Heating Solutions

January 20 2025

Is your pool heated this summer

Pool owners in Auckland and Wellington look forward to cool swims as summer approaches in New Zealand. Swimming comfort may be impacted by the temperature of the pool water, which is influenced by the surrounding air in these cities. You can improve your swimming experience this season by being aware of these temperature fluctuations and the advantages of pool heating.

Auckland and Wellington’s Ambient Temperatures:

Compared to Wellington in the South Island, Auckland in the North Island has milder summer temperatures. The average daily temperature in Auckland during the summer (December to February) is between 20°C and 25°C (68°F and 77°F). The average temperature in Wellington, on the other hand, is often lower, averaging between 17°C and 21°C (62°F and 70°F) throughout the same time period.

The perfect temperature for Pool Water:

Depending on the intended purpose and individual preferences, there are several optimal pool water temperatures. Most people find that a temperature of 25°C to 28°C (77°F to 82°F) is acceptable for regular swimming. For therapeutic purposes, small children, or the elderly, warmer temperatures—roughly 29°C to 31°C (84°F to 88°F)—are advised. A colder water temperature of about 25°C (77°F) is frequently preferred by competitive swimmers in order to avoid overheating during strenuous training.

Why do you need Pool Heating:

Relying exclusively on natural heat/sun may not give the perfect pool water temperature for pleasant swimming given the ambient temperatures in Wellington and Auckland. Particularly when swimming in the early morning or late at night, unheated pools can be noticeably colder than the ambient air. By installing a pool heating system, you can prolong your swimming season and enjoy more by ensuring consistent and pleasant water temperatures.

Solutions for Heating Pools

There are several pool heating options to fit various demands and price ranges:

Heat Pumps: These transmit heat to the pool water by drawing it from the air. Even on colder days, they effectively and efficiently maintain constant temperatures.

Gas Heaters: Gas heaters, which use natural gas or propane, are perfect for pools that aren’t used frequently since they can quickly raise the water’s temperature. They could, however, be more expensive to operate than alternative techniques.

Solar Heating: The pool water is heated by solar pool heating panels which absorb and use solar energy. Although this eco-friendly choice is less expensive to operate, it requires sufficient sunlight to function.

Local pool heating experts may provide residents of Auckland and Wellington specialized solutions that take into account their own preferences and the environment in their areas. To keep your pool attractive all summer long, companies like Pool Heating Ltd provide a variety of services including heat pump installation, gas solutions, and solar heating choices.

Conclusion:

Even though Wellington and Auckland have good summer temperatures, the ambient temperature may not always match the appropriate pool water temperature for swimming. This gap can be filled by purchasing appropriate pool heating equipment, which will guarantee a pleasurable swimming experience regardless of external temperature. This summer, you can make the most of your pool’s comfort by choosing the right heating option.

November 29 2018

Performance Heat Pump: Pool Heating Solutions in NZ

RANK Heating Solutions, Pool Heating

Having a swimming pool in your own home means you can enjoy a refreshing dip or a splash party any time you want. But that’s only during the warmer months. When the temperatures dip, that’s when you realize you need a pool heating system to extend your swim season. In fact, maintaining the ideal pool temperature is a must because it keeps harmful bacteria from growing in the water and prevents limescale buildup in your water filtration system.

As far as pool heating goes, there is one for every budget, lifestyle and location. Your three main choices are gas, solar and heat pumps.

Gas pool heaters are best if you use your pool occasionally, because it heats the water quickly up to 40^oC no matter how cold the weather is. These are a popular option in chilly and snowy areas. Solar pool heaters are also reliable and relatively low-cost, considering it has virtually no operating costs. Naturally, it’s the best option if you live in a location that receives lots of sunshine year-round like many parts in New Zealand. However, the high initial setup costs can be discouraging. Hence, many Kiwis prefer to use heat pumps which are a great heating method if you use your pool more often and live in warmer climates. They are reliable, highly efficient and generally more economical to run compared to gas and electric heaters.

