPM optimal, 70 GPM max), so pools with a low-speed variable-speed schedule should check the pump setting.
- Covered for 5 years of parts and 5 years of on-site labor under the April 2026 warranty, when installed by a licensed pool contractor.
The BR135 XW is the model most Florida pool builders will quote, and for a typical 12,000 to 20,000 gallon screened pool itâs the right size. Its 80°F efficiency (COP 6.0) is in line with Haywardâs 140,000 BTU HeatPro and Pentairâs UltraTemp 140, which list COPs of 5.7 and up to 5.8 (see our best pool heat pump guide). Its real advantage over them is labor coverage, not efficiency.
2. Built Right BR115 XW: best for smaller pools and low-flow pumps
Built Right BR115 XW Pool and Spa Heat Pump (117,000 BTU)
- The most efficient model on paper: COP 6.5 at 80°F air and 80% humidity, the highest figure in the XW table.
- It runs at a 20 GPM minimum flow versus 30 GPM for the BR135 models, which suits smaller pools and variable-speed pumps on low settings.
- At $4,850 it cost only $549.99 less than the BR135 XW at the same store, for 18,000 fewer BTU at 80°F and 12,000 fewer at 50°F.
- Slightly smaller cabinet: 42 inches tall and 240 lb, versus 45 inches and 250 lb for the BR135 XW.
Choose the BR115 XW if your pool is under about 12,000 gallons, your pump runs at low flow most of the day, or you only heat during the warmer months. For bigger pools, the BR135 XWâs extra output at 50°F is worth the $549.99, because a heat pumpâs output drops by about 40% between the 80°F and 50°F test points, according to Built Rightâs own figures.
3. Built Right BR135 XW H/C: best value and the only one that cools
Built Right BR135 XW H/C Heat and Cool Heat Pump (130,000 BTU)
- Same 82,000 BTU at 50°F as the heat-only BR135 XW, with a reversing valve that can also chill the pool in July and August.
- Slightly lower ratings at 80°F: 130,000 BTU and COP 5.8, versus 135,000 BTU and COP 6.0 for the heat-only model.
- At The Pool Supply Warehouse it cost $4,599.99 (listed as BR135-1XW H/C), $800 less than the heat-only BR135 XW. That's about $56 per 1,000 BTU of 50°F output, the lowest in the lineup.
- It's the heaviest single-phase XW at 255 lb.
A heat/cool model normally costs more than the heat-only version, and we couldnât find a reason why this store priced it lower. The price may be a sale or a stocking decision, so ask your contractor to quote both. If the H/C quote comes in at or below the heat-only price, itâs the better buy: you give up 5,000 BTU in warm weather and gain cooling for Florida summers, when pool water can get too warm to be refreshing.
4. Built Right BR135 XW-3: for three-phase service only
Built Right BR135 XW-3 Three-Phase Heat Pump
- A three-phase version of the BR135 for homes and small properties with three-phase power. It isn't an upgrade for a normal single-phase home.
- Built Right's website lists the same ratings as the BR135 XW (135,000 BTU, COP 6.0), while its brochure lists 130,000 BTU and COP 6.1, and 85,000 BTU and COP 4.4 at 50°F.
- Note that commercial installs, meaning anything other than a single-family home, get only one year of warranty under the April 2026 terms.
If your site has three-phase power, your contractor will know. Everyone else can skip this model.
What about the S7 series? Built Rightâs current product page lists only the XW models. The S7 line (BR105 S7, BR115 S7, BR135 S7) appears in the 2017 ownerâs manual with a different warranty: 7 years of parts and 2 years of labor. The Pool Supply Warehouse still listed a BR135 S7 at $4,349.99 on November 5, 2026. If youâre quoted an S7, ask which warranty document applies, because the April 2026 PDF doesnât mention a seven-year term.
