Solar Pool Heater vs Heat Pump

Two common ways many people choose to heat their swimming pools are with a heat pump or a solar system. Heat pump pool heaters function differently than solar heaters. It has a much higher lifecycle cost, but it has some benefits. Knowing the difference between the two can help you choose the best option for heating your swimming pool. The following articles list the diverse features of each product to help you make a more informed decision.

Heat Pumps and Solar Pool Heaters: Key Differences

Fortunately for the average pool owner, there are several cost-effective ways to do this. Perhaps the most attractive of these are heat pumps and solar pool heating. There is another bunch of thorns. Which of the two is the best?

Heat pumps and solar heaters, and even do-it-yourself solar pool heaters, all do the same job in very different ways. Both have pros and cons, and usually some numbers are needed to decide which one is best for your needs. Let's see the main differences between the two:

Electric Heat Pump Pool Heaters:

A heat pump can be thought of as a reverse air conditioner. Traditional air conditioners absorb heat in a room and transfer it outside to dissipate it into the atmosphere. A heat pump takes heat from the outside air and uses it in its internal mechanism to heat the pool water.

Basically, an existing pool pump or a dedicated pump takes the water out of the pool via a heat pump. Once the heat pump has heated the water, it returns to the pool in a continuous cycle.

Electric heat pump pool heaters do use electricity, but are definitely more efficient than resistance cell heaters.

Solar Pool Heaters:

Unlike heat pump pool heaters, solar pool heaters do not use electricity to heat the pool water. They rely on the thermal mass of solar radiation to heat the pool water in a series of tubes or pipes. These tube arrangements are called solar collectors.

The overall operation of a solar pool heater is similar to a pool heat pump. The cold water in the pool is pumped into a collector, where it is heated by solar radiation. The hot water is then returned to the pool, replaced by cold water, and the process starts all over again.

Advantages and disadvantages of electric heat pump and solar water heater types

While both types of pool heaters do the same job, they both have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Here's a direct comparison of the relative pros and cons of each type.

Electric heat pump

Advantage

1. Can operate day or night in all light conditions.

2. It heats up faster than the solar system.

3. Reduce upfront installation costs.

4. Inconspicuous and relatively easy to move.

Shortcoming

1. Much less cost-effective over time.

2. More maintenance is required.

3. Maintenance costs are higher.

4. Types of Solar Pool Heaters

Solar pool heating

Advantage

1. There are no operating costs other than the power consumption of the pump.

2. Requires less maintenance than heat pumps.

3. Routine repair and maintenance costs are lower than heat pumps.

4. Easy to build DIY version.

5. Larger range of ready-made models to suit all budgets and pool types.

Shortcoming

1. High initial cost.

2. Slow heating time.

3. Only heat your pool during the day and in optimal sunlight conditions.

4. Larger units are visually unappealing and difficult to reposition.

cost impact

4. Let us consider the average installation and running costs of these two pool heater types.

Install

Heat pump

Pool heat pumps require little additional plumbing and control mechanisms. The average cost of a pool heat pump installation is between $2,000 and $4,500.

Solar pool heating

Permanent solar pool heaters require a lot of effort and additional hardware to install. The average installation cost for solar pool heating ranges from $1,500 to $11,000, depending on the type of heater chosen and the size of the pool.

Operating Costs of Heat Pumps vs Solar Pool Heaters

Heat pump

Pool heat pumps are the most efficient electric pool heaters. However, they still cost between $50 and $100 per month to run. This equates to running costs of $600 to $1,200 per year.

Solar pool heating

Solar heaters only really use electricity to pump water into the system. So, on average, a rooftop solar heating system uses about $30 a month or $360 a year to heat your pool.

Combination system

We spent some time comparing the pros and cons of solar and heat pump pool heating. But what if you combine the two? With this in mind, your solar pool heater heats the water during the day. Then your heat pump takes over after dark, isn't that super efficient?

Honestly, yes and no. The truth is, depending on the size of your pool and your specific requirements, a combined system can be very beneficial.

Optimize your pool heating

No matter which heating system you choose, there are ways to increase efficiency and further reduce operating costs.

1. Pool Cover

Pool covers prevent pool heat from escaping from the pool water. These simple, low-tech devices can play an important role in helping your heating system stay ahead of the curve.

2. Solar Pool Ring

Many people disapprove of pool rings as a supplemental source of pool heating. The truth is that they do work. Also, if you use enough of them, they also reduce the amount of water lost through evaporation.

3. Floating solar panel heater

These are essentially mini rooftop solar pool heating panels. They are expensive, but are one of the more effective ways to complement traditional pool heating jobs.

Final Verdict:

For homeowners living in sunny areas, in the battle between heat pumps and solar pool heating, solar pool heating wins. Compared to competitors, solar pool heaters have better overall cost efficiency, ecological impact and longevity.

It’s worth noting that a heat pump can help you enjoy warmer water faster, as long as you want to swim when the outside temperature is above 45-50 degrees (1). However, with a solar pool heater, in favorable climates, you are more likely to end up getting your money back on your investment; making solar a solid choice for many home pool owners.