Swimming pool owners often ask, should I fit some form of heating to my pool, and if I did, what type is best? An important part of that question is, how much more use would we get and is that increase economically justifiable.
Another question is, if the water temperature is below a certain level of comfort, you have an unusable pool, is that acceptable? We know in any suburb of Melbourne or anywhere in the Mornington Peninsula area we can't use the pool year round, but what is a realistic investment for that extra use of the pool.
There are many variables regarding the choices. A good starting point is to consider whether your house may favor one system over another. For example, if you have a large expanse of a north facing roof area without significant shading, that may be ideal for the roof collector used to harvest free sunshine
A solar system is unquestionably the cheapest to run. The only mechanical moving part is the water pump that circulates pool water up to the roof collector on the roof and back to the pool. This fractional horsepower pump costs a dollar a day to run, and sunshine is free. These systems are fitted with temperature sensors and a controller which turns the system on only when the water in the roof collector is hotter than the pool water.
Gas is by far the fastest form of pool heating, regardless of weather. Obviously, you need to have natural gas connected so it may not be an option for some. The downside is the running cost, particularly if used in the colder months. It is worth considering this option to extend your swimming pool season and it is the only option that will allow you to have a one-off swimming pool event in the off season. Gas is exactly what a spa needs because it is a very small body of water that the bathers want hot quickly.
Heat pumps up to a certain size can be connected to power by a standard three pin plug. Above 16 kw they require a 3-phase power supply which may require a cable replacement from the street supply and a switchboard upgrade, obviously by a qualified electrician. Like solar, heat pumps work best in warmer temperatures but must work a lot harder and is less effective when the temperature drops. Another consideration is location, as some of these units can be more than whisper quiet.
Each form of pool heating has features and benefits that work for some and not for others. Comparing running costs alone, solar is unbeatable. For instant heat, any time at the flick of a switch, gas wins hands down.
For running costs under the cost of a gas pool heater it must be a heat pump. Many pool owners choose a solar system first, and if it does not quite deliver the level of performance required, they will add gas or a heat pump sometime later.
A solar system ideally requires, a north facing roof of sufficient size to fit enough collector to cover at least 100% of the swimming pool surface area. The technician will install the system complete with a circulation pump and system controller, all same day.
The swimming pool gas heater connection must be by a qualified plumber/gas-fitter. The gas heater itself needs to be located beside the swimming pool equipment in a sufficiently vented area. The existing gas meter and piping may need to be upgraded if they are too small, but often the gas company will do this at no charge. In most cases it is same day installation provided the gas supply pipes are already in place and connected.
A heat pump is usually a straightforward installation provided there is a flat area to mount the unit and it has adequate airflow. This should be a same day installation unless there is a need to change the single-phase power supply to three phase.
Comparative costs - All three systems are supplied and installed by professionals in their field with the installation cost built into the system purchase price.
A solar system would be the lowest priced supply and installation package, as well as the lowest running costs, but it will not produce hot water when the sun is not shining.
Gas is in the middle with system purchase pricing but the most expensive to run. However, it is the only option that gives you hot water at the flick of a switch.
Heat pumps are the most expensive systems to buy but cheaper to run than gas. They will still produce some heat when the sun is not shining but not so efficiently when atmospheric temperatures plummet.
Before deciding which swimming system suits you best, another particularly important consideration right now in Victoria is the escalating cost of electricity and gas.
Discuss with Leisure Time Pool Maintenance, the system that best suits your requirements. We have been servicing both residential and commercial clients in the Mornington Peninsula area for many years and can provide you with a free no obligation quotation We offer a range of the best possible heating solutions for your pool from high-quality Australian manufacturers, call us for a quote.
We also offer a wide range of mobile swimming pool services and comprehensive pool and spa care maintenance programs. Whether you need your spa or pool scheduled for regular cleaning or you need an equipment repair job we offer competitive pricing.
