how do you heat a pool in the winter

Best Ways to heat your pool this winter

• Gas Heater. Gas heaters heat your swimming pool by burning either propane or natural gas. ...
• Air-Source Heat Pump. Air-source heat pumps are rapidly growing in popularity because they offer very energy-efficient and cost-effective heating.
• Water-Source Heat Pump. ...

Full Answer

What is the best way to heat a pool?

Solar heaters. Solar heating harnesses the sun to get a pool as warm as 80 degrees, but not much higher.

How much does it cost to heat a swimming pool in winter?

If you are undecided on what sort of heating system to use for your pool in the winter, here is a comparison of your options. Solar heating harnesses the sun to get a pool as warm as 80 degrees, but not much higher. Solar kit: $1,000 – $4,800. Installation: $500 – $2,500. Annual costs: $30 – $75.

What type of pool heating should I use in the winter?

If you are undecided on what sort of heating system to use for your pool in the winter, here is a comparison of your options. Solar heating harnesses the sun to get a pool as warm as 80 degrees, but not much higher. Heat pumps maintain constant pool temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees.

Can you own a pool without a heater in winter?

However, owning a pool in winter can be a hassle without a heater. If you are undecided on what sort of heating system to use for your pool in the winter, here is a comparison of your options. Solar heating harnesses the sun to get a pool as warm as 80 degrees, but not much higher.

How do you heat an unheated pool?

Here are the seven cheapest ways to heat your pool this off-season.Use a Solar Cover. ... Invest in Solar Sun Rings. ... Try Out a Liquid Solar Pool Cover. ... Build a Windproof Pool Enclosure. ... Use the Black Hose Trick. ... Snag a Pool Heat Pump. ... Combine a Solar Cover and Pool Heat Pump.

Are pool heaters expensive to run?

On average, natural gas burns about 1 therm per 100,000 BTUs per hour (British Thermal Units). Meaning, an average pool heater between 300,000 and 400,000 BTUs will cost anywhere from $3.30 to $4.40 per hour to heat your pool.

What is the fastest way to heat up a pool?

The fastest way to heat your pool is to use a gas pool heater and a solar cover. It's like heating up your coffee in the microwave and putting a lid on it. No matter how you plan to heat your pool, you should at least have a solar cover (or liquid solar cover) to help you retain the heat.

Should I turn on pool heater in the winter?

Because the cold weather risks pipes freezing, you must leave the heater on at all times or else the pipes feeding the pool could freeze and cause expensive damage.

Can you leave a pool heater on all night?

No, you shouldn't leave your pool heater running all the time. Not only will it increase your electricity bill, but it will put unnecessary stress on your pool heater. Instead, you should run your pool heater to cycle when necessary during the day. That way, your pool will be warm throughout the day and night.

Is it better to heat a pool with gas or electric?

If you want a steady temperature all year long, electric may be the best option for you. If you have two to three months throughout the season where you don't need to heat the pool, or if a solar blanket provides enough heat, then a gas heater may be best.

Does putting black garbage bags heat pool?

One way of putting this concept into practice is to float large black trash bags (yes, trash bags) in your pool. The bags will absorb heat and transfer it to the pool water, warming it up, while also serving as a barrier that prevents warm water at the surface of the pool from evaporating.

What is the black hose trick to heat a pool?

I saw some videos of people using like a 100 foot black hose laid out in the sun and using a submersive pump to circulate the pool water from the pool, around the hose and back into the pool for say 5 mins at a time. Then letting it heat up and do the same thing a few times a day.

How do you make a homemade pool heater?

0:243:36Make a Pool Heater - $25 Solar Pool Heater - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUpon if you've got to buy a pump or not you may be able to run this off the pump you have and we allMoreUpon if you've got to buy a pump or not you may be able to run this off the pump you have and we all know black heats up in the Sun.

How cold is too cold for pool heater?

DO NOT use heater during extreme cold unless it has been constantly running prior to the drop in temperature. Manufacturers state heaters should not be run at temperatures 68 and below. Adjust pool and spa jets upwards to reduce surface freezing.

Will my pool heat pump work in winter?

A question that homeowners tend to ask when they hear this is: how can a heat pump possibly draw energy from the air during the cold days in winter? Does that mean I can't use my heat pump during winter? Rest assure that you can always use your pool heat pump anytime in the year.

Do electric pool heaters work in the winter?

But when speed and reliability are at the forefront, gas and electric pool heaters take the crown. Unlike pool heat pumps, both heaters can provide heat throughout the freezing cold. And they do it pretty fast, even in the winter.

Which is cheaper to run gas or electric pool heater?

