Everything You Need to Know About Heating Your Swimming Pool

Depending on your region, heating your swimming pool may be necessary. Keeping the pool water at a nice temperature ensures that your swimmers are happy, but can also come with a high price tag, depending on the method you use. 

According to Energy Saver, each degree rise in temperature will cost the pool owner 10%-30% more in energy costs. If you choose to heat your swimming pool, make sure that you are maintaining the pool’s temperature to ensure that it’s comfortable and being heated as efficiently as possible.

How Long Does It Take to Heat a Pool?

The amount of time it takes to heat a swimming pool depends on various factors, including the size of the pool, the desired temperature, the type of heater, and the ambient temperature.

Assuming that you are using a gas pool heater, which is a common type of pool heater, and that the pool is of average size (about 16′ x 32′), it would take approximately 8-12 hours to raise the temperature of the water by 10 degrees Fahrenheit (5.6 degrees Celsius), assuming the ambient temperature is around 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit (10-15 degrees Celsius). However, it could take longer if the pool is larger or the desired temperature increase is greater.

Other factors that can affect heating time include the efficiency of the heater, the quality of the pool cover (if used), and the weather conditions. 

It is important to note that using a pool cover can help to reduce heat loss and can therefore decrease the amount of time it takes to heat the pool. Additionally, it is recommended to keep the pool covered when not in use to help maintain the desired temperature and reduce heating costs.

Types of Pool Heaters

Here are some tips from LinerWorld on the different ways to heat your swimming pool!

Gas Pool Heaters

Known to heat pools quickly, gas pool heaters are a great choice if you typically warm up your swimming pool for short periods of time, like when you have company over or if your pool gets intermittent use. 

This type of heating system is the most popular choice among pool owners and uses either natural gas or propane to keep the temperature at your desired spot, no matter what climate you live in.

How Gas Pool Heaters Operate

Using the water drawn up by the pool’s pump, gas pool heaters circulate this water through their heating element, returning the warm water to the swimming pool.

Choosing a Gas Pool Heater Size

It’s important to consult with a pool professional when selecting the appropriate size gas pool heater for your needs. Some important information to bring to a swimming pool expert when picking out a heater includes the desired pool temperature and the square footage of your swimming pool.

Installation & Maintenance of Gas Pool Heaters

This type of heating element operates at 89%-95% efficiency. Properly installing your gas pool heater ensures that it will run at peak performance, saving you money. Performing routine maintenance also extends the lifespan of your heater as well.

Heat Pump Pool Heaters

This method of heating your swimming pool is ideal for pool owners living in a milder climate with temperatures above 45 degrees. Heat pumps rely on the outside air as part of their heating process, causing cold air to make them run more inefficiently and raising your energy costs. 

While heat pumps typically cost more upfront, they have a much longer lifespan compared to their gas heater counterpart.

How Heat Pump Pool Heaters Operate

This style of pool heater does not actually generate any heat but uses electricity to take the heat and move it from one place to another. Similarly to gas heaters, heat pumps rely on the swimming pool’s pump to circulate water into its mechanisms and use a series of fans, compressors, and coils to transfer heat into the pool water.

Choosing a Heat Pump Size

As with any style of swimming pool heater, your heat pump should be sized according to the expertise of a pool professional. They will help you determine different factors that contribute to the appropriate sizing of your pump.

Installation & Maintenance of Heat Pump Pool Heaters

When selecting a heat pump for your swimming pool, it’s important to consider its efficiency level or the coefficient of performance (COP). Typically speaking, the average pump that warms the water to 80 degrees runs at 300%-700% efficiency or 3.0-7.0 COP. 

Properly installing your heat pump by a professional will ensure your heater’s longevity and energy efficiency. Due to their mechanical nature, heat pumps need annual tune-ups, which can be performed by an air conditioning technician.

Solar-Powered Pool Heaters

The most cost-effective swimming pool heating option, solar-powered pool heaters are a great choice for almost any climate. This heating method typically comes in two options; solar heat panels and solar pool covers. Both routes provide cost-saving and energy efficiency for your swimming pool.

How Solar-Powered Pool Heaters Work

Both solar heat panels and solar pool covers have differing levels of complexity, with solar panels having the most mechanical components over solar covers. One thing that remains the same between both heating options is how solar power works to heat your pool. According to The Renewable Energy Hub, “the heat will be collected from the solar collector and transferred to the swimming pool.”

Choosing a Solar-Powered Pool Heater

Depending on which style of solar heater you choose comes with a wide range of price tags. The size of your pool directly impacts the number of solar panels or the size of cover you need.

Installation & Maintenance of Solar-Powered Pool Heaters

It’s important to always consult with a pool professional when making a decision on a pool heating system. Solar-powered pool heaters have more unique factors that need to be considered compared to gas and heat pump options. If properly maintained, solar heating systems’ lifespan is estimated at around 10-20 years.

Discover more information about heating your swimming pool on LinerWorld’s blog!

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