A heated pool turns three months of swimming into most of the year. The two main options for Gauteng homes are solar heating and heat pumps, and the right choice depends on your roof, your budget, and how you like to use the pool.
Solar pool heating
Solar heating uses panels, usually on the roof, to warm water as the pump circulates it. It is the cheapest option to run because the sun does the work.
- Best for: homes with good roof space and sun exposure.
- Running cost: very low, essentially just the pump.
- Trade-off: heat depends on the weather, so a run of cold, cloudy days limits it.
Heat pumps
A heat pump works like a reverse air conditioner, extracting warmth from the air to heat the water on demand.
- Best for: consistent, controllable heat regardless of the weather.
- Running cost: uses electricity, but efficiently, far more heat out than power in.
- Trade-off: higher upfront cost than solar.
Which should you choose?
If you have the roof space and mainly want to extend the season affordably, solar is hard to beat. If you want the pool at a reliable temperature whenever you fancy a swim, a heat pump gives you that control. Some homes use both. A pool cover, in either case, dramatically cuts heat loss overnight and is the best-value add-on you can make.
Not sure which suits your pool? See our pool heating service and we'll help you size the right system, get in touch.