How to Compare Pool Heating Prices

Owning a pool in New Zealand can come with numerous costs. Arguably, heating expenditure tends to take up a large fraction of your budget for your swimming pool care and maintenance. If you want to save money or find a more sustainable way to heat up your pool water, you will need to know a thing or two about swimming pool heaters.

In our discussion below, we will explore your different options and how you can compare pool heating
prices, so you know what will work best for you.

The Science of Pool Heating

Have you ever wondered how pool heaters work? How do they end up using a lot of energy in the first place? To help you understand, let’s try to take a closer look at how the system works.

Essentially, a swimming pool heating equipment keeps the water at an optimal temperature ranging from 77 to 85 degrees. It applies to both summer and winter days to prevent you from feeling cold after your usual swimming schedule.

You get to choose from three main types of pool heating systems, depending on your preference and the pools’ heating requirements. The first one is the gas heating system, which utilizes propane or natural gas to power the coils and heat the water to your preferred water temperature. Then there’s the
electric type, which of course depends on electricity to do its job. The last type, solar pool heaters, is undeniably becoming more and more popular among households thanks to its affordable running costs.

Pros and Cons of the Three Types of Swimming Pool Heaters

To give you an idea of which heater to use for your swimming pool, let’s check out the average annual running cost of each type (on a standard size pool) and their respective pros and cons:

•  Gas heater – $500-$2100 (depending on whether you use LPG or natural gas)
  • PROS
    • Easy servicing and maintenance
    • Affordable initial costs (system and installation costs)
  • CONS:
    • Less energy-efficient compared to the pump type
    • Expensive operational costs
    • Short lifespan

• Electric pump heaters – $250-$750
  • PROS
    • Eco-friendly option because it uses up lesser energy to heat water
    • Easy to find spare parts in case you have a damaged system
       Consistent performance and durable make
  • CONS
    • High initial costs (the price of the system plus installation)
    • Some systems tend to be noisy when running

• Solar pool heaters – $100-$200
  •  PROS
    • Inexpensive running costs
    • Affordable system price and installation
  • CONS
    • Hard to source spare parts in case the system breaks
    • It largely depends on the sunlight received in the area
    • It might not work for some parts of New Zealand

There you have it, the three types of pool heating systems. Do you know which one to choose for your household? If you’re not sure what system would work best for you, feel free to reach out to our team. We will help you figure out the best choice.

Pool Heater Shopping Guide – Things You Must Consider

Certainly, when you shop for a swimming pool heater, there are basic things you have to consider, including the pool size, your available budget, and climate in the area. You need to look into each factor if you want to maximize your investment and select the right type of pool heater. Let’s deep dive into each factor.

Size of Your Pool

Do you know the size of your pool? As a rule of thumb, if you have a large swimming pool, you should expect to use a large and powerful heater. Otherwise, the water won’t get heated enough, and your existing system might break down earlier than expected because it gets overworked.

So, for example, if you have a Torino-type pool and you’re located somewhere on the Northern side of New Zealand, you will most likely spend around $5.5 to heat your pool. You may need to use a 200-300 BTU heater to reach your ideal temperature for the pool water.

If you prefer using the solar-type pool heater, you will need to coordinate with a specialist to determine which system would work best for you. Take note that besides the solar heater’s panel size, you will need to consider the amount of sunlight your area gets each year. You will also need to take into consideration the elevation in your location.

Your Available Budget

Earlier in the discussion, we specifically noted that the installation and operational costs differ depending on what sort of heater you prefer to use. You will need to think about those factors when you decide on the system you will install.

In addition, we also recommend looking at the maintenance and repair costs. If you use a solar heating system, you might have to spend a bit more on repair and maintenance than when using the other two types.  However, if you think the solar heater’s operational and installation can offset the future fees you need to settle in case the system breaks, then it’s genuinely a worthy option for you.

The Prevailing Climate In Your Area

You must factor in the climate in your location when you choose a heater type. That’s because the efficiency of the system might get affected if your area has a fluctuating temperature. Also, if you’re leaning towards the solar pool heater, you should ensure that you have enough sun throughout the year. Otherwise, the system won’t function as you expect it to.

Saving Money When Using Your Pool Heater

Have you made up your mind about what type of heater you will install for your residential pool? Now, because each type has a different energy requirement and efficiency, you will have to make necessary adjustments if you want to save money while your heater is running.

Here are some of the most practical tips you can use to ensure that you don’t blow your budget for each month:

• When not in use, choose to adjust the temperature or switch off the system.
• Make sure to put a pool cover when you don’t intend to use the swimming pool. This helps reduce the evaporation rate of the pool water and save energy used.
• If you end up choosing a pump that’s smaller than what you need, you should use it less. This way, it doesn’t get strained, and you save energy at the same time.
• Consider investing in quality pool insulation to help maintain the ambient temperature.
• Consider changing the pool color into something darker because white pools tend to stay cool compared to black or navy colored ones.

Enjoy a Swim in Your Pool Anytime of the Year!

Needless to say, having a swimming pool in your home can cost you a bit of money. But, with the right heater in place and by practicing essential energy-saving tips, you can enjoy swimming any time of the year in your residential pool. We hope the short guide we prepared above can help you compute for the average pool heating costs in New Zealand and choose the perfect option for your household.

If you have more questions about pool heaters or if you’re ready to shop and install a system for your swimming pool, we’re available for a chat. Call us anytime you need help!