One of the biggest questions we’re asked is:
“What’s the best way to heat my swimming pool?”
The honest answer is—it depends on how you plan to use your pool.
Before choosing a heating system, think about how often you’ll swim, what water temperature you’d like to maintain, and how much you’re comfortable spending to operate it. Every heating option has its advantages, and the best choice is the one that complements your lifestyle.
It’s also worth remembering that heating isn’t just about making the water warmer—it’s about getting more enjoyment from your investment. The right heating system can dramatically increase how often you use your pool. Many homeowners find that heating almost doubles their swimming season, turning the pool from something that’s only enjoyed on hot summer days into a feature the whole family uses for much more of the year.
Solar Pool Heating
Traditional solar pool heating uses a network of rubber or polymer collector panels installed on the roof of your home or shed. Pool water is circulated through these panels, where it’s warmed by the sun before returning to the pool.
Solar heating is one of the most economical ways to gently warm your pool because it relies on free energy from the sun. However, it also means the system is entirely weather dependent. Rather than maintaining a precise temperature or significantly extending your swimming season, solar heating simply helps lift the water temperature enough to make swimming more comfortable during the warmer months.
One challenge we see today is the competition for roof space. Many homes now have rooftop solar electricity systems, leaving limited room for dedicated solar pool heating panels.
Solar heating is best suited to:
- Homeowners looking for the lowest ongoing running costs.
- Families who mainly swim throughout the warmer months.
- Homes with plenty of available roof space.
Heat Pump Heating
Heat pumps have become the most popular pool heating option in Newcastle, and for good reason.
A heat pump works much like a reverse-cycle air conditioner. It extracts warmth from the surrounding air and transfers that energy into your pool water. Once you set your desired water temperature, the system automatically switches on and off to maintain it.
When combined with a quality pool blanket, a heat pump can comfortably extend your swimming season while keeping operating costs surprisingly affordable.
If your home already has rooftop solar electricity, the benefits are even greater. Many homeowners run their heat pump during the day using power generated by their solar system, significantly reducing the cost of heating their pool.
For most Australian families, a heat pump offers the best balance of comfort, convenience and efficiency.
Heat pumps are best suited to:
- Homeowners wanting a consistent swimming temperature.
- Families who use their pool regularly.
- Homes with rooftop solar.
- Anyone wanting to maximise pool use without excessive running costs.
Gas Heating
If heat pumps are all about efficiency, gas heating is all about speed.
Rather than gradually warming the water over several days, a gas heater can raise your pool’s temperature within hours. That’s why gas heating is particularly popular for homeowners who only heat their pool occasionally, such as for entertaining, special events, or weekend gatherings.
The trade-off is operating cost. Gas is generally the most expensive heating method to run over long periods, making it better suited to smaller bodies of water such as plunge pools and spas, or for occasional use rather than everyday heating.
Think of gas heating as “hot and fast.”
Gas heating is best suited to:
- Spas and plunge pools.
- Homeowners who entertain occasionally.
- Those wanting rapid heating rather than maintaining a constant temperature.
What About Running Costs?
Running costs are an important part of choosing the right heating system.
As a general guide:
- Solar heating has the lowest running costs but offers the least temperature control.
- Heat pumps provide the best balance of comfort, efficiency and affordability for most Australian households.
- Gas heating has the highest running costs but delivers the fastest heating performance.
Regardless of which heating system you choose, we strongly recommend investing in a quality pool blanket. Most heat is lost overnight through evaporation, and a blanket dramatically reduces that heat loss, allowing any heating system to operate more efficiently while lowering running costs.
Plan Ahead – Even If You’re Not Ready to Heat Your Pool
One of the biggest mistakes we see isn’t choosing the wrong heating system—it’s not planning for heating at all.
If your budget doesn’t allow for a heater immediately, we recommend installing heating provisions during construction. This simply means the plumbing is configured so a heater can be added later without needing to modify your pool’s circulation system.
It’s also important to leave enough room around your filtration equipment. Heat pumps require adequate airflow and manufacturer-recommended clearances, while both heat pumps and gas heaters need the appropriate electrical or gas services available when they’re eventually installed.
The good news is that retrofitting a heater later usually doesn’t cost significantly more than installing one during construction, provided your pool has been designed with heating in mind from the beginning.
Planning ahead gives you flexibility. You can enjoy your new pool now and add heating whenever the time is right, without unnecessary complications.
Our Expert Recommendation
For most modern Australian homes, we recommend a heat pump paired with a quality pool blanket.
This combination delivers consistent swimming temperatures, works exceptionally well alongside rooftop solar, requires very little day-to-day management, and offers the best overall balance between comfort, performance and running costs.
That said, there’s no single solution that’s right for everyone. If you only heat your pool for special occasions—or you’re heating a spa or plunge pool—gas may be the better choice. If keeping operating costs to an absolute minimum is your priority and you have ample roof space, traditional solar heating still has an important place.
Ultimately, the best heating system isn’t necessarily the most expensive or the most powerful. It’s the one that suits the way you and your family will actually use your pool. Choosing the right system from the beginning means you’ll spend less time thinking about your heater—and far more time enjoying your pool.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the swimming season in Newcastle without pool heating?
Without heating, most Newcastle pools are comfortably swimmable from mid-November to mid-March — around 4 months. Add solar and you’ll get 4–6 extra weeks either side. A heat pump extends the season to 8–10 months. Sheltered coastal blocks in Merewether and Redhead warm up faster than exposed rural sites in the Upper Hunter.
What's cheapest to run — solar, heat pump, or gas?
Solar is cheapest by a long way — running costs are close to zero once the panels are paid off. A heat pump typically runs at $3–$8 a day depending on target temperature and whether you use a pool cover. Gas is fastest to heat but most expensive to run, generally $15–$40 per swim. For Hunter-region climates, heat pumps hit the best balance of speed and running cost.
Is solar pool heating enough on its own in the Hunter Valley?
Solar works brilliantly for spring and autumn extension in Cessnock, Maitland and Singleton — you’ll add 6–8 weeks either side of summer. Through the coldest weeks in July and August it won’t hit comfortable temperatures unassisted, so many Upper Hunter families pair solar with a heat pump for year-round swimming.
How noisy is a pool heat pump and where can I put it?
Modern inverter-driven heat pumps run at around 45–55 dB — about the volume of a dishwasher. They need airflow so they can’t be boxed in tightly. On typical Charlestown or Warners Bay blocks we position them 2–3m from the equipment pad, screened but not enclosed, and away from bedroom windows.
Do I need a pool cover if I have pool heating?
Yes — a cover doubles the effectiveness of any heating system. Uncovered pools lose 60–70% of their heat overnight through evaporation. If you’re investing in heating, budget for a thermal blanket at the same time. The payback in reduced running costs is usually 1–2 seasons.
Can I retrofit pool heating to my existing pool?
Absolutely. Retrofit solar, heat pumps and gas heaters all connect through the existing pool plumbing. Most retrofits take a single day. We do a lot of retrofit heat pump installs across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie for pools that were originally installed without heating.
Does a heated pool cost more to insure or attract higher Council rates?
No — pool heating doesn’t affect Council rates or your home insurance premium. It uses more electricity or gas, but there’s no separate charge or permit required for heating a domestic pool anywhere in the Hunter region.
What temperature should I set my pool to?
Most families settle at 28–29°C for general use, and 30–32°C for young kids or year-round swimming. Above 32°C and running costs jump sharply. In cooler months, most Hunter families keep the pool at 27°C during weekdays and warm it up to 29–30°C on weekends.