So, you’ve decided you want to enjoy your pool all year round and want to install a pool heater. Chances are, you’re shopping around. You’re likely tossing up between a pool heat pump or a solar heating system. It can be a tricky decision! Plus, it’s a choice that will likely involve a long-term commitment. If you’re struggling to decide whether a heat pump or solar heating is right for you, read on.
How Do These Pool Heating Options Work?
Pool Heat Pumps
Pool heat pumps work by using electricity to transfer heat from the environment to your pool. Air source heat pumps are the most common types of heat pumps on the market. They extract heat from the air, like an air conditioner would. These types of pool heating systems can heat pools with less energy than gas or resistive heaters when the air is warm or cool. However, when the air temperature is below 0 degrees, pool heat pumps won’t work as efficiently. Fortunately, temperatures this low are not a major concern across Queensland’s metro areas.
Solar Pool Heating
In contrast to heat pumps, solar powered pool heaters do not require a fan and a compressor to heat up your pool’s water. Instead, they use free energy from the sun and the pre-existing pool pump. The pump will push water through the filter, blocking debris from going through the pipes. Then, water flows through the pipes and travels to the solar panels. The water is then warmed as the sun has already heated the lining. The now warmed water flows back down the lines and re-enters the pool. This process does not endlessly repeat, either. When it’s raining, or the desired temperature has been met, the water stops flowing through the solar panels and will flow back into the pool.
You Can Save Money With A Pool Heat Pump
It’s no secret that solar heat pumps tend to be pricier to install, however they are known for their tendency to reduce the future ongoing costs of running your pool’s heating. That said, a heat pump system will generally cost between $150 – $650 per year to run. It’s a highly economical option for any pool owner looking to extend their pool season.
Pool heat pumps can also be used in tandem with solar panels. You can choose to connect a heat pump to a solar electricity installation on your roof. By implementing this pool heating hack, you can run your pool heating at virtually $0. Plus, it’s a terrific option for eco-conscious pool owners.
Energy Saving Pool Heat Pumps Are Available
Again, for eco-conscious (and wallet conscious) consumers, there are pool heat pumps on the market that have been engineered to chew up less energy. A prime example that Pool Builders Pool Shop stocks is the IHP90 Astral Heater. This heater uses inverter technology, which is often considered superior to other pool heat pumps as it is highly energy efficient.
Specifically, this technology allows the pool heat pump to reach an extremely high coefficient of performance (COP) compared to other heat pumps on the market. This technology therefore reduces the speed of the unit as it reaches the desired temperature. Energy consumption is dramatically reduced, while facilitating faster heat times and a constant pool temperature.
Solar Heating Can Be Unreliable
There are a few reasons solar heating can be unreliable. Firstly, the effectiveness of your pool heating when using solar is determined by how strong the sun is. On cloudy days, your pool may still heat, however the pool may not reach your desired swimming temperature. Unfortunately, on consecutive cloudy days, your pool temperature will plummet with solar heating.
Solar pool heating can be an unreliable pool heating option for another reason. Interestingly, they have been prone to damage in the past, due to cockatoos’ habit of attacking and damaging the solar pool heater tubing. Although, recent solar heat systems have improved upon this issue by using different tubing materials.
In contrast, heat pumps are highly durable. In fact, with proper maintenance, they can last twice as long as other pool heater types.
You Can Use A Heat Pump Year Round
Solar pool heaters also tend to be unreliable during winter… the time when we need to heat our pools the most! While solar can take the chill off your pool in summer, the limited sun exposure in winter may lead to an insignificant difference in pool temperature during the colder months. Pool heat pumps on the other hand, will work effectively at any time of the year – whether it’s sunny or cloudy. You just simply set your prefered temperature and enjoy your perfect temperature pool.
Even better, pool heat pumps can also be used in summer. If your pool is a tad too hot for a cool off, simply set the temperature lower.
Pool Builders Pool Shop Has Your Pool Heating Needs Covered
In our experience, using a pool heat pump to heat your pool tends to be the most effective option. It’s reliable, cost effective and can be used all year round. At Pool Builders Pool Shop, we stock a range of high quality pool heating systems. If you want to make the most of your pool year-round, chat to our friendly team about our pool heating options.