What changed after Fluidra bought Built Right
Built Right was founded in Punta Gorda in 2010. On January 13, 2021, Zodiac Pool Systems LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fluidra, closed its purchase of âall of the substantial assetsâ of Built Right Pool Heaters LLC for âapproximately USD 10 millionâ, according to Fluidraâs filing with the Spanish securities regulator. Fluidra also owns Jandy, Zodiac and Polaris. At the time, Fluidra North America president Troy Franzen told Pool & Spa News that Built Right would keep its brand and its Punta Gorda location, and that âthere are no plans to change the Built Right product line.â
Five years later, that has mostly held: the heaters are still made in Punta Gorda, and the website still promises a 24-48 hour warranty response from in-house factory technicians in Florida. The paperwork has changed. Comparing the warranty in the current ownerâs manual with the April 2026 PDF:
| Term | Owner's manual warranty (Florida installs after Sept 1, 2017) | Limited warranty BR-W001 (April 13, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues it | Built Right Pool Heaters, LLC | Zodiac Pool Systems LLC, a Fluidra company |
| XW models | 5 years parts, 5 years on-site labor | 5 years parts, 5 years on-site labor (transportation excluded) |
| S7 models | 7 years parts, 2 years labor | Not mentioned |
| Where it applies | Installs in Florida | Products bought and used in the 50 US states |
| Registration | Homeowner must submit the form within 30 days or the warranty is void | No deadline in the PDF (an online registration form is still on the warranty page) |
| Trip charges | Owner pays any trip or travel charge | On-site labor covered, transportation costs excluded |
| Commercial use | Not addressed | 1 year for anything other than a single-family home |
| Installer | Licensed professional | Contractor licensed and qualified in pool equipment where required |
| Water chemistry | Excludes "installations in corrosive environments" | Excludes damage from chemistry outside pH 7.2-7.8, CYA 30-100 ppm, alkalinity 80-120 ppm, hardness under 800 ppm, TDS under 1,500 ppm (salt excluded) |
| Transfer | Original owner and installation site | First retail purchaser only, not transferable, void if the heater is moved |
Two things stand out. First, the warranty no longer depends on a 30-day registration deadline, but register anyway, because the claim process starts with proof of purchase, model, serial number and installation date. Second, thereâs a mismatch on chemistry. Built Rightâs About page says the titanium tubing is covered âfor the entire length of the warranty, regardless of pool chemistry conditions. No exclusions apply.â The April 2026 PDF, which calls itself âthe only warranty given by Built Rightâ, excludes corrosion and scaling caused by chemical imbalance and spells out the acceptable ranges. Keep your water inside those ranges and keep your test records, especially on a salt pool.
Built Right vs. Gulfstream, AquaCal and Pentair
Built Rightâs closest rivals are the heat pumps Florida pool stores stock next to it. Gulfstream is now sold and backed by Pentair, and AquaCal is based in St. Petersburg, Florida. All the prices below come from the same store, The Pool Supply Warehouse in Fort Myers, on November 5, 2026, so theyâre directly comparable:
| Heat pump | BTU / COP at 80°F air | BTU at 50°F air | Price | Per 1,000 BTU (80°F) | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built Right BR115 XW | 117,000 / 6.5 | 70,000 | $4,850 | $41 | 5 yr parts, 5 yr labor |
| Built Right BR135 XW | 135,000 / 6.0 | 82,000 | $5,399.99 | $40 | 5 yr parts, 5 yr labor |
| Built Right BR135 XW H/C | 130,000 / 5.8 | 82,000 | $4,599.99 | $35 | 5 yr parts, 5 yr labor |
| Gulfstream HE110-R-A | 110,000 / 6.1 | Not published (COP 4.0+) | $4,600 | $42 | 7 yr parts, 2 yr labor |
| Gulfstream HE125-R-A | 118,000 / 6.0 | Not published (COP 4.0+) | $4,800 | $41 | 7 yr parts, 2 yr labor |
| Gulfstream HE150-R-A | 138,000 / 6.0 | Not published (COP 4.0+) | $5,200 | $38 | 7 yr parts, 2 yr labor |
| AquaCal TropiCal T115 | 112,000 / 5.6 | 74,000 | $6,499.99 | $58 | See AquaCal guide |
| AquaCal TropiCal T135 | 132,000 / 5.7 | 84,000 | $6,699.99 | $51 | See AquaCal guide |
| Pentair UltraTemp 140 (460934) | 143,000 / up to 5.8 | Not listed by the store | $6,900 | $48 | See UltraTemp review |
Gulfstream ratings and warranty are from Pentairâs 2026 Gulfstream spec sheet, which lists one test point and says every unit meets the AHRI 50°F point at a COP of 4.0 or higher, without giving the BTU. AquaCal ratings are from the storeâs TropiCal listings. The storeâs Gulfstream listings add that 3- and 5-year labor options are available only in Florida.
Three takeaways:
- Built Right and Gulfstream are priced almost the same. The BR115 XW ($4,850) and the HE125-R-A ($4,800) are $50 apart at nearly the same output, and the HE150-R-A is $199.99 cheaper than the BR135 XW for 3,000 more BTU. Shop around and Gulfstream can come in lower: ePoolSupply listed the HE110-RA at $3,242.95, the HE125-RA at $3,444.95 and the HE150-RA at $3,650.95 on November 5, 2026, marked for local pickup. Built Right isnât sold that way at all, so compare installed quotes rather than box prices. See our Gulfstream heat pump guide for that line.
