Common Practices for Heating Inground Pools

Heating Considerations

• Common practices for heating in-ground pools use the same methods as those used for heating above-ground pools. The types of heating sources available include solar, gas and heat pumps. Knowing a pool’s size can help determine the capacity requirements needed from a pool heater. And while smaller heating systems may cost less, they won’t necessarily reduce the overall cost of keeping a pool heated. A larger heating system can heat a pool more quickly and won’t have to work as hard as a smaller system to keep the water warm. So energy consumption costs remain the same whether using a large or small heating system.

Solar Heating

• Solar heating systems use solar collector panels that absorb, store and transfer solar heat to an in-ground pool. Solar systems can continue to heat a pool year-round as long as the heat exchanger device contains anti-freeze fluids. And while a solar-powered system can provide an energy-efficient heating method, heating capacities can vary depending on climate and the amount of sun exposure the pool gets. Part of this problem can be remedied by using a pool cover. Because 70 percent of a pool’s heat escapes through evaporation, a pool cover can reduce evaporation rates by up to 95 percent, according to the Swimming Pool Heater Guide reference site. With proper installation and maintenance, a solar-powered system can last up to 20 years.

Gas Heating

• Gas-powered heating systems provide a year-round source of heating for in-ground pools regardless of climate conditions. Gas systems run off of natural or propane gas, meaning the installation of any gas fittings requires a licensed plumber. Pool water heats up as water circulates through the system’s gas-powered heat exchanger unit. This process heats pool water up quickly, even when pool use occurs on an occasional basis. With a minimum lifespan of five years, gas systems tend not to last as long as solar or heat pump-powered systems. The short lifespan results from residue buildup within the system’s components.

Heat Pumps

• The same basic heat pump design used in refrigerators and air conditioners can also provide a heating source for in-ground pools. When used with a pool, a heat pump moves heat from the outside air into a pool’s water. The system consists of a refrigerant liquid, a compressor and a heat exchanger. The refrigerant liquid carries the heat from the outside air to the heat exchanger unit and then into the pool water. The compressor unit squeezes the heat into the refrigerant liquid. The heat exchanger then extracts the heat from the liquid and into the water. Heat pump systems can provide an energy-efficient method for heating a pool, though outside temperatures must remain above 45 degrees so sufficient amounts of heat are available to the system. A well-maintained heat pump system can last up to 10 years or longer.