Pool Heating FAQ
Solar Pool Heating FAQs
How Does Solar Pool Heating Work?
Solar pool heating is installed with a solar booster pump and solar controller. The controller allows you to set the temperature to what you want, most people find 26-28 degrees a good temperature for their swimming pool.
The controller measures the water temperature and the roof temperature. If the water temp drops below what you have set it to, it will turn the booster pump on and send the water to the roof to heat, once you have reached the set temperature it will automatically turn off. This allows for a completely automated pool heating system
How Warm Can Solar Pool Heating Get To?
The controller can be set to up to 40 degrees, realistically 28 degrees is achievable for up to 9 months of the year. Whether you use a pool cover overnight or not will also impact the temperature you can achieve. Every pool is different, waterfront properties will find they experience higher heat loss due to the wind exposure over the pool. Above ground pools will also lose more heat overnight. Some customers that have severe shading and wind exposure may want to increase the solar installed to get faster heating for this reason.
Can Solar Pool Heating Work In Winter?
Solar pool heating will add up to 10 degrees to the water temperature, so in winter when some pools get down to 10-12 degrees this is still not going to be warm enough to enjoy. If using a pool cover and having a larger system installed it is possible to get use out of your pool with solar on warmer days though!
How Long Does Solar Pool Heating Last For?
Solar Pool Heating has a fantastic life expectancy with some of our products having a 25 year warranty.
Which Is better: an electric heat pump or solar pool heating?
This is a common question we get all the time. The answer to this depends on what you are wanting from your pool. To get up to 9 months a year for family swimming, with minimal running costs then solar is by far the best way to heat your pool. Solar can actually heat up to 4 times faster than a heat pump! However if you need your pool for hydrotherapy 365 days a year then a heat pump is going to be the better option for you, to guarantee you can use your pool every single day.
How expensive is solar pool heating to run?
Depending on the set up solar pool heating can actually be free to run with no running costs. Generally we install a solar controller and booster pump, which use minimal electricity, and with solar pool heating running during daylight hours, if you have solar panels this will be offset.
How many months does solar work for?
Generally we would advise that solar pool heating is suitable for up to 9 months a year, it would not provide adequate heating for June, July and August, unless you increased the size of the solar and used a pool cover, then you would get heating on sunny days in the winter.
How effective is solar pool heating?
Solar Pool Heating is the most cost effective and sustainable way to heat a swimming pool. With a 20 life expectancy and, heating up to 4 times faster than a heat pump, minimal running costs, it is by far the best way to get the most out of your pool.
Which Solar Pool Heating Product is best?
We offer a range of solar pool heating solutions, they all have different qualities. Which option is best for you depends on a few factors. Cockatoo issues? They the cockatoo proof rigid solar pool heating is by far your best option. Wanting a higher performance system, then the nanotek solar pool heating or heatseeker plus solar would be your best choice. Solar pool heating on a budget, but want a quality product? Then the standard solar pool heating still offers a 10 year warranty and is Australian made!
Heat Pump FAQs
What size heat pump do i need?
The way we size a heat pump is based on a few factors.
The size of the pool surface area and pool volume is the main starting point.
Pools up to 30,000 we would recommend 10-13kW
Pools up to 40,000 then 13kW would suit
Pools up to 50,000 a 17kW heat pump
Pools up to 60,000 a 21kW heat pump
Pools up to 80,000 a 28kW heat pump
Pools up to 100,000 a 35kW heat pump.
These sizes assume you use a pool cover, if you don’t use a pool cover then generally we would upsize by 2 sizes to cope with the heat loss over night in the cooler months.
Other factors we consider when sizing heat pumps is how much shade the pool gets, the wind exposure, number of users in the pool, and if the pool is above ground.
For example a Plungie or plunge pool heat pump would need a slighter large unit if situated above ground level to ensure you are getting the heating you need year round. We generally recommend 13-17kW for our plungie heat pumps.
How much does it cost to run an electric pool heater?
Using a pool cover will dramatically reduce the running costs of a heat pump. Without a pool cover depending on the size of your pool running costs for an electric heat pump can be in excess of $2000 a year. With a pool cover the average sized family pool would range from $400-$800 a year.
Can electric pool heaters run off solar panels?
Yes, when customers have electric solar panels installed, we put the heat pump on timers so it runs during the daylight hours only when your solar panels are generating electricity
What is the most effective way to heat a pool?
Solar Pool Heating is the most cost effective and sustainable way to heat a swimming pool. Heating up to 4 times faster than a heat pump, minimal running costs, it is by far the best way to get the most out of your pool, however solar will only provide heating for up to 9 months a year
For customers wanting the pool 365 a year then a heat pump will be the most suitable option.
Do I need a pool cover with my pool heater?
To realise the operating savings and efficiency of inverter technology it is important to maintain a consistent temperature within 2°C of the desired pool water temperature. We strongly advise the use of a pool cover with any electrical pool heating solution to maintain this temperature.
How long will a heat pump take to heat my pool?
Generally in the cooler months we would advise to run the heat pump for 48-72 hours before it is put on timers, this is to get it from low temperature to to the desired temperature. Then 8-10 hours a day will maintain the temperature. This does assume you are using a pool cover.
How long do I need to run my electric heat pump?
Heat pumps turn off automatically when you have reached your desired temperature, so in the warmer months they don’t run for as long. In the cooler months they will need to run on average 10 hours a day.
How hot can electric heat pump get my pool to?
Depending on the model you chose our heat pumps can heat up to 35 degree with the standard inverter, and 40 degrees with the full inverter. The standard temperature to set a pool to is between 26 and 28 degrees. It is important to advise us if you want your pool over 30 degrees as this is effect the size heat pump we suggest for your pool heating solution
What is normal pool temperature?
Resort pools are set at 26 degrees, family backyard pools generally around 28 degrees and for baby swimming or hydrotherapy between 30-32 degrees. A spa would normally be set to around 36 degrees.
Do I need pool heating provision for an electric heat pump?
If you don’t have pool heating provisions we would install the heat pump integrated to your filtration system. This means when your filtration turns on it goes through the filter, then the heat pump and finally the chlorinator and returns to the pool. Having this setup does mean that the heat pump can only run when your filtration system is running, unless you purchase a link. The link allows you to run the heat pump on its own timers outside of your chlorinator timers.
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