Should I heat my Swimming Pool? What Do I need to Consider?

Installing a swimming pool can provide you with a great way to stay in shape, an excellent place to cool off and a place where your family can spend countless hours of enjoyment. Once a pool has been installed, one of the next things that you will need to think about is heating your swimming pool. There are several things that you will need to consider before you look at ways to heat your pool.
 
One of the best reasons for having your pool heated is that it will extend your swimming season. Instead of just being able to use your pool for the two or three hottest months of the year, you will be able to draw out your season. Some pool owners find that pool heaters can double and even triple their swimming season and give them a much better return on their investment.
 
Swimming pool heaters make the water much more comfortable. Water that is between 24 to 26 degrees C is ideal and makes the swimming pool more comfortable for swimming. Water temperature fluctuates naturally and using pool heaters helps to set and maintain the most comfortable temperatures that are idea for swimming.
 
Types of Swimming Pool Heaters
 
You have the option of installing a gas heater, a heat pump or solar pool heaters. Each system has its pros and cons, so you will need to consider the system carefully before you decide to purchase it and have it installed (or install it yourself).
 
Gas heaters are among the most popular option for pool owners. The newer models of these heaters are a lot more efficient that their counterparts of even just a few years ago. These heaters run on propane or natural gas and they work to heat the pool water extremely quickly, which makes them a great choice if you do not use your pool often and don’t keep it heated constantly.


 
Heat Pumps one of the most energy efficient, yes even compared to solar! A heat pump uses the same principle as reverse cycle air conditioners. They extract heat from the air (even down to sub zero temperatures) and through a series of compression and transference technology it then heats the pool water. These work in almost any temperature with some models available to cater for sub zero temperatures as well as indoor installations.

 

Solar heating systems consist of a series of solar panels on a nearby rooftop or they can also be comprised of a series of black pipes that are run along the ground in tight coils. The water is circulated through these pipes which obtain their heat from the sun.


 
Things you need to know when Choosing Swimming Pool Heaters
 

• The size of heater that is required for your pool volume and surface area

• The swimming pool temperature you want to maintain

• The average temperature of the pool during the coldest month you will be using the pool

• The surface of the pool area

• The efficiency of the heater

• Costs of running the heater

When your pool is heated, you can use a solar pool cover or blanket to help retain the heat that is in the pool. This can help to keep your pool heating costs down. You can run the pool heater on a timer, depending upon the times that you will be using the pool. If you only use your pool on weekends, for example, you can leave the heater off through the week and turn it on Friday evening to heat the pool up for Saturday and Sunday.

Please ask us for advice if you are considering purchasing a heating system for your pool.