You want to swim all year round, of that you’re sure. All you need now is to work out the best way to heat the water. Whether a gas heater or heat pump is right for you will depend on your lifestyle, and how much you want to spend on installation and running costs.
Without doubt, gas heaters are the fastest way to bring your pool up to a comfortable swimming temperature. A 200MJ unit will raise the temperature of an average-sized pool by 12oC in slightly over 20 hours. Double the size of the unit, and you’ll halve the time needed to reach that temperature. Bear in mind that in most parts of Australia, an uncovered, unheated pool will usually be around 18-20oC, so depending on your preferred temperature, you might not need to run the gas heater for so long.
One thing you do need to bear in mind is that running a gas heater for prolonged periods can be expensive—we estimate the cost at around $5 per hour, at today’s prices. Consider that in terms of regular pool usage throughout the winter, and the cost can mount up.
A heat pump will get your pool to the same temperature, but over a longer period—in the above scenario, you’d probably need to switch it on a day earlier. However, a heat pump is significantly more efficient. It uses the warmth in the surrounding air to heat the water, and works in a similar way to a reverse cycle air-conditioning unit. As long as the outside temperature doesn’t drop too low in your area during winter, a heat pump would be a great solution for keeping the pool warm all year round.
As a general rule, if you are going to heat your pool all year round at a consistent temperature then an inverter heat pump is a far more efficient and sustainable way to heat your pool. Gas heating is ideal for on-demand heating such as in cases of using the pool for a party or general spa heating.
At Supreme Heating, we offer a range of gas heaters and heat pumps and are happy to answer any questions you may have. Whichever solution you opt for, we will always recommend that you keep your pool covered, because much of a pool’s heat is lost through evaporation. Keep the heat in, and it’ll cost you less to bring it to your desired temperature.
If you’d like to know more, call Supreme Heating on 1300 787 978.