Heat pump pool heaters

For optimum efficiency, a heat pump must be suitably located outdoors where it can receive a good air flow to operate and extract heat from. Minimum clearance requirements must also be followed to ensure the expelled air does not recirculate back into the unit, as this will cause a drop in efficiency. If the unit has horizontal fans, it must not sit too close to a wall or other obstruction. If the unit has vertical fans, there must be no roof, low hanging trees, etc. Below is an example of suboptimal location for a pool heat pump.

Long water pipes must also be avoided to ensure sufficient water flow rate through the heat pump.

Heat pump repair

Your heat pump will take some strain when heating your swimming pool season after season, so you can expect some problems to arise. Some of the common issues you might run into include:

Unit is running without heat output – Usually caused by obstructions around the unit or ambient temperatures below 50^o
Unit is taking too long to heat the pool water – The heat pump may not be sized properly or may be in bad condition.
Unit stopped running – There might be a problem with the circuit breaker, positioning of the valves or the thermostat setting.
Unit is leaking water – This may simply be condensation forming and dripping from th unit due to a clogged drain. .
Unit has poor water flow – Usually caused by debris blocking the filter, or the valves may be closed.

If all else fails or if some parts are broken, it’s best to call in professionals. This may also be the perfect time to upgrade your pool heating system to a performance heat pump.

Performance heat pumps

Because they rely on ambient temperature, traditional heat pumps tend to suffer a drop in efficiency when the weather gets colder. They are also susceptible to icing during winter season. This is where performance heat pumps enter.

This modern type of heat pump automatically maintains a set temperature in your swimming pool regardless of external weather conditions, which means they perform reliably all year-round – even in New Zealand’s harshest weather. It provides around 10kW of heat for every 2kW of electric input.

When sized properly, they also prove to be more energy efficient so you can enjoy a heated pool at an extremely low cost of operation.

Our performance heat pumps provide the best in terms of efficiency, cost and durability. If you look at its features, you’ll see why:

Heavy gauge galvanized steel cabinetry with polyester powder coat finish for superior corrosion protection
Epoxy-coated aluminium fins for extra rust resistance in coastal areas
Coil fins on rifled copper tubes ensure faster heat transfer
Built-in refrigeration safety switches
TX valve for more efficient low-ambient operation
Compressors with built-in internal and external overload
Electronic reverse cycle de-ice control
Ozone-friendly refrigerants
Electronic controller with digital display

Getting a new performance heat pump installed will cost you around NZD$12,000, including the removal of old units, modification of existing pipework, labour and Master Plumber guarantee. It’s a sizeable investment but the long-term savings are far greater. It’s typically more practical than repairing and dealing with an older, less efficient heat pump.

To get the best value, your performance heat pump must be properly sized and installed.

Here at Pool Heating NZ, you will be dealing with people who understand your needs and concerns as a pool owner. With energy efficiency and economy in mind, our solutions are designed and manufactured in New Zealand for New Zealand. Our partnership with reputable product providers and established industry organisations allow us to provide professionally engineered products that are fit for purpose, compliant with the Standards, and made to the highest quality.

Want to learn more about your pool heating options? Call us on 0800 POOLHEAT (766 543).

May 29 2017

Your Pool Heating Options

RANK Heating Solutions

Convincing yourself to get into your swimwear in the middle of winter to go for a swim when your pool is likely to be icy cold out in the elements is hard, if not impossible work. No one chooses to be cold and there is a certain comfort slipping into a temperately warm pool not matter what time of the year.

If you are looking at your pool heating options then now is a great time to do so in the weeks leading up to winter. If your pool usually sits cold and unloved in the winter months then why not consider how you can make the most of your pool all year round right now?

Researching the various types of pool heating available in New Zealand can lead you down many paths. How do you know what option is right for you?

No matter whether you are interested in gas heating, heat pump heating, solar or simply an insulated pool cover there are a series of factors that you need to be aware of.

