Heated Pool 411: What Are the Pros and Cons?

Swimming pools are a refreshing escape from the summer heat. They’re the perfect backdrop for backyard barbeques and parties—that is until the temperature drops.
Want to extend the fun times of swimming pool season? You can, with a swimming pool heat pump! Here are the pros and cons to think about when considering a heated pool.
 

Health Benefits

What’s the point of having a pool if you never use it, or only use it three months out of the year? If your pool is heated, you’re more likely to swim in it, which means you’ll be getting exercise that you might not have gotten otherwise.
Swimming is considered the best form of cardiovascular exercise because it’s easy on your joints and is low-impact. It’s the perfect exercise for those unable to run or jog, or for those who have arthritis or muscular diseases.
Another benefit of a heated pool is the warm water won’t shock your system like icy cold water does. Cold water can cause excessive body heat loss. The young and elderly are prone to respiratory infections due to chilling, so heated pools are especially beneficial for them.
 

Extended Swimming Season

Heating your pool makes it an inviting place for friends and family year-round.
It gives people a reason to get together while giving you a higher return on your investment in the first place. If the pool is rarely used, it can seem like a waste of money. Not so if it’s a warm and comfortable place to be.
Many people like to heat the pool to 82 or 84 degrees, even in the summer months when the water might only get to 75 degrees.
All of that extra pool time is a great excuse to listen to music. And with a waterproof iPod from Underwater Audio, you don’t have to worry about it getting wet!
 

Take Cost Into Consideration

 
It all sounds great, but how much does it cost? The biggest investment on a heat pump is the initial cost.
Most pumps range from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on model and swimming pool size. There is also an installation coast for labor and parts.
Repair costs vary and can fall anywhere between $100 to $1,000. Just like a car, with regular maintenance, you can avoid costly repairs. Hire a licensed heat pump professional to perform an annual maintenance check for about $100.
Heat pumps are energy efficient and can cost as little as $2 per day to operate. A solar cover greatly reduces costs, which are between $100 to $400 per swimming season. Without the cover, expect to spend between $800 to $1,000. You can use a free heat pump operating cost estimator here.
The bottom line is if you think you’ll use your pool a lot more if it’s heated, the costs are totally worth it. But if you don’t, the cost just might not be worth it. The choice is up to you!