Heating your pool not only makes it more enjoyable but also has therapeutic benefits and extends the swimming season. As a pool owner you have three options for heating your pool: solar, gas, or electric heat pumps.

Solar
Heating your pool with solar energy is cost competitive with both gas and electric heat pumps, and in many climates it is the most cost effective option. It has the added benefit of being environmentally friendly.
With a solar heating system water is run through a filter, then the solar collector, and finally into the pool. Although some pool builders use the pool’s filtration system to run the solar heating system, Albatross Pools prefers a completely independent system to ensure heating and operating efficiency - there is a greater cost upfront but it surely pays off!
Consider how you will use your pool. If you will only swim during parts of the spring and autumn but all of the summer, then solar is a good choice. With proper maintenance, you can expect 10 plus years from your solar heating system.
Gas
Gas is one of the most popular ways to heat a pool. It is the ideal heating system for pools that need to be heated quickly and that are not used on a regular basis. Unlike an electric heat pump or solar heater, gas pool heaters can maintain any desired temperature regardless of the weather or climate. Many pool owners use a gas heater as a back up to another heating system.
With a gas heater, pool water runs through a filter and then the heater; gas burns in the heater's combustion chamber thereby generating the heat that transfers to the water that goes in the pool.
The cost of natural gas or propane is a big consideration when choosing a gas heater, however newer gas heaters are more fuel efficient than older models. Properly maintained, a gas heater should last five or more years.
Additionally, a gas booster heater is a good option to supplement your solar heater because it ensures you can swim during cooler spring and autumn weather. If you want to swim all year round, then consider a solar system for the warmer summer months and a gas system for winter.
Electric heat pumps
Electric heat pumps are best for extended use. An electric heat pump does not generate its own heat but rather captures heat and moves it from one place to another. Heat pumps operate most efficiently when the outside ambient air temperature is 7.2-10 degrees, because the cooler the outside air, the more energy they use to heat it.
The pool's water is run through a filter and then the heat pump.
An electric heat pump will initially cost more than a gas heater, but its annual operating cost are typically less, thereby offering greater savings. Electric heat pumps generate a similar noise to an air conditioner and this should be considered when deciding on the best heating solution for your dream pool.
A heat pump is not as costly as some assume and is a good option if you want to swim from September through May.
At Albatross Pools, we can help you determine which heating system is best for your individual pool and unique environment.
No matter which heating system you choose, a pool cover is beneficial because it traps the heat at night. Heating a pool without a cover is like heating a house without a roof.