PoolResearch.com estimates that harnessing the energy of the sun to heat your pool only costs $10 a month or $120 annually if you warm the pool year-round. Compare that to $120-$200 a month for electric heat pump heaters and $200-$400 a month for natural gas and the upfront cost of a solar water heater isn't so bad.

How much gas does a 400k BTU pool heater use?

4 gallons an hourPropane Pool Heaters Propane heaters burn about 1 gallon per hour per 100,000 BTU's. For a typical size 400,000 BTU heater, that equals 4 gallons an hour.

How much energy does it take to heat a pool?

kW power heat pump The heat pump should be able to heat the water by approx. 0.20 - 0.25 degrees per hour. It takes 1.16 Wh to heat one litre of water one degree, which means 11.6 kWh for a 10m³ pool. In other words, one kilowatt hour heats 862 litre of water by one degree Celsius.

How much does it cost to make your pool heated?

Between setup and operating costs, a pool heater costs between $300 and $5,000, with the average cost around $2,000.

Why use a solar blanket in a pool?

75% of your swimming pool’s heat loss is due to evaporation. A solar blanket reduces heat loss from evaporation by acting as a barrier between your swimming pool and the air. A solar blanket is most effective at night and during cloudy days, when the potential for evaporation is greatest.

How efficient are heat pumps?

Air-source heat pumps are rapidly growing in popularity because they offer very energy-efficient and cost-effective heating. Air-source heat transfer heat from the air to your swimming pool. They have a COP measuring between 5 and 6, which means they produce five to six units of energy for every unit they consume. This high energy efficiency directly translates to low operating costs and low environmental impact. Most heat pumps shut down when the outside temperatures go down below 55° degrees, some can continue to operate down to the mid to low 40’s, and some can operate in temperatures of mid to low 20’s. These types of heat pumps have different names and are made by various manufacturers they can be referred to as reversible heat pumps, heat/cool heat pumps or icebreakers. On colder temperature days, a heat pump will begin to “freeze” the condensate that forms normally on the evaporator coil. Standard heat pumps simply turn off at this point to avoid mechanical damage to the heat pump system due to this icing condition. A Hot Gas Defrost unit, like AquaCal’s IceBreaker model, will utilize a reverse cycle process which reverses the flow of refrigerant gas through the unit, quickly “defrosting” the evaporator coil- which allows the heat pump to continue to heat.

Why are heat pumps not well known?

Water-source heat pumps are not as well-known as other heating systems because they utilize newer technology. They transfer heat from water sources, such as a lakes, ponds, or wells. Water-source heat pumps greatly benefit swimming pool owners who live in climates where air temperatures fall below 50°F (10°C).

Why do pool heaters heat pools?

They can heat your swimming pool regardless of the air temperature because they get their heat from gas, rather than from the air or sun. This is why they are widely used in colder climates. They can heat your swimming pool more easily in lower temperatures than a heat pump, which operates less efficiently in lower temperatures.

What is an air source heat pump?

Air-Source Heat Pump. Air-source heat pumps are rapidly growing in popularity because they offer very energy-efficient and cost-effective heating. Air-source heat transfer heat from the air to your swimming pool.

What is a heat pump called?

These types of heat pumps have different names and are made by various manufacturers they can be referred to as reversible heat pumps, heat/cool heat pumps or icebreakers. On colder temperature days, a heat pump will begin to “freeze” the condensate that forms normally on the evaporator coil.

How does a solar blanket work?

A solar blanket reduces heat loss from evaporation by acting as a barrier between your swimming pool and the air. A solar blanket is most effective at night and during cloudy days, when the potential for evaporation is greatest. So now you know a few ways in which you can extend your swimming pool season. To learn more about different heating ...

Why are heat pumps not well known?

Water-source heat pumps are not as well-known as other heating systems because they utilize newer technology. They transfer heat from water sources, such as a lakes, ponds, or wells. Water-source heat pumps greatly benefit swimming pool owners who live in climates where air temperatures fall below 50°F (10°C).

Can you heat a pool in the winter?

The Best Ways to Heat a Swimming Pool In The Winter Months. Owning a swimming pool in an area of the country or the world that has a winter season, you may think your swimming season is limited. However, there are options available that will help you heat your pool in the winter months or extend your season, even during those cold winter months!

How does a pool heat?

It heats the water by capturing heat from the sun, directly transferring it to your pool. The impact this has on your water largely depends on the size of the cover (and pool) and the amount of direct sunlight it’s exposed to.

Which heats up the pool the fastest?

The king of pool heating, the gas heater is the method that will heat up your pool the fastest, and can also heat it to higher temperatures than any other method.

How to pump out pool water?

