When planning a pool, pool heating is of paramount importance. You can choose from four different variants, which are presented in detail in this comparison.
In a nutshell
- different pool heaters available
- are based on different systems
- Selection is made according to pool size and required heating capacity
- can be retrofitted
solar heating
Solar panels are one of the most popular ways to heat your pool. As pool heating, these are used in various systems, which should be selected depending on the size of your pool and the external conditions:
- solar hoses
- solar rings
- solar absorber
However, they are all based on the same principle. The conveniently placed elements are heated by the sun and the pool water is constantly pumped through the pipes or hoses of the elements. The water heats up over time in this way and is then sent back into the pool. As a result, it heats up more and more until the desired temperature is reached.
solar hoses
Because of the extremely low acquisition costs are solar systems as eco-friendly Pool heaters are increasingly in demand as they hardly require any electricity to operate. But these are not the only ones benefitsthat the systems have to offer:
- easily expandable with modules
- usable all year round
- frost-proof elements available
Of course it is Heat output strongly dependent on the weather in your region. If you live in a sunny corner of Germany, for example Freiburg, you don't really have to worry about that. So think carefully about whether solar heating is suitable for your weather conditions. In addition to the permanent weather dependency, there are others disadvantageThings to consider when choosing solar heating:
- high space consumption
- comparatively lower heat output
electric heating
In addition to solar heating, classic electric heating is one of the standards for pool owners. They count because of their low purchase price one of the most commonly retrofitted pool heaters as it connects like a flow heater. That is, the Iinstallation not complex and takes up very little space, since the devices are quite small in size. Because of these properties, they are particularly well suited for pools with the following characteristics:
- small size
- low volume
- low water depth
The electric heater is particularly recommended as a heating variant for smaller pools.
The reason: the larger the pool, the more water has to be heated to keep the pool warm. Since you are heating with electricity, the costs quickly increase if it is a large pool with a lot of water. For this reason, an electric heater is preferably used during the warmer seasons, so that the electricity costs do not increase exorbitantly. It is usually cheaper to heat an indoor pool compared to an outdoor pool, especially if it is well insulated. the benefits of the heating are clear:
- flexible
- not weather dependent
- suitable as additional heating
- ideal for hot tubs
However, electric heaters should only be used for short periods of time electricity costs keep low what is probably the greatest disadvantage this type of heating. Others are:
- high carbon dioxide emissions (if fossil electricity is used)
- Running costs permanently higher than the purchase price
heat pump
The heat pump is one of the classic pool heaters. For operation you need no additional power source or fuel, which makes them a popular variant for the home pool. Only a power connection is required for the pump to run. The process as follows:
- warm air is sucked in
- Compressor converts air into energy
- Energy is used for heating
For this reason, this type is often used over the summer or in regions with mild temperatures throughout the year. An air temperature of 15°C is ideal for use if you aim for a permanent 22°C in the pool. One of the biggest advantages of this pool heater are the low running costs, because they require little power. Thermodynamics ensure that, with little energy input, there is enough heat to heat the pool as long as it's not too cold outside. The following points also speak for heat pumps, if these are of interest to you:
- extremely low electricity costs
- belongs to the renewable energies
- noticeable
- little need for space
heat pump
For this reason, it is particularly well suited for pool owners who low installation effort and want high heat generation. The heat pump is simply placed in a convenient location and connected to the pool. she is the one perfect alternative to solar heating, if you often struggle with cloudy skies. Because they are automated, they only turn on when the water temperature drops below the set value. This saves even more electricity. the disadvantage However, when using the pump as pool heating, you should note:
- expensive
- cheaper models quite noisy
Notice: If you live in a cooler region, you should consider purchasing a pool heat pump that can generate heat even when the outside temperature is -5°C. However, due to the increased efficiency, you will have to pay a little more for them.
gas heating
There is another type that you can use for pool heating: gas-fired heating systems. As the name suggests, these systems heat with gas, which is heated in a condensing boiler and in this way generates sufficient heat for the water in the pool. Due to the use of natural gas, this type generates a lot of energy and heat that can be used for your pool. A heat exchanger connects the heater to the pool and ensures that the heated carrier medium does not mix with the pool water. But these are not the only ones benefits this pool heater:
- very frugal
- operating costs low
- heats up quickly
- short operating time
- suitable for outdoor and indoor pools
The biggest disadvantage of this system, however, is the required chimney, which can be an extremely expensive purchase. If the heating cannot be incorporated into your existing gas heating system, you must also build a chimney. For this reason, gas heating for your pool is particularly worthwhile if you are planning a new building or can integrate it into the existing system. General is the purchase not exactly cheap and can cost between 1,000 and 3,000 euros depending on the required service. Other disadvantages are:
- Installation complex
- Proximity to natural gas pipelines required (reduces costs)
- Winter operation usually more expensive (up to 40 percent)
- Repairs are quite expensive
Notice: The biggest saving factor of a gas heater is the operating time. Because it brings the water to the desired temperature in a short period of time, less fuel is needed.
frequently asked Questions
Can you build a pool heater yourself?If you want to install the heating on your own, you have to choose a specific type from the comparison: the solar heating. Only it can be implemented without a specialist company or the help of a professional. When building your own solar heater, you can either choose the components yourself or choose a kit with all the necessary components.
How is the required heating output determined?In order to heat your pool efficiently, the performance of the heater is extremely important. If you want to get an idea of this in advance, you have to reckon with 1.16 watt hours per liter of water. Keep in mind that the power required may increase or decrease depending on the location and the desired target temperature. Be sure to talk to a professional about the heating capacity.
Which heaters are suitable for retrofitting a pool?If you already own a pool and want to retrofit it with a heater, you cannot use all variants. Only heat pumps, solar and electric heaters are suitable for this purpose. A gas heater for your pool is difficult to retrofit due to the effort involved and causes high costs. For this reason, you should only use gas heaters for new swimming pools. The easiest way to retrofit electric heaters.