A swimming pool should be something you can enjoy more than just a few months of the year. Yet for many homeowners, cooler temperatures quickly limit how often the pool gets used.
Pool heating offers a simple way to change that, transforming your pool from a seasonal feature into a space you can enjoy across more of the year. Whether you’re looking to extend your swimming season, improve comfort, or get greater value from your investment, the right heating system can make a noticeable difference.
In this guide, we’ll explore the key benefits of pool heating and break down the main options available, so you can decide what’s right for your home.
Key Takeaways
- Pool heating helps you use your pool for more months of the year (and even later into the evening), so you get more value from the pool you’ve invested in.
- Heated water is more comfortable for everyday swimming, and can be especially helpful for kids, older swimmers, and anyone who finds cold water unpleasant.
- The main pool heating types are solar, electric heat pumps, and gas—each has different upfront costs, running costs, and performance in different weather conditions.
- Heating systems are generally low-maintenance once installed, and smart controls can make running your heater more convenient (and potentially more efficient).
Types of Pool Heaters (Solar, Electric and Gas)
Solar Pool Heating
Solar heats the water using a natural source of energy: the sun. It is positioned on your roof, and water from your pool is pumped up and passed through a series of capillary tubes. The water is warmed and sent back to your swimming pool at an increased temperature. Solar can reduce heating costs significantly compared to systems that rely primarily on electricity or gas.
The downside is that it doesn’t work as well when there is little sun, so if you want to swim but the weather is poor, you may not reach the desired water temperature.
If a solar heating system is out of budget for now, you can also consider a solar pool cover as an entry-level alternative. A cover won’t heat the water like a heater, but it can help retain heat by reducing heat loss and evaporation. For best results, many pool owners use a heating system in conjunction with a pool cover.
Electric Heating (Heat Pumps)
Electric heating pumps (heat pumps) are popular because they’re widely available and easy to use. They work via a heat exchanger that extracts heat from the air to warm your pool water. Because they don’t rely on the sun in the same way solar systems do, you don’t have to worry as much about “no sun, no heat.”
Electric heating can be more expensive to run than solar, but it is often cheaper to install initially than some solar setups and can heat the pool consistently in areas with less sunlight.
Gas Heating
Gas heating is often considered the most powerful and fast-acting option. These heaters can warm pool water quickly and don’t rely on the sun or ambient air temperature to the same extent. This can be ideal for families who want fast heat-up times or who don’t swim frequently but want quick comfort when they do.
Gas can also be the most expensive option to run and is generally less environmentally friendly. Some owners choose solar as the primary heat source with gas as a back-up for cloudy periods. Gas heating commonly uses a combustion chamber with copper coils; cold pool water passes through the coils, is heated, and returns to the pool.
Read more in our complete guide to pool heaters here.
The Benefits of Pool Heating
Unlimited (or Year-Round) Pool Use
This is the main reason people install a heating system. Being able to swim when you want, rather than waiting for the weather to be warm enough, means you can get much more use out of your pool. Instead of letting your pool sit unused for months, heating helps extend your season and your swims into the evening as well.
Makes Swimming More Enjoyable
Swimming in cold water isn’t overly enjoyable unless you’re doing an intense workout, and even then, you may be inclined to jump out quickly to warm up. A heating system can increase the water temperature by up to around 10 degrees, which can make a noticeable difference in comfort.
Generally, infants and older swimmers may not tolerate cold water well, so heating can make the pool more enjoyable for everyone in the household.
Host Pool Parties More Confidently (and More Often)
Weather can be unpredictabl, even during warmer months. A pool heater helps keep water comfortable if temperatures drop, and it can make pool parties more accessible throughout the year. If you have a gas heater, you can heat the pool quickly; with solar, you can reduce the running cost impact when conditions are favourable.
Encourage Fitness & Exercise
Heating helps you keep fitness goals on track instead of letting them fall away when temperatures drop. Swimming in comfortable water can make it easier to stay consistent with low-impact exercise. Being submerged in tepid water can also feel relaxing and may help reduce stress and built-up tension.
Add Value to Your Home
Comfort features can add appeal to a property, and pool heating is no exception. Not all pools have heating installed, so it can be a differentiator if you ever decide to sell. Heating is also convenient because new owners don’t have to organise the installation themselves.
Cost-Effective Options Exist
Pool heating has come a long way, and there are options for more budget-conscious owners. Solar, electric, and gas all offer different trade-offs between upfront cost, running costs, convenience and performance, so the “best” option depends on how often you swim, your local climate, and how quickly you want the pool heated.
Smart Controls Give You More Control
If you want the ultimate in convenience, consider a heating system that is compatible with smart technology. Smart controls can let you manage heating from your phone or device, including turning it on before you get home (so the pool is ready to swim) and turning it off if you forgot.
Low Maintenance
Once installed, heating systems are generally durable and require very little maintenance beyond minimal checks and regular servicing. With a routine service schedule, a heating system can be a long-term upgrade you benefit from for years.
Need Help Choosing The Right Pool Heating Option?
If you’d like more information, get in touch and one of our friendly team members will happily assist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main types of pool heating systems?
The main types are solar pool heating, electric heat pumps, and gas heating systems. Each option has different upfront costs, running costs, and performance depending on weather and how quickly you want to heat the water.
Does pool heating really extend your swimming season?
Yes. Heating lets you use your pool more often across the year (and later into the evening), rather than only swimming when the weather is naturally warm enough.
How does solar pool heating work?
Solar heating uses the sun to warm pool water. Water is pumped through tubing (often on the roof), warmed, and returned to the pool at a higher temperature. Solar is cost-effective to run, but performance drops when there’s little sunlight.
Are electric heat pumps good if my area doesn’t get much sun?
They can be. Electric heat pumps don’t rely on the sun the same way solar systems do and can heat more consistently in areas with less sunlight, although running costs may be higher than solar.
Why do people choose gas pool heating?
Gas heating is fast and powerful. It can heat pool water quickly and doesn’t rely on the sun or ambient air temperature in the same way, but it can be more expensive to run and less environmentally friendly.
Is pool heating high-maintenance?
Not usually. The page notes heating systems are generally durable and require little maintenance beyond minimal checks and regular servicing.