shutterstock_289007174Having a pool is a rewarding yet expensive endeavor. If you are someone who has a pool in your yard, you are likely painfully aware of this fact. Whether it’s cleaning, maintaining or repairing any damages that come up, keeping your pool in working order is not an easy feat. With all this work involved, it’s no wonder that people prefer a pool that can be used for most of the year rather than exclusively during the summer months.

However, many people are concerned about the additional costs associated with having a heated pool. Won’t it make their energy bill skyrocket? It certainly could, but heating the pool with solar energy can be a helpful solution -- not only on your monthly bill but also for your environmental footprint.

How does a solar heater work? A pump used within your pool circulates the water and diverts the cold water through the solar collectors. The water is heated up and pumped back into the larger pool. The temperature of the water is monitored by an automatic control valve -- this valve can tell when the water is already at the preferred temperature. It then can pump heated or unheated water back into the pool. How much does a solar heater cost? Many people are concerned about the cost of having a solar heater -- after all, it sounds like a luxury only the rich can afford. Luckily, a gas heater and a solar heat pump are the same cost. Plus, with solar, after installation, you don’t pay any more.  For this reason, having a solar heater is far cheaper than using a gas heater (which requires fuel and therefore continual expense). Solar pool heaters are a great choice for everyone! Do I really need a heated pool? Of course, it’s possible that a heated pool simply isn’t the right choice for you and your family. However, keep in mind that you have already decided to have a pool to begin with -- and that is already a huge commitment in terms of maintenance and cost. For that reason, it’s important to think about how you can get the most out of your pool. Do you really only want to use it during the warmest months of the year? Or would you like to get 8 months of use out of it? If the latter applies, you are going to want to heat your pool.

Whether or not you think you can handle swimming in a cold pool, the fact of the matter is simply that you probably won’t do it as often if it’s an unpleasant experience. Therefore, if you would like to get the most bang for your buck, it’s likely time to check into pool heating systems. Since solar heating systems cost the same as many other systems, it’s the most cost-effective choice out there -- not to mention the most sustainable.