1. Thermodynamics
It may be an obvious one, but it is an efficient cheap way nonetheless. The sun increases the ambient temperature alongside using the radiation generated to penetrate the pool to raise the water temperature.
This method of heating your pool is out of your control, whether your pool is comfortable or not to swim in is dependent on the weather outside. When it is cold outside, the weather is working against your pool making it colder and less desirable to use due to wind shear. In southern California, we have fantastic summers filled with abundant sunlight while our winters are colder.
2. Solar Pool Cover
Solar pool covers work by capturing the energy of the sun and transferring it to your pool water to maintain a warm temperature.
The downside of solar pool covers is that they do not keep the water as warm as a gas or an electric heater. A main benefit of utilizing a solar cover, is that they defend against the water evaporating while blocking dust, dirt, and debris to keep your pool cleaner.
75% of a swimming pool’s heat loss is due to evaporation and wind shear. Putting a solar cover on the pool is like putting a lid on a hot coffee mug, allowing your pool to seal in the heat.
3. Use A Gas Heater
Gas-fired pool heaters are the most popular method of heating swimming pools. These heaters utilize natural gas or propane. The water is drawn from the pool through a filter and then transferred to a heater. The gas is ignited within the heaters combustion chamber, which generates heat and then transfers the heated water back to the pool.
Gas heaters shine when you need to quickly heat a pool and are able to maintain any desired temperature regardless of the weather. The downside with heating your pool with gas, is that your pool is cooling down when the heater isn’t on and it will cost you a lot of money down the road to heat your pool.
4. Invite Some Neighborhood Kids Over To Swim
If you prefer an “Au Naturel” method of heating your pool, you can invite some neighborhood kids over to have a swim and let nature take its course!
Results may vary so we suggest you have multiple kids swimming at once for maximum effect ;]
5. Install Solar Pool Panels
Solar pool panels consist of 4 main components:
- Solar collector – panel that is heated through the sun and water is passed through.
- Pump – circulates water through the filter and collector, then released back into the pool.
- Filter- removes dust and debris from the water before entering the solar collectors
- Flow control valve – diverts pool water through the solar collector.
- Thermostat – reads the temperature of the water and opens / closes the flow control valve.
The main benefit of utilizing solar pool is that they are very cost effective by utilizing the sun’s energy to heat your pool. They are an investment that pays for itself in a few years. They also extend your swim season typically to a total of 8-10 months of comfortable swimming!
If you are a person who likes to swim comfortably while saving money, solar pool panels are for you.