11 Tips to Efficiently Heat a Pool (With or Without a Heater)

As spring begins, the first warm ray of sunshine might have you itching to open up the pool. Luckily there are many options for how to heat a pool. Some are affordable short-term solutions, while others are more of a long-term investment. Here are 11 tips to help you take advantage of all your heating options, whether or not you have a pool heater.

1. Go Solar

How you heat a pool doesn’t have to be expensive if you allow the earth’s elements to assist you. Simply letting your sun soak up the rays raises the temperature by 0.7 degrees per hour of full sunlight, but there are plenty of solar pool covers that work harder and faster to heat up your at-home lagoon.

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Keep reading to find out about your options for heating your pool with sun-powered covers, from traditional blanket-style sheets to inventive solar rings and domes.

Solar Pool Covers

Solar covers—also called solar blankets—form a barrier between the water and the sun, allowing the pool to absorb and retain heat. (A pool can lose about 5 degrees per hour from evaporation.) Solar covers make the most of the sun’s rays, increasing the temperature by up to 15 degrees and preventing 95% of evaporation. However, solar pool covers don’t offer continuous heating while you’re swimming—it needs to cover your pool to heat the water.

Solar blankets cover the whole pool, but they must be sized and custom cut.

Liquid Solar Pool Covers

Feeling unconventional? Consider liquid solar covers. This is a fatty alcohol substance that forms a thin, invisible barrier on the top of the water surface to prevent evaporation. Biodegradable and non-toxic, you can pair it with the solar cover. It’s affordable, but it doesn’t fare well in windy climates or hold up against vigorous swimming that could break the seal.

Solar Dome

This dome-shaped pool cover consists of vinyl and aluminum closings that effectively turn your outdoor pool into an indoor one. In addition to protecting you from the elements (like wind and rain) while you swim, this cover’s clear material allows sunlight in while the aluminum closings prevent heat from escaping, warming up both the water in your pool and the air surrounding it.

Solar Rings

Though this wireless solar pool heating option may look like a pool toy, it’s anything but. Disc-shaped solar rings consisting of UV-resistant vinyl and two layers keep out coolness, draw in sunlight, and store heat. Though they’re only about 2 feet in diameter on average, you don’t need more than a few to feel the effects on your pool—no matter how big it is.

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2. Build an Enclosure

Another way to keep your pool comfortable without using a heater—or to use it less—is to build an enclosure. Because wind is one of the major factors in cooling your pool water, building a windproof enclosure will cut down on any energy costs associated with running a heater.

Your pool enclosure costs will depend on the type you choose and how elaborate your design is. Still, many deem this a worthwhile expense because you can use the pool at any time of year, regardless of weather or temperature. A more affordable method to combat the wind is to install a windscreen fence around the pool. This is among the best options if you’re trying to figure out how to heat an above ground pool.

3. Try the Black Hose Trick

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If you have a smaller pool, you don’t need to buy a fancy solar dome or install solar panels—the black hose trick can warm pool water at bargain basement costs. All you need is a thick black garden hose.

To create a DIY solar pool heater, connect the hose to your tap and leave it in a spot that receives abundant direct sunlight. Wrap the hose up like a coil in the middle of that bright patch, leaving enough slack for the spout to reach the pool. After the hose heats in the sun, it will run warm water into the pool.

4. Insulate, Insulate, Insulate

No tried and true method for how to heat a pool will work in a bowl that is not insulated. The ground surrounding your pool will always be cooler than the water temperature you want. To properly insulate an inground pool, do a one-time installation of rigid panel insulation around the pool base. This will allow less heat to escape and reduce your energy costs.

On the flip side, insulating an above ground pool will require a bit more work because you’ll need to redo it each time you go for a swim. Cover the water with a surface blanket that fits the dimensions of your pool, then tie ropes to the edges of the pool to secure it from windy and rainy conditions and ensure as little heat as possible escapes.

5. Account for the Time of Day

The sun’s intensity changes as the day progresses. The brighter the sun, the hotter the air. It will require the least amount of effort to heat your pool during midday hours when the sun is highest. If you can wait to take a dip, throw on the solar cover at this time when you can leverage those rays for maximum output.

