Frequently Asked Questions on Pool Heating
Bliss is when you’re able to spend afternoons just relaxing in the waters of your pool, reading a book, swimming laps, or simply contemplating your existence in the universe as you enjoy a good soak! Naturally, this isn’t exactly possible when winter starts making its appearance. Of course, in early winter, you might try to hold out in the pool by telling yourself it’s not that cold, but it definitely doesn’t make for the most comfortable swim especially as the minutes go by and the goose-bumps start to rise up on your skin!
So, you opt for the natural solution: you’re considering extending the swim season by investing in a pool heating system. You’ve heard a lot of good things, but also you’re slightly apprehensive because you still have a lot of questions that have been left unanswered. So, you brace yourself and crack your knuckles as you start typing in all the questions you have about pool heating systems on the Google search bar, one by one.
Well, we’re trying to make your task a little less tiresome by presenting this compilation of frequently asked questions on pool heating together with their answers, so you don’t have to spend too long wondering if a pool heating system is really worth investing in! (Spoiler alert: it is!)
Are Pool Heaters Expensive?
One of the first frequently asked questions on pool heating is if pool heaters are expensive.
This question calls for more than just a simple yes/no, so we’re going to delve into some of the details.
There are mainly three types of pool heating systems: gas pool heaters, electric pool heaters, and solar pool heaters.
They all work at different efficiencies, and they run on different operational mechanisms, which means we have to factor in not just upfront costs, but also operational costs.
Gas pool heaters come with the lowest upfront costs, but they will be expensive in terms of operational costs because they run on natural gas or propane—and bottled gas does not come cheap in Queensland. They do also have a shorter lifespan than electric pool heating systems, or solar pool heating systems, so you might want to consider if the lower upfront cost is worth every other expense.
Electric pool heaters do have a higher upfront cost than gas pool heaters, and you’re going to see an increase in your electricity bill as well because electric pool heating pumps run on electricity. But it is worth noting that electric pool heaters have a very long lifespan which makes up for the investment costs– like the Madimack Elite V3 Heat Pump, which comes with a ten-year compressor warranty!
Solar pool heating systems, meanwhile, have the highest upfront costs, but you get a return on this initial investment many times over because they have ZERO operational costs! This is because they run on solar energy, which doesn’t cost anything, and we can get plenty of it here in Queensland where it’s sunny year-round! Moreover, the initial investment is completely worth making, because solar pool heating systems have a very long lifespan. Nanotek Solar Pool Heating Collectors, as the most advanced solar strip collector in the world, has a lifespan of 15 years, while Rhino Solar Pool Heating Panels come with an unmatched 25-year warranty!
So, to answer the question: are pool heating systems expensive? Maybe… But are they worth it? Absolutely!
Do I need to get a Pool Cover?
Pool covers are a great way to efficiently prevent heat loss from the pool surface, and they work best in conjunction with a pool heating system. You also get to save on chemicals for your pool and running costs for your pool heater, by investing in a pool cover. Plus, if you aren’t much of a fan of the way pool covers look on the surface of your pool, you can also always invest in liquid pool covers!
Are Pool Heating Systems Eco-Friendly?
Again, this depends on what type of pool heating system you’re investing in.
Gas pool heating systems: ummmmm, not so much. They run on natural gas, which is a greenhouse gas and does significantly contribute to your carbon footprint, or propane, which isn’t a certified GHG but does still contribute to some level of emission.
Electric pool heating systems: they use an eco-friendly refrigerant called R410A refrigerant which is ozone-safe. This is the same refrigerant that is found in some of our electric heat pumps, including The Heat Seeker Nova which even comes with a 30 percent electricity consumption reduction! The Madimack Elite V3 Heat Pump, meanwhile, is even better equipped with an R32 refrigerant which is a superior refrigerant with an even lower global warming potential (GWP) than R410A!
Solar pool heating systems: you can’t get much more eco-friendly than the clean energy that is solar power! This is definitely the most eco-friendly option when it comes to pool heating systems.
How do Electric Heating Pumps work?
In simple terms, electric heating pumps suck in the heat from the ambient air using a liquid refrigerant in an evaporator coil. It then converts this heat to gas, passes it through a compressor, and then into a condenser, where it is able to transfer the heat into the water that’s running through the unit.
It is worth noting that electric heating pumps don’t generate heat by themselves, but rather suck in the heat from the ambient air, which means that their efficiency of heating depends largely on the ambient temperature.
How do I size my pool heating pump?
This is definitely one of the most important questions to consider when it comes to investing in a pool heating pump. There are two factors that you need to ensure when sizing your heat pump: your location, and the size of your pool.
Depending on where you live, a bigger or smaller pool heater may be necessary to maintain your desired temperature.
As to the size of your pool, the general rule of thumb is: the bigger your pool, the bigger your pool heater will have to be. Always make sure to never downsize when it comes to your pool heating pump because that’s going to result in very low-efficiency levels.
There’s a bit of math involved in figuring out how to size your pool heater, but if that’s not your thing, you can always get a trained pool professional to perform a sizing analysis for your pool!
Can my pool heating system be used for cooling as well?
Another of our frequently asked questions on pool heating is if pool heating systems can cool as well.
Not all pool heating systems have cooling capabilities, but heat pumps generally do!
This is done by essentially reversing the heating process. In the simplest terms, pool heating pumps can transfer the heat from your swimming pool water to the air outside, thus cooling it, and it can also act vice versa, which is the heating process!
Heatseeker Novas, for instance, have heating and cooling capabilities that make them ideal for pools that get too hot during the summer months.
Bonus Question: Whoshould be my go-to for pool heating in Queensland?
We’re glad you asked because you have to look no further than That Pool Heating Company! We are an Australian company, offering heat pumps and solar heating systems for your swimming pool. We offer a wide range of quality products and services, from installation, servicing, and maintenance of your swimming pool heating systems.
If you’ve got any further questions, feel free to get in touch with us, and we’d love to help you choose the pool heating system that’s just right for you!
