Not only will it be tough to keep the heat in your pool on colder nights but you will also spend a fortune trying to heat your swimming pool. So unless you have money to burn, it's best not to run your heater at night on an uncovered swimming pool.
No, you shouldn't leave your pool heater running all the time. Not only will it increase your electricity bill, but it will put unnecessary stress on your pool heater. Instead, you should run your pool heater to cycle when necessary during the day. That way, your pool will be warm throughout the day and night.
It is better not to have your pool heat pump set to run at night. If you do, then you will be throwing money down the drain. Instead, have your heat pump start in the early morning [for early swims] and let it cycle throughout the day.
Since you lose more heat energy from a hot pool than from a cool pool, the most efficient thing you can do is keep the temperature as low as possible for as long as possible. The most energy efficient thing to do is always to turn off the heater.
We have found that turning the heater off at night allows the water to cool rapidly. The heater then has to burn at a higher rate in the morning to make up the lost heat. The higher you turn the burner the lower the heating efficiency and the greater the heat loss from the exhaust gases.
According to the World Health Organization, water temperatures ranging from 78 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit are generally comfortable and safe for those engaging in moderate physical activity in a pool.
It depends on a few things to determine how long it takes a heat pump to heat a pool. However, overall a heat pump generally heats a pool after 24 to 72 hours by 20-degrees Fahrenheit. For smaller pools like a spa pool, the heat pump can heat a pool between 45 and 60 minutes.
DON'T leave your heat pump running all day
Instead, make the most of your heat pump's timer. In winter, set your heat pump to turn on before you get up in the morning, so your kitchen is toasty and warm come breakfast time. Then, set it to come on just before you get home in the evening.
Night Air is Cooler
Sometime, the air temperature will drop even lower than the pool water. Since the pool water temperature will not change that much within one or two hours, the cooler air makes the water feel warmer than it was previously.
In outdoor temperatures above 30 degrees, the heat pump should cycle off and on as a normal furnace. Somewhere between 20 and 30 degrees outdoor temperature, the heat pump for your home will reach a “balance point” where the heat needed by the home is equal to the heat moved by the heat pump.
Typically, a heat pump should cycle two to three times an hour. The heat pump should stay on for 10 to 20 minutes during the cycle. However, during cold outside temperatures (below 30-40 degrees), a heat pump will constantly run to maintain the home temperature.
Ideal Winter Heat Pump Temperature Settings
According to the Department of Energy, 68°F is the sweet spot that balances comfort and energy efficiency during the fall and winter months. When your home is occupied and when family members are awake, a heat pump setting of 68°F keeps the living areas reasonably warm.
Heat pump pool heaters cost more than gas pool heaters, but they typically have much lower annual operating costs because of their higher efficiencies. With proper maintenance, heat pump pool heaters typically last longer than gas pool heaters. Therefore, you'll save more money in the long run.
When the temperature outside reaches about 50°F (10°C), the refrigerant inside the unit is already approaching freezing temperatures. This can cause ice to form, clogging the heat pump and preventing it from running. Check the outside temperature. If it's 50°F (10°C) or lower, it's time to turn the pool heat pump off.
A pool that is uncovered can lose up to 5 degrees F overnight; a good cover can cut that loss by half. Used at night or whenever your pool is not in use, the pool cover can help save fuel costs by cutting heat loss regardless of the type of heating you utilize.
No matter where you're swimming, avoiding water below 70 degrees Fahrenheit is a good rule of thumb for the average swimmer. The truth of the matter, though, is that 70 degrees is still pretty chilly. You'll probably have a better time if you wait for warmer water. In fact, you'll be safer, too.
Higher temperatures are therapeutic
While pools should be never above 95 degrees, anywhere in the 90-92 degree range creates a comfortable, yet therapeutically warm environment for older swimmers or infants and toddlers learning how to swim.
The fastest way to heat your pool is to use a gas pool heater and a solar cover. It's like heating up your coffee in the microwave and putting a lid on it. No matter how you plan to heat your pool, you should at least have a solar cover (or liquid solar cover) to help you retain the heat.
In general, you shouldn't leave a heat pump on all night
(Compared to an electric furnace, a heat pump is a huge money-saver.) However, this efficiency leads to the misunderstanding that it's more efficient to keep them operating all through the night.
If you have a heating system that runs 24/7 and it isn't overheating your house, chances are you have a heat pump. Those without heat pumps, however, should not run continuously unless your area is experiencing extremely cold and windy winter weather.
use "AUTO" mode. It's natural to think "AUTO" mode would be a more efficient setting. But if you use it, your unit runs the risk of toggling unnecessarily between heating and cooling. Your heat pump will run most efficiently when set to "HEAT" in winter and "COOL" in summer.
When a heat pump short cycles, your unit cannot maintain the desired temperature in either heating or cooling mode, so it turns on and off constantly.
A heat pump can warm and cool your home if you live in a moderate climate. During winter months, when temperatures are below 40 degrees, a heat pump will constantly run to keep temperatures indoors comfortable. It is not necessary to keep your heat pump running on cool continuously during the summer.
That said, experts recommend turning on the heat when the indoor temperature is below 64 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have children, seniors, or people who are sick that threshold might need to be a bit higher.