I’ve been crawling around pump sheds, balancing on hot roof tiles, and wrestling with stubborn fittings for longer than I’d like to admit. Over the years I’ve seen pool heating systems that run like a dream, and others that are… well… let’s just say the owners learned some expensive lessons.
If you’re thinking about heating your pool, it’s one of the best decisions you can make to get more use out of it. But it’s also the kind of upgrade that you want to get right the first time. These are the critical things I tell every customer before they sign off on an installation – the stuff you won’t always hear in the glossy brochures.
Always Use an Authorised Pool Heating Installer
One of my earliest “please come fix this” jobs was for a couple who’d bought a brand-new gas heater online. They had their cousin’s mate install it. He was a decent plumber but had never touched pool heating before.
The heater wasn’t vented properly, the gas line was undersized, and within a month, it tripped out completely. The manufacturer wouldn’t touch the warranty because the installer wasn’t authorised. The couple had to pay for a full reinstall plus repairs on a system that was essentially brand new.
It’s a story I’ve seen too many times. Authorised installers aren’t just ticking boxes – they’re trained by the manufacturer on the specific equipment. They know the quirks, the right setup for efficiency, and how to avoid voiding your warranty. It’s worth the peace of mind.
Find a Pool Heating Company That Does It All
I remember a heated (pardon the pun) phone call between a pool owner, their equipment supplier, and the installer. The water wasn’t heating properly, and both sides kept pointing the finger at each other. Meanwhile, the poor owner was stuck with a cold pool in the middle of spring.
When one company supplies, installs, and services the system, there’s no passing the buck. They’re your single point of contact. If something goes wrong, they fix it. It also means they’ll know your setup from top to bottom, so repairs and servicing are usually quicker and cheaper.
Tailor-Made Solutions Beat Cookie-Cutter Packages
I once had a client with a small plunge pool who’d been sold a massive commercial-grade heater. It could have heated three pools her size at once. The result? Sky-high energy bills and water so hot her kids joked it was a soup pot.
Your pool heating should be matched to your pool, your usage, and your lifestyle. That means the installer should ask you a lot of questions. What temperature do you like your pool at? Do you swim all year or just extend the season? How big is your pool and how sheltered is it from the wind?
These details matter. A properly sized and chosen system won’t just be more comfortable – it’ll also be far more economical to run.
Heat Pumps, Gas or Solar Pool Heating
Gas is like the sports car of pool heating – fast, powerful, and perfect if you want quick heat or use the pool occasionally. Great for spas too. But like a sports car, it’s thirsty, so running costs can be high.
Solar pool heating is the eco champ. I’ve installed plenty of roof collector systems that keep pools warm from spring to autumn for next to nothing in running costs. But they’re weather-dependent – cloudy weeks can take the edge off.
Heat pumps are the workhorses. They’re efficient, work in most conditions, and keep a steady temperature beautifully. They don’t heat as quickly as gas, but if you want the pool ready every day without a big power bill, they’re hard to beat.
Don’t Skip the Pool Blanket
Years ago, I installed a top-of-the-line heat pump for a family. Two weeks later they called me, frustrated that the pool wasn’t staying warm. I asked if they were using their pool blanket. “We haven’t got one,” they said.
Without a blanket, most of your heat escapes overnight through evaporation. A pool blanket keeps that heat in, cuts your running costs, and even reduces chemical loss. It’s like heating your house but leaving the windows open without one.
Go Green Where You Can
I’ve noticed more people asking for energy-efficient pool heating setups, and it’s a trend I love seeing. One of my favourite recent installs was a heat pump hooked up to the customer’s rooftop solar panels. On sunny days, their pool heated for free.
Eco-friendly doesn’t have to mean slow or underpowered. Inverter-driven heat pumps, high-efficiency gas models, and well-installed solar collectors can all give you great performance while keeping the bills and carbon footprint down.
Control from Your Phone
It still amazes me how far pool heating has come. I remember the old days of fiddling with manual timers and temperature dials hidden in dark corners of pump sheds. Now, I’ve got customers who can adjust their pool temperature from the couch… or from a beach in Bali.
Smart controllers let you monitor and adjust your pool heating on the go. Heading home from work and fancy a dip? Crank it up with a tap on your phone. Going away? Switch it off without having to find someone to check the system.
Don’t Forget About Servicing
A heater might sit quietly doing its job for years, but like any piece of machinery, it needs a check-up now and then. I’ve caught small leaks before they became floods and replaced worn parts before they caused total shutdowns.
When choosing a company, ask how they handle servicing. Do they offer annual check-ups? Do they stock parts for the systems they install? In peak swimming season, you don’t want to wait weeks for a repair.
Final Thoughts from the Poolside
Heating is one of those upgrades that changes how you use your pool. You’ll swim more, you’ll get more out of the investment you’ve already made in the pool, and you’ll probably find the backyard becomes the go-to gathering spot.
But the right system makes all the difference. Work with a pool heating company that listens, gives you clear options, and knows how to get the most out of the equipment. That way you end up with a pool that’s not just warm, but welcoming – whenever you feel like a swim.
And if there’s one thing I’ve learned after all these years in the trade, it’s this – a pool that’s too cold to use is just a giant puddle. Heat it right, and it becomes your personal slice of paradise.
