Indoor Pool and Spa Heating

Indoor swimming pools have the advantage of not being subjected to the weather conditions outdoors. Yet heating indoor pools does create three needs:

• The pool water must be heated,
• The pool room must be dehumidified, and
• In the winter the room air must be heated.

These issues have the potential to increase energy costs.

Indoor installation of a heat pump not only heats the pool, but provides the added benefit of de-humidification of the pool room. Plus if a cover is used on the pool, both the humidity and the heat loss will be greatly reduced to the point where a heat pumps run time of only a few hours per day, will maintain pool temperature as well as keep the room dry.

Pool heat pumps are an efficient, environmentally friendly way to heat a pool. Heat pumps can save pool owners money in the long run as they typically have a much lower annual operating costs than gas heaters and with proper maintenance, can last up to 10 years or more.

This method of heating is environmentally friendly as they use less energy than other heating methods. They operate by extracting heat from the outside air, increasing the heat with a compressor, delivering the heat to the water, and ejecting the cold air out the top of the unit.

For a heat pump to operate effectively, the ambient air outside should be 45* or higher. This method of pool heating may be ideal for pool owners who use their pool in warmer weather or who live in warmer climates during the colder seasons

Indoor Electric Spa and Hot Tub Heaters

Electric element heaters are also known as tank-less heaters. They are less expensive initially, but cost up to 5 or 6 times more than a heat pump to heat a swimming pool, making them good options for spas and hot tubs because they don't take up much space and can be put indoors.

For small pools or spas that get continuous use, electric heaters can have a lower operating cost, but would costs too much to run and heat a swimming pool. Electric element pool heaters are ideal for spa heaters. They can easily be installed indoors, but do not operate as a dehumidifier, so a separate dehumidifier would be needed.

Pool Water Evaporation and Pool Covers

Pools lose energy in a variety of ways, but evaporation is by far the largest source of energy loss for swimming pools. Covering a pool when it is not in use is the single most effective means of reducing pool heating costs. Savings of 50-70% are possible. Pool covers on indoor pools reduce evaporation (and consequently the need to ventilate indoor air and replace it with conditioned outdoor air). Exhaust fans can be shut off as well when the pool is covered, reducing energy costs further. Because most indoor pools are used year-round and have no opportunity to gain solar heat, pool covers can keep the pool temperatures higher without having to run a pool heater as often.

View our different selection on available solar pool and spa covers.

Indoor Pool Proper Ventilation

Tips on reducing condensation when heating your swimming pool.  Swimming pool rooms require proper ventilation in order to control the indoor humidity and condensation caused by the large amounts of evaporation. Without effective de-humidification and ventilation, you risk the appearance of mold, corrosion, structural damage and an uncomfortable pool environment. Mold and mildew feed in warm, moist environments plus chlorine added to the warm air attacks ferrous metals and accelerates damaging corrosion. Another issue with high humidity is wood rot. A dehumidifier cools the air down to condense the moisture out and then reheats the air back to room temperature. A dehumidifier provides virtually no heat to the pool or room though.