Your swimming pool heater is one of the most important components of your pool. It keeps the water at a comfortable temperature for swimming or having fun in.

Gas, Oil, Electric Or Air Source Heat Pump?

The term ‘pool heater’ is a very generic term for the equipment used to heat the pool as there are many type of ‘pool heaters’. When looking for a new pool heater we would always recommend an air source heat pump to heat the pool water where possible.

Pools use an electrically powered pump to circulate pool water through the pool filter and then around the evaporator coil within the heat pump. This is filled with a refrigerant, which extracts heat from the outside air. As the refrigerant is heated it is pumped through a pipe network into a heat exchanger/condenser, where the heat gained from the outside air is transferred to the water coming in from the pool.

The water is warmed normally by 3 to 11°C as it passes through the swimming pool heater before exiting back into the pool. The ambient air – now stripped of its heat – is expelled from the unit through a fan.

The Goldilocks Zone

Pool water may need several passes to reach the required temperature. The sweet spot to aim for is between 25°C and 28°C, although some people prefer a warmer pool of 29°C to 30°C and others aim for 23°C. Water below 21°C can feel too cold to swim in.

Using a swimming pool air source heat pump reduces the amount of energy required to heat the swimming pool, which could otherwise be very expensive. A heat retention pool cover will help conserve heat and reduce your heating bill even further.

What Size Pool Heater To Choose

The size of the pool heater (in terms of power output) you need depends on a number of factors: the size of your pool, the target temperature, if a pool cover is used and if the pool will only be used in the summer or if it will be used all year round. Your pool contractor should be able to recommend the most suitable heat pump for your needs.

How Long Does It Take To Heat A Swimming Pool?

This golden question depends on the water volume, the starting temperature, target temperature and kW out put of the heat pump. As a rule we always recommend allowing a week to make sure the pool is up to temp if heating the pool at the start of the swimming season.

How Much Do Pool Heaters Cost To Buy?

No swimming pool heater is cheap, but it is worth investing some time and money because it does such an important job! If it breaks down your pool may be unusable for weeks.

There is a wide price bracket for heat pump swimming pool heaters, ranging from £700 to over £7000. Do your research and pay close attention to the warranty and availability of spare parts should they ever be needed years down the line. Some of the leading brands offer parts warranty of up to 5 years and on site labour of up to 3 years.

Which Are The Best Brands?

Some brands of pool heater are more efficient and reliable than others. Purchasing a quality pool heater should give you years of service without hiccups. Be careful of the cheapest models, as these may not be as reliable or as energy efficient. However much you spend, the most important factor is getting the right size heater for your pool. Failing to do this forces the pump to work too hard, which leads to a cold pool, cuts the life of your heat pump and increased energy usage.

We are independent and do not have tied into a particular manufacturer, so will always give impartial advice for your budget and pool type. Seek out a pool heat pump that uses a titanium heat exchanger. Manufacturers include Calorex, Dura and Pentair.

What Are The Operational Costs?

Again, this is a question of water volume and target temperature, plus the size of your swimming pool heater and how well-maintained it is. 

Sustaining a 15 m² in-ground garden swimming pool for 22 weeks between May and September at 27°C can cost £200 or so in electricity.

This is when you use a heat pump style swimming pool heater. Old-fashioned oil, gas or butane direct heaters may cost far more.

Add servicing and maintenance costs to this figure. Plenty of components are involved in the pool heater, the failure of any one of which can lead to the unit shutting down. If this happens and a critical component need replacing, such as the compressor, this can set you back £400-£900. A pool maintenance contract that includes servicing your pool heater will keep your unit ticking over nicely and minimise the risk of an unexpected repair bill.

Pool Services From JB Elite

At JB Elite we offer a full range of services for commercial and domestic swimming pools. This includes regular servicing, repairs, refurbishments, consumables and components. For more information please call 01536 646007 or email info@jbeliteservices.co.uk