Site Location
House Layout
Distance from gas, power or solar sources
The type of energy sources available in your area

Talking to our friendly team at Pool Heating Ltd can help you get a better idea of which heating options might be best suited for your pool.

A lot has to do with how you or your family use your pool. Consider whether you use your pool daily, weekly, monthly or just occasionally. Consider if you have many people use the pool at a time or just one or two. Consider what you can reasonably afford to spend on heating your pool. Often people shy away from considering heating their pools because they are afraid of how expensive it might be. Pool Heating Ltd can provide you with a breakdown of likely running costs for the options you consider so you can make the best choice for your pool.

The most popular ways of heating pools in New Zealand are by:

Electric Resistance Heaters

These use power to create heat. Unfortunately, they require large amounts of electricity and so they are best suited to heat small, portable spas and small therapy pools than family sized swimming pools. They are however:

Inexpensive to buy
Not affected by outside air temperatures
Environmentally friendly by not creating any emissions

Gas Heaters

Gas pool heaters have been the most widely-used swimming pool heaters for a long time. Whilst they remain popular, some of the other ways of heating pools are providing steady competition. Gas heaters are highly efficient at heating pools quickly.

Heat Pumps

There are two types of heat pumps pool heaters available – Air source and water source heat pumps. Both types use electricity to transfer heat to your swimming pool. Air-source heat pumps transfer heat from the air, and water-source (geothermal) heat pumps transfer heat from water. Because of their energy-efficiency, heat pumps have rapidly grown in popularity. Some of their other benefits are that they are:

Inexpensive to operate
Energy efficient with a COP of between 5 and 6
Water source heat pumps operate in any temperature
Long lasting with a lifespan of 10 to 20 years

Solar Heaters

Solar pool heaters use solar panels to transfer heat from the sun to your swimming pool. Because of solar heaters reliance on the sun, many swimming pool owners use auxiliary heaters during nights and cloudy days. Solar heaters have very long lifespans – averaging between 15 and 20 years and this makes them an attractive option for many people.

Pool Blankets

Pool covers minimize evaporation from both outdoor and indoor 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.

March 29 2017

Solar Pool Heating Vs. Heat Pump Pool Heating

RANK Heating Solutions

Of the four pool heating solutions available, there are two pool heating solutions that people normally decide between. Solar pool heating and heat pump pool heating. Both systems have their pros and cons, so what are the differences?

Solar Heating

A solar heating system has a higher priced initial out lay, however, this is offset by the free power you receive from the sun during its lifetime. Solar heating systems have very low maintenance needs, however, if a part does fail, you will need to use a solar specialist to fit the part and maintain the system. Solar parts generally cost more than heat pump parts, but their maintenance requirements are far less, so the annual cost is less than that of a heat pump heating system.

The other thing you must keep in mind with solar heating is you need the sun to generate the power. This means that during colder winter months, when there is more cloud cover, the sun is out for less hours of the day, and the heat from the sun is less, the energy produced via the solar panels will be significantly reduced. This is important to consider, as it is during the winter months that your pool will require more heating to keep it at your desired temperature. If you do not use your pool during winter, due to very cold outside temperatures, then this may not be an issue for you.

Heat Pump Heating

A pool Heat Pump has a lower cost for initial outlay and installation, however, there is an ongoing cost in running the pump, via either gas or electricity, to produce the energy required. What’s more, maintenance of the heat pump is ongoing and required annually. Although the parts for heat pumps are less than solar, there are more parts that may fail, and this will occur more often than on a solar heating system. Furthermore, unlike the solar system, there are far more people available who can work on the system.

To simply the above information, a solar system has a higher initial cost, but no energy costs and low annual maintenance costs, whereas a heat pump system has a lower initial cost, ongoing energy costs and higher annual maintenance costs.

Also, it is important to note that a both systems have an expected lifecycle of 10 – 20 years.

If you would like assistance in deciding what type of pool heating system best suits your requirements, please call us on 0800 766 543 today.