Can Fibreglass Pools Be Heated?
So you have decided on purchasing a Fibreglass Swimming Pool but does your pool need to be heated? This is a personal preference but the general answer would be yes. There are several different types of heating options available, let’s take a look at why heating your pool is beneficial and what heating options are available.
Why is a heating system for your pool important?
All our outdoor pools in Australia no matter the area need a bit of help with heating the water. Even in summer, a swimming pool in a cooler city such as Melbourne will generally only reach 22 degrees maximum. When thinking about warmer areas such as Perth and surrounding areas you may not think there is any need for heating a swimming pool but in fact, there is. For example, in the summer your pool may reach around 29 degrees but in winter and autumn, it could drop to 10 degrees or lower. Heating is so important if you want to get the most use out of your swimming pool.
One thing to remember is the reason why you purchased your swimming pool in the first place, to relax, unwind, spend time with family and friends, enjoy fitness and health. Generally speaking, spas are normally heated to 29 degrees which is the temperature most people can comfortably relax in. As you can see, no matter where you are based in Australia heating your pool is quite important, let’s look at the 3 different types of heating that are available.
Solar Heating
Solar Heating is the most popular type of heating and the main reason being it is the most cost-effective. It uses the natural energy from the sun to heat your pool, so as well as being low cost to run it also beneficial for the environment. Solar heating is worked by collecting the suns natural energy using a solar collector. The water is then processed through many tubes over the solar collector at a steady and consistent speed. The water is then returned to the pool at a warmer temperature, and as it consistently keeps working it, in turn, heats the entire pool.
The reason solar heating is the cheapest option is due to the amount of electricity needed to run, most of the time it only uses 1KW per hour. Solar is a great choice for areas that get a lot of sunshine, as it relies on the sun for its energy to heat the pool. If you live in an area that doesn’t get much sunshine especially through the cooler months, a different style of heating might be a better option or using solar in conjunction with another.
Electric Heating
Electric heating is also known as a heat pump. This type of heating is popular with homeowners in Australia as they can heat your pool without costing a fortune. They are generally quite affordable, they work by collecting air from outside and transferring it into the pool via the heat pump. Electric heating can be just as powerful as solar, even when the sun is not shining electric heating still works as it can still collect heat from the air even when it’s overcast and cloudy. Another benefit of electric heating is that it will heat your pool at a faster rate compared to solar.
Electric heating definitely uses a greater amount of electricity compared to solar heating, in turn choosing this option will mean more expensive and not as beneficial for the environment.
Gas Heating
Gas heating is the most expensive option out of the 3, the reason for this is that it doesn’t rely on the sun or air for its temperature it purely relies on its energy form which is gas. The gas burns in the heater’s ignition chamber which in turn makes heat then return to the water in the pool. When choosing Gas heating it means that you can keep your pool at your desired temperature all year round.
Gas heaters are the number one choice when it comes to spas, especially spas that are used for hydrotherapy as they need to be maintained at a pleasant temperature to relieve pain. Another benefit of gas is how quick it will heat your pool, compared to solar and electric heating, gas is by far the quickest, depending on the size of your pool, it could be heated at your desired temp in as little as an hour.
However even though it seems gas takes the crown for heating, there are a few disadvantages. Gas heating is extremely expensive to run which also means it is harmful to the environment and it is not a lean form of energy. Due to the high costs and effects on the environment gas heating is more commonly used as a back up only, when there is not enough sunshine around for solar power.
Which heating option is right for me?
This comes down to personal preferences and individual circumstances. Before choosing the correct heating system there are a few things to consider. What will your pool be used for? for example is it just for relaxing or will you be wanting to swim all year round?
Does where you live get a lot of sunshine even in the cooler months? Do you want to be able to use your pool all year round? Because there are so many important things to consider before making the decision, it would be highly recommended to talk to someone who is experienced in the field. Barrier Reef Pools have extensive years of experience in the fibreglass pool industry. We have over 30 years experience and our friendly team are always happy to help and answer any questions you have! Feel free to give us a call today and we can assist with helping you make the right decision.