- AquaCal costs $1,300 to $1,650 more at similar sizes. In exchange it publishes complete 50°F figures and has a long Florida track record. Our AquaCal guide covers its warranty and the SQ and HeatWave lines.
- Built Right is the only one here with 5 years of labor as standard. That matters because the costly part of a heat pump repair is often the service call. Coverage for the parts themselves runs longer elsewhere.
Where Built Right falls short
- Florida only, in practice. The warranty covers the 50 states, but Built Rightâs dealer page lists more than 100 dealers across 32 counties, all in Florida, and its fast factory-technician service is described as Florida service. Outside Florida youâd depend on an independent service company, which the warranty says may charge you for parts and labor on any issue it doesnât cover, such as improper installation.
- No published price and no direct sales. You canât buy from Built Right, and your price depends on your contractorâs markup. The store prices above are a useful reference when you check a quote.
- Warm-climate heater. The manual says the heater starts defrost cycles below 48°F air and shouldnât be run below 45°F. That fits Florida, not spring heating in the Northeast. Our gas vs. heat pump guide covers when gas is the better tool.
- Thin public data. Thereâs no decibel rating, the website and brochure disagree on the three-phase model, and the downloadable manual dates from 2017 and still lists models that are no longer on the product page (BR80 XW, BR105 XW).
We found no Built Right recalls in the CPSC recall database on November 5, 2026. For the recalls that do affect pool heaters, see our pool heater recall guide.
Installation requirements from the Built Right manual
Built Rightâs ownerâs manual (version 2.0, for models built after October 1, 2017) sets fewer clearance rules than the big three brands:
| Requirement | Built Right manual |
|---|---|
| Clearance above | At least 4 ft for unrestricted air discharge; not under a walkway or porch |
| Clearance on all sides | At least 6 in from walls or other airflow restrictions |
| Service access | At least 24 in at the control panel |
| Height vs. pool | No more than 6 ft below the water surface (isolation valves required) or 15 ft above it |
| Plumbing order | Pump, filter, heater, chlorinator, pool; rigid PVC only |
| Flow | 45 GPM recommended; bypass required above 70 GPM |
| Multiple heaters | Plumbed in parallel, at least 12 in apart |
| Bonding | Solid copper, 8 AWG or larger, to the pool bonding grid; warranty void if not bonded |
| Condensate | Usually 3 to 5 gallons per hour; pitch the pad away from the equipment |
| Sprinklers and roof run-off | Redirect away from the heater; sprinkler water damage voids the warranty |
Compared with Haywardâs HeatPro (12 inches all around and 72 inches under an overhang) and Pentairâs UltraTemp (12 inches, with 24 inches in front), the 6-inch side clearance is easy to meet on a tight pad. The 4-foot overhead rule is what rules out spots under eaves and stairs. Our heat pump installation guide compares all brandsâ rules, and the electrical requirements guide explains the breaker sizing. For the 3-5 gallon per hour condensate figure, which matches the Hayward and Pentair manuals, see our condensation guide.
Who should buy a Built Right
Choose Built Right if you live in Florida, your pool builder or service company is on its dealer list, and you value 5 years of labor coverage over the longer parts-only terms elsewhere. The BR135 XW fits most in-ground pools. Choose the BR115 XW for smaller pools and low-flow pumps, and the BR135 XW H/C if your contractorâs price is close to the heat-only model. Skip it if you live outside Florida, want to install the heater yourself, or need heat below the mid-40s. For the full brand landscape, see our pool heater brands guide and our pool heater warranty guide.
The bottom line
Built Right is a Punta Gorda heat pump maker that Fluidra bought in 2021 and left largely alone. It builds four 117,000-135,000 BTU XW models rated at three AHRI test points and backs them with 5 years of parts and on-site labor. At a Fort Myers pool store in November 2026, the BR115 XW cost $4,850 and the BR135 XW $5,399.99, within a few hundred dollars of Pentairâs Gulfstream models at the same store and $1,300 or more below AquaCalâs TropiCal line. Gulfstream can be found for less elsewhere, so compare installed quotes. Buy it through a Florida dealer, have a licensed contractor install it, keep your water chemistry inside the warrantyâs ranges, and keep the paperwork.
Sources: Built Right XW pool heaters page, Built Right XW Series brochure (March 2026), Built Right Limited Warranty BR-W001 (April 13, 2026), Built Right ownerâs manual, version 2.0, Built Right About page, Built Right local dealers, Fluidra filing to the Spanish securities regulator (January 13, 2021), Pool & Spa News: Fluidra Acquires Heat Pump Maker, Pentair Gulfstream heat pumps spec sheet (2026), The Pool Supply Warehouse: Built Right heaters.