How to Heat an Above Ground Pool in Baton Rouge

Written by Big Easy Pool Designs

How Do You Heat an Above Ground Pool in Baton Rouge?

Quick Answer: Start with a solar or bubble cover to hold in the heat the sun already gives you, then add a heat source if you want more: solar collectors for the lowest running cost, or an electric heat pump for steadier control. In Baton Rouge, that combination can stretch an above-ground pool’s season into the cooler weeks of spring and fall.

Most families who ask us this want two things. They’d like the water comfortable in April and October, and they’d like it without a big power bill. The good news is that the first step is also the cheapest one.

Why Does a Pool Lose Heat, and What Stops It?

The DOE says evaporation is by far the largest source of energy loss in a swimming pool. Every bit of water that evaporates carries heat with it. Wind across the surface and dry air speed that up, and warm, humid air slows it down.

That’s why a cover comes first. According to the DOE, covering a pool when it isn’t in use is the single most effective way to reduce pool heating costs, and savings of 50% to 70% are possible. A cover also cuts the makeup water you add and keeps leaves out.

Which Cover Works Best?

The DOE lists the bubble cover, also sold as a solar cover, among the lowest-cost covers made for pools. Outdoor pools absorb most of the sun’s energy that hits the surface, and the agency notes that a transparent bubble cover reduces that solar absorption by only 5% to 15%, while a fully opaque cover reduces it by 20% to 40%. For a pool you’re trying to warm, a clear cover is usually the better pick.

The habit matters as much as the cover. Pull it off to swim and put it back on when you’re done, especially overnight, when the air cools the fastest.

Do Windbreaks Help?

They can. The DOE suggests a windbreak such as shrubs, trees or a fence to reduce evaporation, as long as it’s close enough and tall enough that it doesn’t stir up turbulence over the water. A privacy fence or a planted screen on the windward side can earn its keep.

How Does a Solar Pool Heater Work on an Above-Ground Pool?

A solar pool heating system uses a collector, the filter, the pump and a flow control valve. The DOE describes the setup this way: water is pumped through the filter and then through the solar collectors, where it’s heated before it returns to the pool.

For a pool used when temperatures are above freezing, the DOE says an unglazed collector system is usually enough, and unglazed collectors are usually less expensive than glazed ones. As a rule of thumb, the agency says collector surface area should equal 50% to 100% of the pool’s surface area. Panels can go on a sunny roof, a rack or a fence, as long as the pump can move water through them.

Solar works best on clear days, and it costs little to run once it’s in because it uses the pump you already have. It won’t hold a set temperature on a string of cloudy days, which is where a cover still does the heavy lifting.

Is a Heat Pump Worth It for an Above-Ground Pool?

A heat pump doesn’t burn fuel. Per the DOE, a fan draws in outside air and passes it over an evaporator coil, where refrigerant absorbs the heat and moves it into the pool water. Heat pump pool heaters work efficiently as long as the outside temperature stays above the 45 to 50 degree F range, and they get more efficient as the air gets warmer.

That makes them a good match for spring and fall swimming in the Baton Rouge area, and a poor tool for the coldest nights. A heat pump draws real electrical load, so it needs a properly sized circuit installed by a licensed electrician, and the unit needs a level pad near the pool with room for air to flow.

What About Smaller Add-Ons?

Floating solar rings and small plug-in heaters are sold for above-ground pools. They’re cheap, but on a pool of any size their effect is small next to a good cover. If you buy one, check that it’s rated for outdoor pool use and plug only into a protected outdoor outlet.

What Order Should Baton Rouge Owners Follow?

Here’s the order we suggest, from cheapest to most involved:

• Cover the pool whenever nobody’s swimming.
• Block the wind on the exposed side if your yard is open.
• Add solar collectors if you have a sunny spot near the pool.
• Add a heat pump if you want a set temperature in the shoulder seasons.

Keep testing the water as it warms up, because a warmer pool can change how fast you go through chlorine. Our guide to pool water chemistry in the Louisiana summer covers the basics. If the water level drops faster than you expect even with a cover, our post on telling a leak from evaporation can help.

Does Heating Change How You Plan the Pool?

It should. Solar panels need a sunny spot and a plumbing route, and a heat pump needs a pad, airflow and power close to the pool. If you’re still planning, our posts on what an above-ground pool costs, what to put under one and planning a deck around one help you lay out the yard with heating in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a black hose coil heat my pool?

It can warm a small amount of water on a sunny day, but it’s a weak heat source for a full-size pool. A cover does far more.

Can I leave the solar cover on all day?

Yes, a clear cover still lets most sunlight through. Take it off before anyone swims.

Is an above-ground pool right for my Baton Rouge yard?

Our above-ground pool page covers when it fits. If you’re leaning toward something permanent, see our inground pool page for Baton Rouge.

Plan Your Pool in Baton Rouge

We’ll look at sun, wind and power on your lot and help you plan a pool you can use for more of the year.

See custom pool design in Baton Rouge and our Baton Rouge service area, then request your free consultation or call (504) 688-4066.