Brrrrr! It’s almost winter. You’re getting colder. The last thing you want to do most days, and nights, is jump in the pool. So, unless you’re a hypothermia-loving Arctic diver, chances are you want to stay dry and warm.

Newsflash! Now you can swim all year around.

All you need to do is make the water inviting. With our look at heated pools, we’ll give you some great ways to do that. 

What’s more, swimming in warm water has been proven to boost health, as it improves the body’s overall functioning. It’s a great way to soothe spinal and back injuries, and it also helps manage chronic illnesses, like arthritic pain. Plus it’s a great way to spend downtime, enjoying life in warm and sparkling water!

So, let’s jump in – and give you some pointers to swimming all year round.

Outdoors? Add a pool heater.

Just like indoors over the colder months, turning on the heater outdoors is great for your pool too. You have several types from which to choose. 

• Solar heaters

These are the most environmentally friendly ways to heat your pool. After all, May is Saving Energy month, and looking after our planet is top of most people’s minds. You’ll also be pleased to know that once installed, solar heaters cost almost nothing to run.

Bear in mind that there needs to be plenty of direct sun each day for solar heaters to work correctly. People mostly choose to install solar panels on the roof of their home, but any other sturdy structure in full sun works just as well. 

The science is pretty simple. The water from your pool is filtered and pushed through your solar panels during daylight hours via the pump you use in your pool. It’s continuously heated and returned to your pool, thus raising water temperature to a comfortable level.

Remember though that, while you will save money in the long run, solar power requires a higher initial investment. However, making your home solar-powered will increase the value of your property. Now, that’s a win. 

• Electric heaters

Electricity has come a long way since Benjamin Franklin tied a key to a kite in a lightning-filled storm. Nowadays, electricity is easy to use, and Eskom-aside, relatively reliable.

Electric pool heat pumps work much the same way as solar ones. They suck up water, but instead of using the sun, they use electricity to heat it. 

The advantages are that you have greater control over water temperature, as electricity isn’t affected by sunless nights and overcast days. They also heat your pool quicker and more effectively, and they are relatively inexpensive to run. 

On the downside, they aren’t as environmentally-friendly as solar, and, as all long-suffering South Africans know, there’s loadshedding.

The good news for either choice of power (solar or electricity) is that pool heat pumps last long, with an average lifespan of between 10 and 15 years. Remember, however, that it is essential to maintain and clean your heater properly and regularly. So, follow the manufacturer’s directions on this one.

A less common, yet equally effective option in heating pool water, is to consider adding a spa to your full-sized pool. The spa will share the plumbing and filtration with the pool, so you should be looking at a significant saving compared to what you would pay for a standalone installation. 

Plus, who can say no to a spa? Few people that we know!

Now let’s look at your indoor options.

Luxurious design and year-round convenience mean indoor pools are increasingly popular. With this route, you’ll obviously either have bought a house with one already installed, or you can build a home extension to accommodate the pool, or you can convert an existing room into a pool room.

Whatever you choose, you’ll need deep pockets. Having said that, just like installing solar heating, an indoor pool will add to the value of your property.

Indoor pools also guarantee perfect swimming conditions year-round. So, hey, it’s the 365-day pool party you’ve always wanted!

Like everything in life, indoor pools have their ups and downs.

On the rosy side, as we said, you’re good for year-round swimming. There’s also less maintenance as outdoor debris does not get in the pool. And an indoor pool uses less chemicals as sunlight does not decrease chlorine and sanitizer levels.

On the flipside, you’re in for substantially higher construction costs (if you’re building your own) or a higher house price if you’re buying a home with an indoor pool of its own. You’re also looking at a higher energy cost as heating both the air space and the pool water is now necessary. And there’s also no direct sunlight for sunbathing, unless you add a retractable roof, which means you’re a multi-millionaire, so you may just as well fly north for summer when it gets too cold down south.

There you have it, whoever you are – swimming, and loving the warm water, all year round!