Nothing can beat a refreshing dip in a swimming pool, but here in the UK, you’re not going to want to take the plunge into unheated water. Finding ways to keep your swimming pool at a comfortable temperature can present a number of challenges, not least in terms of cost, but a swimming pool boiler is the best and most effective solution, especially in the cooler climate of the UK.
Although solar panels have become a popular choice around the globe, they’re still only really suited to hot climates. Hear pumps represent another option, but they take a considerable length of time to warm the water and they’re only suited to summer use since they require the air temperature to be relatively high.
With this in mind, a boiler is the perfect option for anyone in the UK who needs to find an efficient way to keep their pool water ready for swimming all year round.
Why Choose A Boiler To Heat Your Pool?
Boiler systems represent the top heating source for swimming pools in the United Kingdom. Thanks to their ability to heat a pool far more rapidly than a heat pump, they are the top selling option, and since they don’t rely on the air temperature they’re suitable for use throughout the year, even during the winter. As an added bonus, they’re less costly to purchase than heat pumps.
What You Need To Know About Pool Boilers
A swimming pool boiler creates heat by burning either oil or gas in a combustion chamber. The heat is transferred into water which is taken from the swimming pool before it pumps it back to the pool once more. The process looks like this:
- Water gets pumped out of the swimming pool.
- This cold water is passed through the filter.
- Oil or gas is burned within the combustion chamber.
- The heat from the combustion chamber gets passed to the cold water.
- The water is warmed up.
- The warm water is then returned back to the swimming pool.
This process repeats continually so there is an ongoing flow of heated water into the pool.
How Long Will It Take To Heat Up The Pool?
There is no single answer to the question of how long it takes for a swimming pool boiler to heat up a pool. The answer depends on how much water is being heated up, and how large the pool itself is. However, for the average-sized home pool in the UK, it will generally take one or two days for the water to reach a temperature that is comfortable enough to go swimming.
Can I Use A Domestic Boiler To Heat My Pool?
It’s possible to use a regular domestic boiler to heat up a swimming pool. However, you’ll also need to have a heat exchanger unit too. The boiler works by transferring to heat to the water in the pool via the specially designed heat exchanger unit. It’s important to note, though, that this isn’t the recommended way of heating up a pool.
Keeping Your Swimming Pool Boiler Running Effectively
There are a number of things that you can do as a swimming pool owner to keep your pool boiler running as efficiently as possible. You should:
- Regularly clean out the pool filter since the boiler will need water to flow steadily through the system in order to function properly.
- Ensure that the pool skimmer is unobstructed and clean at all times.
- Wash down the tanks to remove debris and guard against clogging of the burner openings.
- Ensure that there is no corrosion to the oil or gas pipework.
It goes without saying that your swimming pool boiler, like any other boiler, or, indeed, any other appliance, will require regular servicing to ensure it remains safe, efficient, and effective. Routine maintenance will ensure that any potential issues with the parts and components of your boiler are identified and rectified at an early stage before they cause a complete breakdown of the system.
You should arrange for your pool boiler to be serviced at least once per year, and you should ensure that all repairs and maintenance are done by fully qualified pool boiler engineers. This is the best way to make sure that your pool temperature remains at the optimal level for swimming, whatever the season.
It’s also the best way to prevent your pool boiler from experiencing a complete breakdown which could lead to costly repairs and, of course, an extended period when you cannot use your pool.
Here at Rowlen, we are experts in the field of swimming pool boiler maintenance and repairs. Get in touch with our fully qualified engineers today to arrange your annual pool boiler maintenance or to carry out repairs if you’re experiencing problems with your pool heating.
