9 Tips to Heat a Pool Efficiently (With or Without a Heater)

As spring begins, the first warm ray of sunshine might have you itching to open up the pool. Luckily, you have many options for how to heat your pool. Some are affordable short-term solutions, while others are long-term investments. Here are 11 tips to help you take advantage of all your heating options, whether or not you have a pool heater.

1. Go Solar

Heating a pool doesn’t have to be expensive if you allow the earth’s elements to assist you. Simply letting your sun soak up the rays increases the temperature by 0.7 degrees per hour of full sunlight, but there are plenty of solar pool covers that work harder and faster to capture the sun’s heat:

• Solar Pool Covers: Also called solar blankets, solar pool covers form a barrier between the water and the sun, absorbing heat. They can increase the pool’s temperature by up to 15 degrees and prevent 95% of evaporation. Note, though, that you won’t be able to swim unless you take the cover off. 

• Liquid Solar Pool Covers: These covers are a fatty alcohol substance that forms an invisible barrier on the pool’s surface to prevent evaporation. It’s biodegradable, non-toxic, and affordable, but it doesn’t fare well in windy climates or vigorous swimming, which could break the seal. 

• Solar Dome: This dome-shaped pool cover consists of vinyl and aluminum closings that effectively turn your outdoor pool into an indoor one. Its clear material allows sunlight to enter while preventing heat from escaping.

• Solar Rings: Though this wireless solar pool heating option may look like a pool toy, it’s actually made of disc-shaped UV-resistant vinyl that keeps out coolness, draws in sunlight, and stores heat. Each solar ring is only about 2 feet in diameter, but you don’t need more than a few to feel the effects on your pool.

2. Build an Enclosure

Another way to keep your pool comfortable without using a heater—or to use it less—is to build an enclosure. Because wind is one of the major factors in cooling your pool water, building a windproof enclosure will cut down on any energy costs associated with running a heater. 

Your pool enclosure costs will depend on the type of enclosure you choose and how elaborate your design is. Still, many deem this a worthwhile expense because you can use the pool at any time of year, regardless of weather or temperature. A more affordable method to combat the wind is to install a windscreen fence around the pool.

3. Try the Black Hose Trick

If you have a smaller pool, you don’t need to buy a fancy solar dome or install solar panels—the black hose trick can warm pool water at bargain basement costs. All you need is a thick black garden hose. 

To create a DIY solar pool heater, connect the hose to your tap and leave it in a spot that receives abundant direct sunlight. Wrap the hose up like a coil in the middle of that bright patch, leaving enough slack for the spout to reach the pool. After the hose heats in the sun, turn it on and run warm water into the pool.

4. Insulate, Insulate, Insulate 

No heating method will work in a pool that’s not insulated. The ground surrounding your pool will always be cooler than your desired water temperature. To properly insulate an in-ground pool, install a rigid panel insulation around the pool base. This will allow less heat to escape and reduce your energy costs. 

On the flip side, insulating an aboveground pool will require a bit more work because you’ll need to redo it each time you go for a swim. Cover the water with a surface blanket that fits the dimensions of your pool, then tie ropes to the edges of the pool to secure it from windy and rainy conditions to ensure as little heat as possible escapes. 

5. Use a Pool Heater

If you’ve exhausted all your options and are still finding your pool water a little too cold for comfort, you may need a more heavy-duty option, like a heat pump, gas or propane heater, or solar-powered heater.

Here’s a breakdown of different types of pool heaters.

6. Set the Thermostat at a Modest Temperature

Everyone has a different ideal water temperature for a comfortable swim, but setting the thermostat too high can result in overwhelming expenses. It’s easy for a small hot tub to maintain temperatures above 80 degrees, but maintaining that level in an average-sized pool would cost a small fortune. 

You’ll incur an extra 15% and 18% in operating costs for every degree bump you set. Only run your heater when you plan to use the pool to save costs or set it lower after you’re finished swimming.

7. Make a Fire Pit

A less conventional means of heating a home pool is the oldest: a wood fire. Install a backyard fire pit near the pool and run copper piping or a metal coil in the pit. To connect the coil or pipe to your pool system, attach one end to a water pump and the other to a hose that returns the heated water back to the pool. Once you’ve got this setup, start a fire, and the water will heat as it circulates through the piping. 

While a fire pit can provide supplementary heat to your pool, it might not be enough as a sole heating method, especially for larger pools. It works best in conjunction with something like a solar cover or electric heater. You’ll also need to maintain the fire and make sure the temperature doesn’t get too high, which could damage the pool pump.  

8. Service Your Gas or Propane Heater Annually

As with any other appliance that burns fuel, you should have your gas or propane pool heater serviced regularly by a local pool heater pro—once a year on average. Though you’ll pay for the maintenance, you’ll enjoy more long-term savings using a highly efficient, longer-lasting system.

9. Maintain Your Pool’s Mechanical Systems

The better your pool pump and filtration systems work, the more efficient your heating efforts will be. In the long run, paying to install the best mechanical systems and maintaining them will save you on heating costs. 

Tips to Reduce Pool Heating Costs

Some of the best ways to save on pool heating costs are maintaining proper pool insulation and having your heater serviced regularly—both allow the heating method to operate at its best. Here are a few other tips for lowering costs while keeping your pool summery:

• Run your pool pump during the warmest parts of the day to circulate warm water. 

• Clean the pool filter regularly so the heating system works more efficiently by improving water flow. 

• Cover the pool at night to retain heat when temperatures drop. 

• Keep the pool area free from obstructions like overhanging branches that cast shade.

Audrey Bruno contributed to this piece.