Warming Your Pool House: Efficient Heating Solutions

Heating a pool can be expensive, but there are several ways to do it efficiently and cost-effectively. The best method for you will depend on your budget, the size of your pool, and your local climate.

Solar heating is a popular option for those looking for a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution. Solar pool covers, for example, can increase a pool's temperature by up to 15 degrees and prevent 95% of evaporation. Solar domes, rings, mats, and liquid covers are also available.

For those with smaller pools, the black hose trick can be an affordable solution. This involves coiling a black hose in direct sunlight and running the warm water into the pool.

Other heating options include heat pumps, gas or propane heaters, and electric heaters. These options tend to be more expensive to install and run but are more powerful and suitable for larger pools.

To reduce heating costs, it's important to insulate your pool and maintain proper pool insulation. Regularly servicing your pool's mechanical systems and covering the pool at night to retain heat can also help.

Solar pool covers

When using a solar pool cover, it is important to ensure proper sizing to maximise its effectiveness. Additionally, they should not be used immediately after shocking the pool with high concentrations of chlorine, as this may cause damage. Proper storage and cleaning are also essential to prevent mould and increase the cover's longevity.

Liquid solar pool covers

Liquid solar covers work by forming a monolayer or a monomolecular layer on the water surface, acting as an evaporation suppressant. This invisible barrier helps control the rate of vapour escape, preventing water evaporation and heat loss. They are safe, non-toxic, and biodegradable, posing negligible toxic risks when used as recommended.

Liquid solar covers are easy to use and can be applied by pouring the required amount into the pool skimmer or directly into the pool. The liquid will then float to the top and disperse, binding together to form the blanket. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the correct amount and create a schedule for regular applications to maintain effectiveness.

Liquid solar covers offer several advantages over traditional solar blankets. They eliminate the need for daily covering and uncovering, do not break down like plastic, and pose no risk of drowning or entrapment. They are also more convenient for swimmers as they quickly reform after being disrupted by swimmers. Additionally, liquid solar covers can reduce water evaporation by up to 40% and save up to 1500 gallons of water, resulting in cost and energy savings.

Solar domes

The dome-shaped pool cover consists of vinyl and aluminium closings, turning your outdoor pool into an indoor one. Its clear material allows sunlight to enter while preventing heat from escaping. The solar dome is suitable for swimming pools of different sizes, both above and underground, and multiple heaters can be connected to increase heating.

The solar dome is easy to install and store. Detailed instructions guide you through the setup process, which only takes a few minutes. When using the heater, prop up the two legs to align the coil with the sun for maximum efficiency. When not in use, the legs can be folded to save space.

The solar dome is an excellent safety precaution, preventing rubbish from getting into the pool and reducing the need for cleaning. It also cuts out up to 60% of UV light, providing safer swimming conditions for your family and reducing the risk of sunburn.

The dome provides a warm environment, allowing you to swim comfortably regardless of the weather outside. It will heat your pool no matter the state you live in, increasing your pool usage by several months a year. In most cases, solar roof heating is not required, as the dome is sufficient for heating your pool.

Insulation

For in-ground pools, install a rigid panel insulation around the pool base. This will allow less heat to escape and reduce energy costs.

Above-ground pools will require a bit more work as you'll need to redo the insulation each time you take a swim. Cover the water with a surface blanket that fits the dimensions of your pool. Then, tie ropes to the edges of the pool to secure the blanket from windy and rainy conditions, ensuring that as little heat as possible escapes.

If you're building a new pool, consider insulating the pool shell. High-density EPS rigid foam panels are recommended, but you can also use insulated concrete forms (ICFs) to create the structure and keep the heat in the water.

In addition to insulating the pool itself, you can also build a windproof enclosure or install a windscreen fence to reduce heat loss due to wind.

Finally, don't forget to insulate any pipes or equipment associated with your pool's heating system. When using an air conditioner as a heat source, for example, you'll need to make alterations to the piping around the swimming pool filter.

Heat pumps

• As the pool water circulates through the pool pump, it passes through a filter and the heat pump heater.
• The heat pump heater has a fan that draws in outside air and directs it over the evaporator coil.
• Liquid refrigerant within the evaporator coil absorbs the heat from the outside air and becomes a gas.
• The warm gas in the coil then passes through the compressor, which increases the heat, creating a very hot gas.
• The hot gas passes through the condenser, which transfers the heat from the hot gas to the cooler pool water circulating through the heater.
• The heated water then returns to the pool.
• The hot gas, as it flows through the condenser coil, returns to liquid form and back to the evaporator, where the process begins again.

There are a few things to keep in mind when installing a heat pump for your pool:

• Choose a location for your heat pump where it can get a good flow of air. Optimum efficiency relies on good airflow.
• Try to locate the heat pump close to the pool pump to minimise friction in the pipes.
• Most heat pumps have a nominal water flow rate stated on their specification charts. If the water flow is too low, the heat pump may overheat and shut off.
• The base for the heat pump should be level and sound. You can use a concrete base, paving slabs laid on sand, or timber decking.
• The heat pump can be installed above or below the water level, as long as the pool circulation pump is powerful enough to deliver the required water flow rate.

Frequently asked questions