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What is the Cheapest Way to Heat a Swimming Pool?
Sadly the UK climate is just not warm enough for us to experience naturally balmy pool water, meaning you’ll require some form of heater or swimming pool heat pump for an enjoyable swimming experience throughout the year.
The right pool heater and heat retention system can extend the swimming season and help you get the most out of your pool. But with a new kit, there always comes the question of cost, and with everything getting more expensive, it’s no surprise we’re all looking for the cheapest ways to keep water warm and our pools in good condition.
There are several factors that may influence what the ‘best’ way to heat your pool is. Before settling on the best and cheapest heating method, you should take the following into consideration:
Once these factors are weighed up, a common conclusion is that an air source heat pump will be the cheapest and best pool heating option.
Other methods like gas, oil, or electric may be a cheaper option during winter months but in the long run will have higher running costs than an air source heat pump.
Heat pumps harness heat from the air, which is then transferred to your pool’s water. They are one of the cheapest and most environmentally friendly ways to heat your pool as they don’t require the use of fossil fuels, only requiring a small amount of electricity to power a fan.
Swimming pool heat pumps are incredibly cost-efficient, giving you five times as much energy as you put in. For example, for every £1 you spend running your heat pump, you will get £5 worth of heat out.
The precise level of efficiency will depend on the make and model of your heat pump. Inverter heat pumps specifically can offer even lower running costs as they are designed to reduce energy consumption and provide heat with enhanced cost and energy efficiency.
In terms of running cost, around 50p an hour is a reasonable estimate for a high-performance heat pump.
You can find out more about running these great pieces of kit in our swimming pool heat pump cost and options guide.
This is a reasonable question considering heat pumps work by drawing on the surrounding air. All these cost benefits wouldn’t really mean much if you could only heat the water when the weather was good and not when you need it most!
Luckily, heat pumps will still be able to warm up your pool water even when the air is cold. While these pumps are most efficient when the air and weather are warmer, they can still work at lower temperatures. Most swimming pool heat pumps work best when the ambient air temperature is at least 15°C.
For those looking to use their pool well into the end of the traditional swimming season when it starts getting really cold, it may be worth using a heat pump within a hybrid system, using it alongside an electric or gas heater.
Aside from the nice and cheap running costs, the other cost you’ll have to consider is the initial upfront cost for the pump itself. Again, this will depend on the type of heat pump you go for. Prices can range from around £500 to over £7,000. The more expensive options tend to be quieter units and have a higher coefficient of performance.
While electric heaters tend to be cheaper to buy than most heat pumps, they have a much higher running cost. This means you’ll make more savings in the long run when you invest in a swimming pool heat pump – plus, they’re better for the environment.
If you’re after a pool heating method that is both cost-efficient and easy on the environment, a swimming pool heat pump is certainly worth considering.
As with anything, there are some cons that may impact your decision:
With this being said, many pool owners find that the benefits of heat pumps outweigh the disadvantages, making them well worth investing in. If you’re still not sure, take a look at our breakdown of the cost of heat pumps versus other swimming pool heaters.
There are several other things you can do if you’re looking to reduce your pool heating costs.
Removing all other factors, the true cheapest way to heat your pool would be with a solar pool heater. As they use energy from the sun, there are no running costs.
However, solar heaters can be very slow at heating your water up and might not provide enough energy to get temperatures up to your desired level. They also cannot work at night for obvious reasons.
To find out more about the pros and cons and to decide which is right for your pool, head over to our guide on solar heaters versus heat pumps.
Retaining the heat you generate for your pool is an important element of the heating process – it takes far more energy to increase the temperature than to maintain it. Most of your pool’s heat will be lost through evaporation, so a pool cover is invaluable.
Solar pool covers are wonderful investments for the swimming season as they not only prevent evaporation and trap in heat but they can also harness the sun to increase the temperature of the water. Bear in mind covers won’t be enough to keep your pool sufficiently warm alone but will significantly affect how much energy you’ll need to heat it back up to a comfortable temperature.
Like pool covers, enclosures cover your pool, protecting it from the elements, reducing evaporation and keeping heat inside.
There are several enclosure heights to choose from depending on whether you want it to act as a simple cover or want an experience more akin to indoor swimming. Whichever option you choose, you will end up saving in maintenance, heating and general running costs in the long run.
Like heat pumps, enclosures can have high initial costs but can save you money over time, and they come with a whole host of other benefits aside from the reduction in heating costs.
Ultimately, investing in the right kit will help reduce running costs in the long run and ensure you can keep enjoying your pool without creating as big a dent in your wallet! Check out our range of swimming pool heat pumps here at 1st Direct Pools to find a cheaper way to heat your pool.
