Pool Heating – Is It Worth It?

Pool Heating – Is It Worth It?

How much swimming pool time do you want and at what temperature?

Pool heating may seem like an expensive add-on to enjoy your pool a little bit longer each year, however if you have been swimming in a heated pool before, you know that it is quite an enjoyable experience. To have that available to you whenever you like, could be just the motivation you need to get out and about exercising and relaxing. Pool heating gives the ability to heat your pool when you want and to extend those swimming months as it gets cooler, increasing your pool enjoyment, adding value to your pool and your property.

Having the pool at a nice 24-30 degrees gives your pool swimming experience that elevation to really enjoy your backyard area, to relax and unwind. Let’s look at a few different options for pool heating and the advantages and disadvantages they include.

Solar Pool Heating

Solar heating is a popular method of heating a pool. It involves pumping pool water through a series of tubes mounted on the roof. These tubes are heated by the sun, which heats the circulating water, returning it to the pool and continues this process until the pool reaches the desired temperature level.

Advantages of Solar Pool Heating

  • Small energy consumption/running costs and leveraging the sun for energy/heating
  • Great warranty on collector, often up to 15 years manufacturers warranty
  • Good for the environment
  • Can easily extend swimming season by 6-12 weeks pending location

Disadvantages

  • There’s an initial cost to set it up
  • Requires good weather conditions to heat the pool water running through the tubes on the roof
  • Additional space is need for the solar collectors on the roof
Pool Heat Pumps

Pool Heat pumps are surprisingly quite similar to solar heating options, in the way in which they use natural energy from their environment. In fact, 80% of the energy for a heat pump comes from the air and only 20% of the energy is provided by electricity. To run these of course does cost more money for the electricity required and it can depend if your looking at extending the season or wanting an all year round solution.

They use fans to circulate air through an outer evaporator air coil that acts as a heat collector. The liquid refrigerant in the air coil absorbs the available heat in the air and transforms it into gas. When this warmed gas is compressed, it concentrates the heat and is then pumped into the heat condenser where it is transferred into the water. If that is too much information why not get one of our team out for a chat or one of our preferred pool heating partners.

Advantages of Pool Heat Pumps

  • Considered Energy Efficient, but you will use more electricity
  • Low running costs if sized correctly and installed with a pool blanket
  • Quiet when installed correctly
  • Ability to heat water quickly

Disadvantages

  • More expensive to run ongoing than Solar
  • Must be installed outdoors or ventilated to outdoors
  • Not ideal for colder climates
  • If wanting all year round heating you should get some expert advice and costings on the cost to run them
  • You will need a location near the pool ideally or down the side of your house

These are the main options available today for pool heating. They may help to give you a better idea of what to expect and how to proceed when looking into pool heating. Other things will also play a determining factor in cost and heating calculations such as the pool surface area, water temperature required, wind exposure, climate and location.

We would love to have a chat about your pool heating needs and for a free on-site quote, give you local Jim’s Pool Care expert a call today on 131 546 and they can help you decide which option is best for your pool and budget.

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