How to heat a swimming pool: your options
Compare a heat pump, gas and solar on running cost and year-round comfort to choose the right way to heat your pool.
Key Takeaways
- The main ways to heat a pool are a heat pump or a gas heater, each suited to different needs
- A heat pump plugs into your mains supply with no gas line, heats the full pool and spa, and costs far less to run
- A CHR 35kW heat pump runs at around $3 a day and keeps your pool warm year-round
There is more than one way to heat a swimming pool and the right choice comes down to how you use your pool and what you want to spend running it. This guide walks through the main options so you can heat your pool with confidence.
The short answer
There are three main ways to heat a pool: a heat pump, a gas heater or solar. A heat pump gives warm water all year at a low running cost. Gas costs more to run. Solar costs the least to run but only heats when the sun is out. For year-round swimming, a heat pump is the considered choice.
The three main ways to heat a pool
For most Melbourne homes it comes down to a heat pump, a gas heater or solar. All three will warm your water, but they suit different needs.
Heat pump
A heat pump plugs into your mains power, with no gas line required. It draws warmth from the surrounding air and transfers it into your water, returning up to 20 units of heat for every 1 unit of power it uses. It heats the full pool and spa and works across the year. Our 35kW unit runs at around $3 a day. See how a swimming pool heat pump works for the detail.
Gas heater
A gas heater burns gas to warm the water. It needs a copper gas line of 25 to 50mm and larger units can need a meter upgrade. Gas is spa-focused rather than built for full pool heating. It also carries a higher running cost, charged per hour on your gas tariff.
Solar
Solar pumps pool water up through collectors, usually on the roof, where the sun warms it. The energy is free, so it costs the least to run. The trade-off is that it only heats when the sun is out, so it extends the warmer months rather than keeping the pool warm through winter. It also needs a large, unshaded roof area. Read solar pool heating vs heat pump for a full comparison.
Your options side by side
| Heat pump | Gas heater | Solar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat source | Warmth in the air | Burning gas | Direct sun |
| Running cost | Low. The CHR 35kW runs at around $3 a day | Higher, charged on your gas tariff | Very low |
| Works all year | Yes | Yes | Limited on cool or cloudy days |
| What it needs | Mains power. No gas line | A copper gas line, sometimes a meter upgrade | A large, unshaded roof area |
Which one suits you
If you want warm water across the whole year at a low running cost and comfortable heating for the full pool and spa, a heat pump is the considered choice. If you only ever want to warm the spa occasionally and already have gas plumbed in, a gas heater can suit, though it will cost more to run. If the lowest running cost matters most, you have suitable roof space and you mainly swim in the warmer months, solar can suit.
Keep the heat in with a pool cover
Whichever option you choose, a pool cover helps hold the heat in overnight, so the system works less to keep the water warm. It is one of the simplest ways to get more from your pool heating.
Matching the unit to your pool
Once you have chosen a heat pump, size it to your pool volume. As a guide, the 17kW suits pools up to 20,000L, the 24kW up to 30,000L, the 35kW up to 60,000L and the 40kW up to 80,000L. Read our choosing your heating guide for a side-by-side comparison and sizing in more detail.
Already have a pool? You can add a heat pump to an existing pool without rebuilding it. You may also want to know how much a pool heat pump costs. When you are ready, get in touch with our team and we will help you get it right.
Common questions
What is the cheapest way to heat a pool?
Solar is the cheapest to run, but it only heats when the sun is out. For warm water all year at a low running cost, a heat pump is the stronger choice. The CHR 35kW runs at around $3 a day.
Can you heat a pool in winter?
Yes, with a heat pump or gas. A heat pump draws warmth from the air rather than the sun, so it keeps working through winter. Read do pool heat pumps work in winter?
Do I need a gas connection to heat my pool?
Not with a heat pump. It runs on mains power and the CHR AstroMax W17, C24 and H35 Turbo run on single phase power, the supply most homes already have.
Ready for year-round swimming?
Speak to our team about heating your pool. We'll help you choose the right unit for effortless, year-round comfort.