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6. Pay Attention to Your Pool’s Location

If you’re in the early stages of planning your pool addition, think carefully about where you build. The location of your pool seriously affects the temperature of the water. If the pool is shaded or consistently exposed to high winds, the water will be colder, more expensive to heat, and less likely to retain heat.

7. Understand the Types of Pool Heaters

If you’ve exhausted all your options and are still finding your pool water a little too cold for comfort, you may need a more heavy-duty option, like a heat pump, gas or propane heater, or solar-powered heater. Keep reading to find out which options are most efficient and affordable.

Solar

When it comes to solar-powered pool heaters, you have several options. Along with all the rings, domes, and blankets mentioned above, a conventional, out-of-water solar heater is another great cost-effective option. This type of heater functions similarly to a gas or electric pool heater but uses solar panels to gather the necessary energy directly from the sun. Although it’s among the most expensive options—ranging from $3,000 to $4,000 for installation and materials—the energy savings can make it worth it.

Gas or Propane

Natural gas or propane heaters are the most common heating method for inground and above ground pools. Natural gas systems connect to your home’s main gas line, while propane heaters pull fuel from a tank. These systems are among the fastest ways to heat a pool, but they lack efficiency and cost a hefty penny compared to a heat pump or solar covers.

Gas or propane pool heaters cost between $1,500 and $6,000 for both the unit and installation, as well as an extra $200 to $850 per month of use on your energy bill. Choose a gas heater if you plan to heat your water sparingly—such as in September as a way to extend the season.

Heat Pump

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If you want an energy-efficient way to heat your pool, a heat pump works best in milder climates with temperatures of at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat pumps capture heat from the air and transfer it to your swimming water. The pump itself is more expensive than a gas or propane heater, but the annual operating costs are much lower thanks to its operating efficiencies. On average, a heat pump for a pool costs between $2,500 and $7,500 for materials and installation; it will also add about $120 to $200 to your energy bill every month on average, according to HomeAdvisor.

Using a heat pump, it will take 24 to 72 hours to heat a pool by 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Factors like BTU output and the size of your pool will play a role in determining exactly how long you’ll need to wait to make your first cannonball.

Electric Resistance

Perfect for smaller above ground pools, hot tubs, or indoor pools, electric resistance pool heaters use electric resistance coils to change your water temperature. If your electricity costs are low, these heaters can be affordable to purchase and operate sparingly. You’ll pay between $2,000 and $5,000 to install an electric resistance pool heater and $175 to $600 monthly on your energy bills.

Wood

A less conventional means of heating a home pool is the oldest: a wood fire. Install a backyard fire pit near the pool, run some copper pipe, and connect one end to a garden hose. Attach the hose to a pool pump or filter and drop the other end in the pool. Start your fire, turn on the pump, and feel the water warm up.

8. Set the Thermostat at a Modest Temperature

Everyone has a different ideal water temperature for a comfortable swim, but setting the thermostat too high can result in overwhelming expenses. It’s easy for a small hot tub to maintain temperatures above 80 degrees, but maintaining that level in an average-sized pool would cost a small fortune.

You’ll incur an extra 15% and 18% in operating costs for every degree bump you set. Only run your heater when you plan to use the pool to save costs or set it lower after you’re finished swimming.

9. Combine Methods for Quicker Results

No method of pool heating is perfect. Some provide continuous heat in any condition but entail high costs and energy usage; others are cost-efficient and eco-friendly but require warm air and sunlight to work. Try using a combination of methods for the best results.

For example, gas or propane heaters can provide the initial heat needed upon opening, and a dark solar cover can keep it that way all season, no matter the weather. Utilizing a heat pump, solar heater combo is super efficient. Compare your options and find the combination that’s right for your needs.

10. Service Your Gas or Propane Heater Annually

As with any other appliance that burns fuel, you should have your gas or propane pool heater serviced regularly by a local pool heater pro—once a year on average. Though you’ll pay for the maintenance, you’ll enjoy more long-term savings using a highly-efficient, longer-lasting system.

11. Maintain Your Pool’s Mechanical Systems

The better your pool pump and filtration systems work, the more efficient your heating efforts are. In the long run, paying to install the best mechanical systems and maintaining them will save you on heating costs.

C.E. Larusso contributed to this piece.

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Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor