Heating your swimming pool can be the difference between enjoying using it on a regular basis and avoiding it at all costs! However, keeping your pool warm can be a headache, especially when it comes to paying your energy bills! To get an idea of how much you will be spending on heating your pool this year, it is important to understand how many kilowatts it will take to warm your pool effectively. Check out our guide to find out more!
What is a Kilowatt?
A kilowatt is a unit of energy that is used to count electricity. This means that everything that runs off electricity in your home will be measured in kilowatts and your energy bill will be based on how many kilowatts you have used x by the price per kilowatt unit.
Kilowatts are used instead of watts as each appliance will use a large number of watts to work, making it easier to measure in kilowatts than watts. When you look at your energy bill you will find that you are billed in Kilowatt hours, meaning that you will need to use the calculation provided on your bills to convert your kWh into kilowatt usage and vice versa.
How Many Kilowatts Does My Pool Need?
Working out the number of kilowatts that your pool needs is wholly dependent on the volume of your pool and the surface area that is exposed to the air. Another important factor includes the size and effectiveness of your pool heater as if you have one that is too small, you could be heating your pool for longer without the results you are looking for.
Take a look at the table below to get an idea of the amount of kWh you will need to power your pool to the right temperature:
| Pool Size | kWh Required |
| 12 foot pool | 9.3 – 10 kWh |
| 18 foot pool | 29 – 30 kWh |
| 12 x 24 foot pool | 46 – 47 kWh |
| 20 x 40 pool | 115 – 117 kWh |
Do I Have the Right Pool Heater?
Whether you have a gas boiler, oil heater, air source heat pump or a different heating product, you will need to ensure that it is the right size to heat your pool. The size of your pool will be measured in gallons and you can then use this measurement to help you find the best heater size for your needs. Remember that different pool shapes and sizes will need different heating levels – speak to an expert to get advice on your specific pool.
Take a look at the table below to get an idea of the heater you will need for the gallon capacity of your pool:
| Gallon Capacity | Heater Required |
| Up to 10,000 | 9 – 14W |
| 10,000 – 14,000 | 14- 29W |
| 14,000 and above | 29W + |
Getting the Best Heating System for Your Pool
If you are keen to invest in a new heating system for your pool then speaking to a pool heating expert will help. From helping you to understand how many kilowatts you will need to heat your pool to helping you choose a new heating system, you can be more confident when you trust a pool expert.
At Rowlen, we have years of experience in supporting customers with swimming pools and are on hand and ready to provide you with the advice you need today. Connect with us today and get the answers and quotes you need – we can’t wait to help!
