Quick and costly, or long-term with bigger savings? Choosing the best heating option for you comes down to how your household uses your pool – do you need flexibility, speed or cost savings?
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Flexibility in pool heating (at a cost)
Gas heaters are incredibly powerful and can heat your pool in the shortest time, making them a flexible option if you don’t necessarily need your pool to be kept warm every day. You can switch it on in the morning and be swimming in the evening, since it can take as little as four hours for a gas heater to warm a pool to a swimmable temperature during chilly seasons.
So, what’s the catch? Using gas is significantly more costly than using electricity or solar power. Gas pool heaters use natural or LPG gas, which has risen drastically in cost over the last few years and can fluctuate enormously from month to month. To give you an idea, gas prices increased over 300% between 2018 and 2022.
While gas heaters have speed and temperature accuracy on their side, they aren’t as cost-effective as other pool heating options. However, they can be a good choice for plunge pools or spas that take less time and gas to heat on demand.
Long-term, cost-effective heating
Add a pool blanket.
Some pool owners don’t like the look of pool blankets, but today’s varieties are much neater and easier to use than models from a decade ago.
Pool covers limit heat loss through evaporation and can help to heat your pool by as many as eight degrees Celsius! It also prevents dirt and debris from entering your pool, which in turn reduces the cost of running. You won’t need to spend money treating your pool water as frequently because of dirt, evaporation and water imbalances from top-ups or rain.
By retaining accumulated warmth, pool covers also reduce the workload on your pool heater, which translates to even more savings on your electricity bill. Be sure to choose a well-fitted pool blanket for maximum benefit. A 400-micron cover is the most popular choice for most pool owners, due to its durability, colour options and five-year pro-rata warranty.
Keep your pool at a comfortable, not-too-high temperature
It’s tempting to crank the pool up to 30 degrees Celsius when it’s cold, but every degree in temperature can cost 10-30% more in energy costs. Instead, keep it at a swimmable temperature (typically 27 or 28 degrees Celsius) and even consider turning the temperature down if you know you won’t use the pool on weekdays, for example.
Choose the right heat pump size.
It’s best to ask a professional to size up your electric heat pump. It may cost less to buy a smaller unit initially, but you’ll pay for it long-term because it has to work harder to get your pool to temperature. You’re better off going slightly bigger than too small. We can help you choose a size that suits your pool to give you the most economical and effective pool heating solution.
Making sure you get the right heater for the job
Before making any decision as big as the choice of pool heater – remembering that it’s a choice you’ll be living with for a decade or two! – it’s a good idea to ask an expert. Good advice is only a phone call away, and our team are also happy to provide complimentary quotes on heater size and type, and installation costs.
