Looking for advice on swimming pool heaters? You’ve come to the right place.
If you’re planning to build or install a new pool, the small details make all the difference. For example, you need to carefully consider the type of swimming pool heater you select, as this will allow you to get the most use out of your new pool. It can get cold in Canberra during the winter months, and pool heating will chase the chills away.
Since there are so many pool heating options available, it’s critical that you take the time to consider factors like the climate, pool size, how often you use pool, and the type of pool you have before you start shopping. We want you to make an informed choice when the time comes, so this short guide will outline everything you need to know about pool heating, to help you figure out the best choice for your situation.
Four Factors to Consider When You Look at Swimming Pool Heaters in ACT
The average temperatures and your local climate will play a huge role in the pool heating option you choose. How often you use your pool, who uses it and the size and type of pool you have are very important as well. The goal is to look at each factor individually before you combine them to help you sort out pool heating in Canberra to keep you swimming as long as possible.
1. Average Temperatures and the Local Climate
No matter if you’re in NSW or ACT, you’ll want pool heating options. For starters, pool water is cooler than you think, because the temperature can drop rapidly overnight and take hours to heat up again in the morning. In Canberra and the surrounding areas, this is especially problematic in winter.
The location will also impact your pool water’s temperature. For example, your water could get up to 27°C on a very sunny and hot day in Canberra, but on the same day in Melbourne, it may only get as high as 20°C. This is why you have to take your region into consideration when you start looking at pool heating options.
Although these temperatures may sound very comfortable for the season, the actual temperature of the pool water will fluctuate. The temperature on the surface of the water will be around three degrees higher than down at the bottom of the pool. The sun’s rays hit the surface of the water for hours a day, but they’re not strong enough to penetrate all of the way through. This can create a permanently uneven temperature unless you have a pool heater to correct it.
2. Pool Size, Style and Type
Do you have a larger or a smaller pool? Bigger pools hold more water, and this means that any swimming pool heater you pick out will have to have enough power to heat the pool to a comfortable and consistent temperature.
Your pool’s material will also play a role. Concrete pools give you greater flexibility when it comes to creating a tailored design, but they need a more effective heating system to combat concrete’s naturally colder temperatures. Concrete also doesn’t retain heat well. Fibreglass retains heat much more efficiently, while also being a generally warmer material, so you won’t need a huge pool heating system.
Finally, what style of pool do you have? Did you pick an above-ground or in-ground option? As a general rule, above-ground pools are slightly smaller and hold less water. This makes them easier to heat, but they lose heat more quickly since they sit above the ground without any added insulation. It also loses heat through the water’s surface, and your pool will cool much quicker.
You can choose to insulate your above-ground pool to help it retain heat for as long as possible. Using a solar cover when you’re not using the pool will also help it retain heat. With an above-ground pool in ACT, you’ll need an above-ground heater that is compatible with the pool you have in your yard.
3. The Time and How Often You Use Your Pool
At night and during the cooler winter months in NSW, your pool water could be as much as 10 degrees colder than it is during hot and sunny weather. A pool is a big investment that can easily cost thousands of dollars, and so you want to get as much usage out of it as possible.
Many people choose to use their new pools in the evening hours for as long as they can during the year. A quality swimming pool heater will ensure you get an excellent return for your investment because it’ll keep the water at a temperature you can stay comfortable in during the cooler months and evening hours.
Another bonus of installing a pool heating system is that it will add even more value to your home if you decide to sell. A potential buyer will look at your pool and consider how often they can use it. This makes having a pool heater in place is an excellent asset at your property.
4. Who Will Use Your Pool and How They’ll Use It
If you’re swimming laps, rapidly cooling pool water can quickly get uncomfortable. As soon as you stop moving in the water, you’ll start to feel colder quickly because you’re not using any energy. If you want to use your pool as a place to kick back and relax as well as a place to swim laps or to exercise in, the water will have to be warm enough to keep you comfortable. This requires a pool heater.
Many people like to use their pools for hydrotherapy to help recover from muscular injuries or relieve aches and pains. To do this, you need a pool that has a comfortable water temperature any time, day or night. Public spas stay at a warm 36°C as a standard rule to help keep patrons comfortable.
If you have kids or older people living with you who are going to use the pool a lot, they’ll need slightly warmer temperatures. The reason being they don’t use nearly as much energy while they’re in the water so they feel the cold much quicker.
The Three Different Types of Pool Heating Options
Swimming pool heaters come in three broad categories, and you can find every type installed in pools in Canberra and the surrounds. Since the type you choose will come down to personal preferences and needs, it’s good to know what your options are, and you can find them below.
- Electric – One efficient but cost-effective pool heating option is an electric heater. These units use a heat exchanger to pull heat from the air and transfer it to your swimming pool’s water. It can pull heat without any sunlight present, giving you more usage out of your pool even when there is no direct sunlight. However, they use a large amount of electricity and they can fail to achieve the higher water temperatures you need for relaxing.
- Solar – In ACT and NSW, solar heating is the most popular swimming pool heater available. It’s environmentally-friendly and cost-effective because it pulls heat from the sun. This system runs on a solar pump that pulls 0.7kW every hour, and it pushes the water through a system of tubes to heat it. Solar works best in sunny and warm climates, but it can bring the water temperature up by as much as 2°C on a hot day.
- Gas – The final option is gas, and this is the most expensive pool heating option you have available, but it’s very effective. Swimming pool heaters using gas are fast and efficient – gas doesn’t rely on the climate or weather conditions to produce heat or maintain the water temperature. It also heats much quicker using a burner tray and transferring the heat into the water through a heat exchanger. You can use this as the main or backup system if you don’t get a lot of sunlight or heat.
Contact Capital Country Pools for Expert Advice!
No matter if you’re in ACT or NSW, Capital Country Pools is ready to help you design, pick out and build the pool of your dreams. Our dedicated and professional staff can guide you through the design and build process, and we can advise you on what the best swimming pool heater is for your unique situation. Contact us today for your free quote!