Using a submersible pump placed in the shallow end, attach one end of the tubing to it. This will allow it to pump out the pool water, injecting it into the coil . As it flows through the heated tubing, the water warms up. Place the other end of the coil in the pool so the warm water is emptied into it.

How does climate affect pool water?

The climate where you live can also affect the pool water’s temperature. Warmer climates require less heating than places where the weather is cold and windy.

What happens when a pool is in use?

When the pool is in use, the cover is dispersed in the water. Once the water becomes still the solar cover molecules reassemble like the T-1000, protecting the surface of your pool from heat loss and evaporation.

What is the best way to cover a pool?

1. Liquid Solar Covers/Blankets. Liquid solar covers provide similar benefits as a traditional pool cover, and all you have to do is pour it into your pool. However, they don’t necessarily heat the water, but rather keep heat from escaping. Liquid solar covers are invisible and save you time and space when compared to the demands ...

Do solar covers help with pool heat loss?

This alone might not be enough to make a meaningful difference in your water temperature, but solar covers also prevent heat loss through evaporation which happens to be the biggest cause of heat loss from a pool, especially at night.

How much heat does an electric pool heater lose?

However, once the pool reaches the desired temperature, an electric heat pump doesn’t need to work as hard as a gas pool heater to maintain that desired temperature. With a gas heater, you can lose about 1° per hour. With an electric heater, you lose about 1° for every three hours making this option more energy and cost-efficient on a monthly basis.

Why use solar blankets in pool?

Solar Blankets. Whatever option you choose, you will get some assistance from a cover like a solar blanket as they do serve to reduce swimming pool heating costs. As most of a swimming pool’s heat loss is attributed to evaporation, a blanket will act as a barricade against the surrounding air.

What temperature does a heat pump transfer heat from?

If you live in a climate where the air temps do fall below 50°F, this option may be of interest. These heat pumps actually transfer heat from water sources that include ponds or lakes, even wells.

Is a gas pool heater energy efficient?

While this fact may not be of issue to everyone, it bears revealing that this is not an energy-efficient means of heating your pool. They require a dedicated gas line and a fuel source from a public service or a backyard propane tank. They are also more ideal for smaller spas and pools as the operating costs can run up to $500/month. In addition, the heater itself will not endure indefinitely; you may be looking at a heater replacement every 5 or so years.

Can you keep a pool open in the winter?

However, since weather can be unpredictable, if you plan to keep your pool open during the colder months, you must keep your water heated well above freezing temperatures.

Is a pool heat pump better than a heat pump?

Best for pools installed in colder climates, they heat better than a heat pump which does not necessarily operate as efficiently in harsher climates.

Can you keep a pool warm?

The different methods of keeping your pool warm do have pluses and minuses, but with some education and effort, like Dory in Finding Nemo, you can “just keep swimming.”

What are the factors that affect pool heating?

There are three factors that affect pool heating: Wind Exposure. Humidity Levels.

What is a heat pump pool heater?

A heat pump pool heater is an advanced-technology pool-heating solution that maintains efficiency even after years of use. Essentially, the only cost is the compressor and fan motor operation, allowing you to then consume the “free heat” from the air!

How to determine if a pool pump is energy efficient?

The higher the COP, the more energy efficient it is. Typically, COP is measured by testing a heat pump pool heater with an outdoor temperature of 80 degrees. COPs usually range from 3.0 to 7.0, which converts to an efficiency of around 500%. This means that for every unit of electricity it takes to run a compressor, you get 3-7 units of heat.

How many pool owners use Aquacomfort?

Over 100,000 pool owners across America efficiently heat their pool with AquaComfort pool heat pumps. Whether you live in Florida, California or even up north, AquaComfort can deliver warmer water temperatures with no emissions and a significantly less operating cost than all other pool heating products.

How much heat does Aquacomfort provide?

In addition to cost, there’s a long list of benefits that are worth noting when choosing AquaComfort as your heating solution. More Heat — AquaComfort provides 30–40% more heat than similar-sized competitor pumps in the first and last 30 days of swimming season when you need it most. This opens in a new window.

How much does a swimming pool increase the value of a home?

According to the National Association of Realtors statistics, a swimming pool can even increase the value of your home by an average of 7.7% , adding a greater level of attraction to those thinking of buying your home. A swimming pool is certainly an added asset to a home. Whether you’re considering building a pool or you already have ...

Can you swim in a pool if it's too cold?

Whether you’re considering building a pool or you already have a swimming pool, you’ll probably avoid swimming in it if the water is too cold. Without some sort of heating, your pool water won’t get as warm as you’d like, so to enjoy your pool on more than just the hottest days of the summer, it’s best to consider pool heating options.