Pool Heaters Vs Heat Pumps - Which is the better option?
Being able to warm your pool up allows you to swim comfortably when the weather starts cooling off. Heating can be installed during the building process or to an existing pool. Two popular pool heating methods are pool heaters and heat pumps. Which is better, we hear you ask? Let us explain the two, so you can decide.
About Pool Heaters
When it comes to pool heaters, there are two main types to choose from and they are solar and gas. Gas is the original heating system, and for many years it was the only option around. Solar is newer to the heating scene and has become a go-to choice for many due to its sustainability. Here’s a rundown of how they work:
Gas
How does it work?
Gas is burned to heat coils inside a combustion chamber within the heater. Cold water from the pool passes through this and gets heated along the way. It is then directed back to the pool at an increased temperature.
What Are The Benefits Of Gas Heating?
Cheaper initial installation cost
Gas heaters tend to be priced lower than heat pumps. So, if saving money on the installation is a priority, this may be a sound choice.
Heats The Water Effectively
Gas heating is favoured for its efficient heating. It’s dependable and can heat the water faster than most other types.
Doesn't Rely On External Factors To Work
Gas is self-sufficient and runs using its own energy rather than relying on an external source like solar and heat pumps do.
Perfect For Spas
Gas is fantastic at heating the water quickly which makes them highly suitable for spas.
Ideal For Cold Climates
The colder the climate, the more likely you are to use your heating and the more effective you want it to be. Gas can bring the water temperature up higher than many other types of heating.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Gas Heating?
It's Not Eco-Friendly
While it works the best of all the heating options, it’s not the best for the environment. Burning gas creates greenhouse gases that pollute the air. Gas heating consumes a lot of energy, and you can most certainly expect your electricity bills to reflect that.
Better Used As A Secondary Heating Source
Due to their high energy consumption and the cost to run them, they are better used as a secondary source with a more economical option used as the primary source.
Solar
How Does It Work?
Rather than depending on artificial energy to work, solar utilises natural energy from the sun to warm the pool water. Water from the pool is pumped up to a series of tubes that are secured on your hot roof. The heat from the sun warms up the water as it travels through the tubes. This heated water is then sent back to the swimming pool.
What Are The Benefits Of Solar Heating?
Sustainable And Eco-Friendly
As solar uses the sun as its main energy source, it’s an earth-friendly option that is gentler on the environment.
Running Costs Are Minimal
Solar heating consumes the least energy out of all the heating options. Reducing your bills is always a good thing, and this is a huge selling point for many.
Quieter To Run
Some heating systems can be loud when running. For most, the sound of a solar heating system is almost inaudible.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Solar Heating?
Only Works Well When There Is Sun
As solar relies heavily upon the sun to work, when there isn’t much of it around or the day is relatively overcast, it doesn’t work as well. This can be a hassle when you want to go swimming, but the heater cannot bring the water up to a temperature that’s comfortable enough to do so.
Heats The Water Slowly
The rate that the water warms is much slower than that of a gas heater, and it can take up to 6 hours to heat the pool up on a day with full sun. Without plenty of sun during the day, it can take even longer.
Heat Pump
How Does It Work?
Heat pumps are commonly referred to as electric pool heaters, and when doing your research, you’ll notice the term is used interchangeably. Using electricity, they capture heat and humidity from the air and transfer it to a heat exchanger. Water from the pool travels through the heat exchanger to raise its temperature.
What Are The Benefits Of A Heat Pump?
More Affordable Than Gas Heaters
While heat pumps are generally more expensive up front, the long-term running costs tend to be a lot less than a gas heater.
Highly Dependable In Warm Climates
If you live in a warmer part of the country, a heat pump can be highly beneficial. As it sources warmth from the air, it’s likely to work to its full potential often.
Fantastic At Maintaining A Consistent Temperature
Heat pumps work well to maintain a consistent temperature in the pool, so if you like to use your pool often, they are a great option.
What Are The Disadvantages Of A Heat Pump?
They Can Be Slow
If you want to be able to heat the water instantaneously, this isn’t the best choice as it can take a while to work.
Doesn't Work Efficiently When The Weather Is Cool
If your area experiences a lot of cooler days, a heat pump may not raise the temperature enough to swim in winter.
You Should Factor In The Following Things Before Purchasing A Heating Solution For Your Swimming Pool:
How Much Use Would You Get Out Of Heating For Your Pool?
If the climate is warm where you live, you may not use pool heating as much as someone who lives in a cold climate however, that doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from installing one. If you are happy to put swimming on hold during winter or you don’t mind if the water is cold, you may not get much use out of one. If you want to be able to swim every month of the year, installing a heating system or pump can allow you to do that. Fibreglass pools naturally retain warmth due to their construction process which makes them highly compatible with all types of pool heating.
The Size Of Your Pool
The size of your pool can determine what kind of heating you need. For instance, you don’t what a small heating system for a big pool, it’s simply not going to do the job. Work out which heater type is designed for use for your pool size to get the best results.
Use A Pool Cover
One of the easiest ways to get the most from your heating is by using a pool cover. They can prevent heat loss and keep your pool warmer for longer. This can reduce the amount of time your heater needs to run for and therefore save you money.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this post has provided you with a basic idea of what pool heaters and heat pumps are. If you have any questions about pool heating or pools in general, just ask us here at Barrier Reef Pools. We are fibreglass pool specialists with decades of experience, and we’d love to help!
