Managing Swimming Pool Temperature for Energy Efficiency (2023)

FAQs

What is the most energy efficient way to heat a pool? ›

Using an electric heat pump is the best way to heat your pool. Full stop. You'll want a powerful unit that will save you on your energy bill every month, like the Energy-Saving ComforTemp Pool Heat Pump 95,000 BTU to heat 18,000 Gallons.

Keep Swimmers Comfortable

Set your pool heater's thermostat to a temperature between 78°F and 82°F (26°C and 28°C) to keep the majority of swimmers comfortable. Maybe a little cooler if you're in an area with very hot summers, or a little warmer if you live in a milder climate.

Also, turn the temperature down or turn off the heater whenever the pool won't be used for several days. This will save energy and money. It's a myth that it takes more energy to heat a pool back up to a desired temperature than you save by lowering the temperature or turning off the heater.

Reduce the temperature of the pool a few degrees. The warmer you keep your pool water, the more it costs to heat it. The US Department of Energy explains pool heating energy consumption, pointing out that each higher degree in temperature will cost you 10–30 percent more. That cost range is due to weather.

It takes a lot of electricity to clean the water and calibrate the chemicals – not to mention a lot of time on your part to take care of it. Research shows that pool owners spend over 40 percent more on energy costs per year than those without pools.

Budgeting for a pool is complex, but remember to consider how much a pool costs per month in electricity. Running a pool adds about $50 per month to your electricity bill. However, monthly energy costs for your pool can range anywhere from $10 to $300, depending on your pool pump type.

The average pool water evaporation rate is about a quarter of an inch of water per day or more than two inches in a week, which on a 33′ x 18′ swimming pool (an average pool size) is more than 2500 liters or approximately 600 gallons a week; this may vary depending on your climate and the factors listed above.

Most casual swimming pool users like the water in the 84-86 degree range. Many hotels and resorts typically try to maintain their pool water temperature in this range.

Now anything colder than 78 degrees will start to make you feel chilled when you step out of the water. Anything above 82 degrees will begin to feel like bath water. However, 80 degrees is generally warm and cool enough for all to enjoy.

How many degrees does a pool heat up in an hour? ›

Translation: if you run a 400,000 BTU heater for one hour (using four gallons of propane) you will raise the temperature in a 21,000 gallon pool by about 1.82 degrees.

The decision as to whether leaving the pool heater on or off overnight relies on your usages and plans. Turning off the heater is advisable if you will be out for a couple of days or if you only plan to swim during weekends. There's no advantage to have the heater turned on all week long.

No matter where you're swimming, avoiding water below 70 degrees Fahrenheit is a good rule of thumb for the average swimmer. The truth of the matter, though, is that 70 degrees is still pretty chilly. You'll probably have a better time if you wait for warmer water.

Some might say that gas is less expensive, but that's only part of the story. Gas is typically cheaper than electric when it comes to the initial cost.

Simple. The warmer you heat your pool water, the more it will cost. Each degree rise in temperature equates to an approximate 15-18% increase in operation cost. While an 88°F pool is toasty, it will cost a lot more to maintain than a pool held at 85°F.

As far as energy efficiency goes, you'd want to run it during the day. Now, if you're looking to swim in the morning, and you want it at 85 degrees in the morning, you're probably going to have to run it at night. Another thing you could do is stagger the run times during the day.

Additionally, solar pool heating lasts about twice as long as a regularly used heat pump, as our systems here at UMA come with a 12-year warranty! Plus, the maintenance costs are far lower (virtually nonexistent, in most cases).