Solar, Electric Heat Pump for a pool which is best?
Before deciding to invest in a heating system, there are advantages and challenges that you need to consider. Heating your swimming pool could be an advantage for you and your family’s lifestyle if you are planning on swimming, relaxing or exercising throughout the seasons. However, if you only invested in a swimming pool to beat the summer heat and cool down, it may not be worth investing in a heater for use in other seasons.
It is a misconception that you do not require heating if you live in a warm climate. Even if you are living within the warmest regions, your brisbane fibreglass pool temperature in the hottest months will be around 30 degrees. In the cooler months, your pool temperature drops over 10 degrees. However, if you live in the cooler regions of Australia, the pool temperature in summer is only between 16 and 22 degrees.
If you already have a swimming pool, and are not able to use it as much as you would like due to the cooler weather, then take some time to research swimming pool heaters. Or maybe you are looking at installing a brand new pool in your backyard and are considering having a heating system to allow you to enjoy swimming in your pool all year-round. There are quite a few options for swimming pool heaters, and here we look at the solar option as well as the electric heat pump heater. Let’s see which one is cost-effective in the long run.
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Solar Pool Heating System
This is a very popular heating option because of the environmental energy efficiency as well as its financial efficiency. The solar panels installed on the roof of your house will provide a power source and will not consume your energy costs. The solar pump will run the cool water from your pool up to the set of tubes on the roof of your house. As the water passes through them, it heats up, then the warm water goes back into the pool. This process allows an even temperature throughout the water of your pool. You can set your preferred temperature and the sensors will monitor the water temperature. If the water needs heating, the solar valve opens and transfers the pool water to the solar panels, where the water gets heated and then pushed back into the pool. This procedure repeats till the swimming pool water attains its desired temperature. While this is great in theory, the downfall is that solar is not effective when there is no sun or there is cloud cover. This can be inconvenient if your pool hasn’t heated up enough and you want to have a swim. Some people will install a secondary heating source like electric or gas as a back up in those situations.
Maintenance, Lifespan and Cost of solar pool heaters
The great news is that solar panels are very hard wearing and long lasting, and will easily last over 15 years. They also do not require any maintenance. Solar is a cost-effective way to heat swimming pools, and typically will pay for themselves within three to five years.
Electric Pool Heaters
The great thing about electric pool heaters is that they heat up the pool more quickly and more effectively than solar. It will benefit those who don’t want to use their pool regularly. However, they are not as environmentally friendly and are more expensive than solar. Electric heaters utilize the humidity and heat from the air using a heat exchanger, they are usually more reliable than solar units because they don’t rely on the physical rays of the sun, as they can also collect heat from the air and even overnight as well. Unfortunately electric heaters are not as cost effective to run as solar heating systems. However, they aren’t as expensive as gas systems. The gas pool heater is still very popular, but many people go for the electric heater because it is less expensive. While the electric heater may appear more economical, it may not be an efficient option, because the temperature outside still needs to be above eight degrees Celsius for it to operate efficiently, which is where some people need to opt for gas.
Maintenance, Lifespan & Cost of electric pool heaters
Electric heaters will last for about ten years, and require a thorough clean of the coils at least annually. The initial cost ranges between $3000 and $7500 to purchase and install an electric pool heater, then the ongoing cost ranges from $730 to $2,700+ annually (without using a pool cover).
Which Pool Heating System Is Right for My Pool?
The great thing about fiberglass pools from Barrier Reef Pools Perth is that they insulate and retain heat more effectively than other pool types (concrete/vinyl), which means they will heat up to your desired temperature more quickly.
If you would like to continue swimming through the cooler months of the year, of course you will benefit from installing some sort of heating. However, if you plan to only use your pool in summer, then a heating system could be a waste of money. Keep in mind the size of your pool, because a larger pool will require a bigger and more costly heating system for consistent warm water temperatures. If you want to use your swimming pool often, then a solar pool heater will be the best option, as it will help you save on your energy consumption and save you money.
Whichever option you choose, you should invest in a pool cover, because a cover will significantly reduce the heat loss, as well as help to retain the warmth in your pool. This means less heating time, and can save you money on your heating bills. Plus a pool cover will also protect from debris and reduce cleaning too.
Please feel free to reach out to us here at Barrier Reef Pools Perth, as our friendly team of pool experts will be happy to answer any of your questions about pool heating, and which system will work best for your pool.