Pool Heaters Vs Heat Pumps - Which is the better option?
Being able to warm your pool up allows you to swim comfortably when the weather starts cooling off. Heating can be installed during the building process or to an existing pool. Two popular pool heating methods are pool heaters and heat pumps. Which is better, we hear you ask? Let us explain the two, so you can decide.
About Pool Heaters
When it comes to pool heaters, there are two main types to choose from and they are solar and gas. Gas is the original heating system, and for many years it was the only option around. Solar is newer to the heating scene and has become a go-to choice for many due to its sustainability. Here’s a rundown of how they work:
Gas
How does it work?
Gas is burned to heat coils inside a combustion chamber within the heater. Cold water from the pool passes through this and gets heated along the way. It is then directed back to the pool at an increased temperature.
What Are The Benefits Of Gas Heating?
Cheaper initial installation cost
Gas heaters tend to be priced lower than heat pumps. So, if saving money on the installation is a priority, this may be a sound choice.
Heats The Water Effectively
Gas heating is favoured for its efficient heating. It’s dependable and can heat the water faster than most other types.
Doesn't Rely On External Factors To Work
Gas is self-sufficient and runs using its own energy rather than relying on an external source like solar and heat pumps do.
Perfect For Spas
Gas is fantastic at heating the water quickly which makes them highly suitable for spas.
Ideal For Cold Climates
The colder the climate, the more likely you are to use your heating and the more effective you want it to be. Gas can bring the water temperature up higher than many other types of heating.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Gas Heating?
It's Not Eco-Friendly
While it works the best of all the heating options, it’s not the best for the environment. Burning gas creates greenhouse gases that pollute the air. Gas heating consumes a lot of energy, and you can most certainly expect your electricity bills to reflect that.
Better Used As A Secondary Heating Source
Due to their high energy consumption and the cost to run them, they are better used as a secondary source with a more economical option used as the primary source.
Solar
How Does It Work?
Rather than depending on artificial energy to work, solar utilises natural energy from the sun to warm the pool water. Water from the pool is pumped up to a series of tubes that are secured on your hot roof. The heat from the sun warms up the water as it travels through the tubes. This heated water is then sent back to the swimming pool.
What Are The Benefits Of Solar Heating?
Sustainable And Eco-Friendly
As solar uses the sun as its main energy source, it’s an earth-friendly option that is gentler on the environment.
Running Costs Are Minimal
Solar heating consumes the least energy out of all the heating options. Reducing your bills is always a good thing, and this is a huge selling point for many.
Quieter To Run
Some heating systems can be loud when running. For most, the sound of a solar heating system is almost inaudible.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Solar Heating?
Only Works Well When There Is Sun
As solar relies heavily upon the sun to work, when there isn’t much of it around or the day is relatively overcast, it doesn’t work as well. This can be a hassle when you want to go swimming, but the heater cannot bring the water up to a temperature that’s comfortable enough to do so.
Heats The Water Slowly
The rate that the water warms is much slower than that of a gas heater, and it can take up to 6 hours to heat the pool up on a day with full sun. Without plenty of sun during the day, it can take even longer.
Heat Pump
How Does It Work?
Heat pumps are commonly referred to as electric pool heaters, and when doing your research, you’ll notice the term is used interchangeably. Using electricity, they capture heat and humidity from the air and transfer it to a heat exchanger. Water from the pool travels through the heat exchanger to raise its temperature.
What Are The Benefits Of A Heat Pump?
More Affordable Than Gas Heaters
While heat pumps are generally more expensive up front, the long-term running costs tend to be a lot less than a gas heater.
Highly Dependable In Warm Climates
If you live in a warmer part of the country, a heat pump can be highly beneficial. As it sources warmth from the air, it’s likely to work to its full potential often.
Fantastic At Maintaining A Consistent Temperature
Heat pumps work well to maintain a consistent temperature in the pool, so if you like to use your pool often, they are a great option.
What Are The Disadvantages Of A Heat Pump?
They Can Be Slow
If you want to be able to heat the water instantaneously, this isn’t the best choice as it can take a while to work.
Doesn't Work Efficiently When The Weather Is Cool
If your area experiences a lot of cooler days, a heat pump may not raise the temperature enough to swim in winter.
You Should Factor In The Following Things Before Purchasing A Heating Solution For Your Swimming Pool:
How Much Use Would You Get Out Of Heating For Your Pool?
If the climate is warm where you live, you may not use pool heating as much as someone who lives in a cold climate however, that doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from installing one. If you are happy to put swimming on hold during winter or you don’t mind if the water is cold, you may not get much use out of one. If you want to be able to swim every month of the year, installing a heating system or pump can allow you to do that. Fibreglass pools naturally retain warmth due to their construction process which makes them highly compatible with all types of pool heating.
The Size Of Your Pool
The size of your pool can determine what kind of heating you need. For instance, you don’t what a small heating system for a big pool, it’s simply not going to do the job. Work out which heater type is designed for use for your pool size to get the best results.
Use A Pool Cover
One of the easiest ways to get the most from your heating is by using a pool cover. They can prevent heat loss and keep your pool warmer for longer. This can reduce the amount of time your heater needs to run for and therefore save you money.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this post has provided you with a basic idea of what pool heaters and heat pumps are. If you have any questions about pool heating or pools in general, just ask us here at Barrier Reef Pools. We are fibreglass pool specialists with decades of experience, and we’d love to help!
