Pierfrancesco Fagiani
Pool Specialist Consultant

How it is obtained and how much it costs

One of the main concerns of those who buy the pool is that they can use it only a few months a year.

Meanwhile, I would like to point out that three months a year are NOT few, considering that a holiday lasts on average two weeks!

However, it is still possible to take advantage of the pool for longer thanks to the precautions that allow you to have hot water even in the intermediate months (and in some cases even in Winter).

Let's start by saying that the important factors that influence the water temperature are three:

  1. THE SUN: the pool must be in fact well sun-drenched and possibly positioned in a sheltered spot by the winds. Shaded areas are not suitable for building a swimming pool, especially in the afternoon.
     
  2. ISOTHERMAL / SUMMER COVERING: it is necessary to use this cover, which is very important for keeping the water temperature warm, limiting the effects of nighttime temperature (water evaporation).
     
  3. AN EXTERNAL HEATING SOURCE: ie the use of a heat pump or other element external to the pool that allows to heat the water and keep it at room temperature.


WE ITALIANS LOVE HOT WATER!

That's it! From our experience I can say that we Italians love hot water in the pool and that our ideal temperature is usually 28/29 degrees.

It seems that for us "italianozzi", a temperature of 24-26 degrees is already too fresh and usually discourages the use of the pool, especially in the morning.

On the contrary, for the populations coming from Northern Europe it is exactly the opposite, so much so that they often ask for a cooler temperature supplied with the use of a cooling pump that keeps the water below 25 degrees.


HOW TO HEAT A POOL

How then to heat the pool water just as we like it, people caliente?

There are two main methods for heating the water of a swimming pool: the electric heat exchanger, to be connected to the boiler, and the heat pump.

THE HEAT PUMP has a higher initial cost, but then has lower maintenance costs and a lower consumption compared to the electric heat exchanger.

THE ELECTRIC EXCHANGER instead offers the possibility to use a dedicated boiler (or the home boiler if this is suitable) to heat the pool and therefore has a minimum initial cost, but then over time the consumption is very high (2 or 3 times more high compared to the heat pump).

So our advice is certainly to use a heat pump.

 

THE HEAT PUMP

There are various types: simple models and inverter models that allow even greater electrical savings.

The heat pump can be placed outside the technical room (but in its proximity) on a suitable platform or inside the room with a special outlet for the air.

Currently, heat pumps lined with bodies and aesthetically more attractive that can be placed next to the pool are also available on the market.
 

 

 

Thanks to the heat pump the pool can be used from May to September without problems. And if the season allows it even longer. By setting the desired temperature (for example 28 degrees) the pump will ensure that the water always remains at the same thermal level: morning, afternoon or evening. When the water rises above the desired temperature, the pump switches off and vice versa, when it goes down below it switches on again.

 

AND THE PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS?

Someone would like to use the photovoltaic panels thinking that they can amortize the cost of consumption of the heat pump.

The thing is partially true.

In fact, the heat pump often turns on at night, so just when the solar panel no longer has energy, or when it is cloudy, that is when the solar panel works less.

However, with some precautions you could make sure that the pump works mainly during the day and therefore bring the customer to save a total of total consumption.

 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WARM A POOL TO TEMPERATURE?

Let's say that in May, to bring a temperature pool from 15 degrees to 28, it takes from 100 to 150 hours (about 5/6 days).

In this case, if one has photovoltaic panels, a part of the consumption is absorbed by these since the pump works continuously day and night.

 

CONSUMPTION AND COST OF THE HEAT PUMP

The consumption of the heat pump is STRICTLY connected to the use of the summer cover.

This is so true that if you do not use it you spend twice as much in terms of daily consumption.

In addition, if you do not use the cover, the initial costs of the heat pump are even greater as you should install a more powerful heat pump to make sure that the water remains at temperature.

We talked about the coverage in another article of our blog that I advise you to read as I explain in detail every type of coverage and what features and functions it offers.

I pause for a moment on the TELESCOPIC COVER, thanks to which the heated pool can be used all year round, even in Winter. The customers who have it are enthusiastic for this reason! However, it should be noted that in this case you need to buy a heat pump that is able to withstand even temperatures of less than 5-10 degrees and that it is also necessary to heat the surrounding environment with convectors or another system to avoid a thermal shock too high when leaving the pool.

The pool color of the pool also makes a small difference in the heat of the water, as the pools with dark cloth (gray or black) have one or two degrees more than those with light cloth.

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Going to the point, let's say that the consumption of the heat pump depends on several factors: isothermal coverage (as explained above), altitude, size, geographical position, type (skimmer or overflow), exposure to winds, season and type of heat pump (with or without inverter).


To give a general idea about the approximate daily electric cost, here is an indicative table that you can use (prices include VAT):

8 x 4 = € 1.90 / 2.70

10 x 5 = € 3.00 / 4.00

12 x 6 = € 4.50 / 5.20

14 x 7 = € 6.00 / 7.70

 

The heat pump itself has more or less the following costs (including VAT and installation included):

8 x 4 = € 3,600 / 6,000

10 x 5 = € 4,300 / 6,000

12 x 6 = € 6,100 / 7,300

14 x 7 = € 7.900 / 12.800

 

I remind you that in our exclusive consultancy Pool Professional Consulting © you will be given a table with the precise calculation of consumption that would have your pool to have hot water in all seasons you prefer.

Remember that for my consulting it is necessary to make an appointment.

And that may the force (of the real specialists) be with you!