Extend Your Swimming Season with Pool Heating Solutions

Swim Year-Round in Perth

Perth enjoys one of the mildest climates in Australia, with warm summers and mild winters. Yet despite this enviable weather, most unheated pools in Perth become too cold for comfortable swimming from May through September. Pool water temperatures can drop to 15 degrees Celsius or lower during winter — well below the 26 to 28 degree range that most people find comfortable.

Pool heating solves this problem, transforming your pool from a seasonal asset into a year-round feature of your home. Whether you swim for fitness, relaxation, or family fun, maintaining a comfortable water temperature means you can use your pool every day of the year instead of only five or six months.

Pool Heating Options for Perth Homes

We install and service three main types of pool heating systems. Each has distinct advantages, and the right choice depends on your pool size, budget, usage patterns, and property layout.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are the most popular pool heating choice in Perth, and for good reason. They work by extracting heat from the surrounding air and transferring it to the pool water — essentially running like a reverse-cycle air conditioner. Because they move heat rather than generate it, heat pumps are remarkably efficient. For every kilowatt of electricity consumed, a heat pump typically produces four to six kilowatts of heat.

Advantages for Perth pools:

• Perth’s mild winter temperatures (rarely below 10 degrees overnight) mean heat pumps operate efficiently year-round
• Running costs of approximately $2 to $5 per day during the cooler months
• Can heat pools of any size with the appropriately rated unit
• Compact footprint — units sit beside the pool equipment pad
• Long lifespan of 10 to 15 years with proper maintenance

Best brands we install: Madimack, Astral Pool, Pentair, and Zodiac heat pumps are all popular choices for Perth conditions. We help you select the correct capacity for your pool volume and target temperature.

Solar Pool Heating

Solar pool heating harnesses Perth’s abundant sunshine to warm your pool water. Panels or strip matting are installed on your roof — typically a north-facing section for maximum sun exposure — and pool water is circulated through the panels where it absorbs heat before returning to the pool.

Advantages for Perth pools:

• Lowest running costs of any heating method — essentially free once installed
• Perth receives an average of 8 hours of sunshine per day, making solar heating highly effective
• No greenhouse gas emissions during operation
• Systems can last 15 to 20 years with minimal maintenance
• Can raise pool temperature by 8 to 12 degrees during sunny months

Considerations:

• Requires suitable roof space (typically 80 to 100 percent of the pool surface area)
• Less effective during Perth’s winter months (June to August) when daylight hours are shorter
• Heating is dependent on weather — cloudy days reduce output
• Many homeowners pair solar with a heat pump for reliable year-round heating

Gas Pool Heaters

Gas heaters use natural gas or LPG to heat pool water quickly and powerfully. They are the fastest heating option — capable of raising water temperature by several degrees per hour — making them ideal for pools that are heated on demand rather than continuously.

Advantages:

• Fastest heating speed — ideal for pools used infrequently
• Effective in any weather or temperature conditions
• Compact installation
• Lower upfront cost than solar in some cases

Considerations:

• Highest running costs of the three options
• Requires natural gas connection or LPG supply
• Higher carbon emissions than heat pumps or solar
• Best suited for spa pools or for occasional rapid heating of a swimming pool

Choosing the Right System for Your Pool

The right heating system depends on several factors specific to your property and usage habits. During our site assessment, we evaluate:

• Pool volume: Larger pools require more heating capacity and benefit from the efficiency of heat pumps or the scalability of solar panels
• Roof orientation and space: North-facing roof sections with clear sun exposure are ideal for solar. Properties with limited or shaded roof space may be better suited to a heat pump
• Usage frequency: Daily swimmers benefit from the steady, economical heating of a heat pump or solar system. Occasional users may prefer the rapid on-demand heating of a gas system
• Budget: We provide clear comparisons of upfront cost versus running costs over five and ten year periods so you can make an informed decision

The Importance of a Pool Cover

Regardless of which heating system you choose, a quality pool cover is the single most effective way to retain heat and reduce running costs. Up to 70 percent of pool heat loss occurs through evaporation from the water surface. A pool blanket or liquid solar cover dramatically reduces this loss, allowing your heating system to work less while maintaining a higher water temperature.

For Perth homeowners, a pool cover also reduces water evaporation — saving water in a city where water conservation is important — and keeps leaves and debris out of the pool, reducing cleaning time and chemical usage.

Pricing for Pool Heating Installation

Our pool heating systems are priced from $2,500 to $8,000 installed, depending on the type of system, pool size, and installation complexity.

• Heat pumps: From $3,500 installed for a standard residential pool
• Solar pool heating: From $2,500 installed, depending on roof area and panel type
• Gas heaters: From $2,800 installed with existing gas connection

We provide detailed written quotes after our site assessment, including estimated running costs so you can compare the total cost of ownership over the system’s lifespan.

Service and Maintenance

We also service and maintain existing pool heating systems. Regular maintenance extends the life of your system and ensures it operates at peak efficiency. Heat pumps benefit from annual condenser coil cleaning, refrigerant checks, and performance verification. Solar panels should be inspected for leaks, blockages, and mounting integrity. Gas heaters need annual burner inspection and safety checks.

We service pools and pool heating systems across Perth, including Mount Claremont, Nedlands, Dalkeith, Claremont, Cottesloe, Subiaco, Scarborough, Joondalup, and all surrounding suburbs. Contact us today to discuss your pool heating options and start swimming year-round.