How to heat a garden pool so you can enjoy bathing not only on the warmest days? In Wooden Pools wooden pools you can choose to heat the water with a wood fired heater or a pool heat pump, while properly selected insulation and a pool cover help to maintain the water temperature for longer. This way the bathing season can be extended to around 7-8 months a year.

How to heat water in a garden pool?

Heating the water in a Wooden Pools garden pool is done in three ways: with an integrated wood fired heater, a 6 kW ON/OFF heat pump or a 9 kW inverter heat pump. In the Standard and Thermo pools you choose the heating system as an optional extra, while in the Premium SPA models the 9 kW inverter heat pump is included as standard.

The models available in the range can be equipped with a water heating system, which opens up new possibilities for using the pool outside the typical summer season. In the Standard and Thermo pools you can use an electric pool heat pump or an integrated wood fired heater, and then add the selected equipment, such as heating, cover, lighting, water treatment system or counter current, in the configurator on the product page.

For example, the wooden pool 480-240 – Standard can be configured as a heated garden pool with a wood fired heater or a pool heat pump. In this model you can choose to heat the water with a wood fired heater or a heat pump, allowing you to extend the bathing season to around 7-8 months a year.

  • Integrated wood fired heater – available for Standard and Thermo pools.
  • ON/OFF heat pump 6 kW – available for Standard and Thermo pools.
  • Inverter heat pump 9 kW – available for Standard and Thermo pools, and included as standard equipment in the Premium SPA series.

In the Premium SPA models, such as the counter current pool 485-235 – Premium SPA, the equipment includes a 9 kW inverter heat pump, filtration, LED lighting and a water treatment system.

Wood fired heater or heat pump – which to choose?

A wood fired pool heater will suit those who prefer a traditional way of heating and have access to firewood, whereas a pool heat pump is better for regular use when automation and a more stable water temperature are important. Both systems are available in the configurator for the Standard and Thermo pools, and the 9 kW inverter pump is also an option you can select there.

Rectangular wooden pool with wood-fired heater, on concrete pad near wooden shed in garden

The integrated wood fired heater is permanently connected to the pool structure, which makes installation and operation easier compared to stand-alone heaters placed next to the pool shell. In versions with a heat pump, heating is electric and the operation of the unit can be linked to filtration and everyday pool use. The choice between a heater and a heat pump depends mainly on the preferred way of operating the system and the available energy sources.

Solution Energy source Operation
Integrated wood fired heater wood manual lighting, adding firewood, monitoring the firebox
ON/OFF heat pump 6 kW electricity electric control, on/off operating mode
Inverter heat pump 9 kW electricity smooth compressor operation, ability to maintain a more stable temperature

A wood fired heater will be an alternative for people who want to use a more traditional way of heating and do not want to rely solely on electricity. A pool heat pump is a convenient solution for regular use, as it allows you to automate the heating and maintain a more stable temperature.

If a classic wooden pool design at an attractive overall cost is your priority, a good starting point will be the Standard Pools series. When insulation and retaining the water temperature are more important, you can consider the Thermo series, whereas Premium SPA is the right choice when the pool is to serve as an extensive wellness zone with a 9 kW heat pump as standard.

What is the difference between an ON/OFF and an inverter heat pump?

The ON/OFF 6 kW heat pump operates in an on/off mode at a fixed rated power, while the 9 kW inverter heat pump has higher power and a different way of operating the compressor, allowing the unit to adjust its output more smoothly. In practice, the choice concerns the output of the unit, how it operates and the overall budget you plan to allocate for heating in the configurator.

Premium SPA wooden pool, side view with heat pump unit visible next to the pool wall

The ON/OFF 6 kW heat pump is a simpler solution – it operates by switching the unit on and off at full power. It is available as an option for Standard and Thermo pools. It will work well if you are looking for electric water heating but do not need more advanced automation.

The 9 kW inverter heat pump is a higher output unit that uses inverter technology for smoother compressor control. In the Standard and Thermo pools it is available as an optional upgrade, while in the Premium SPA models (for example the 485-235 or 685-300 pool with hydromassage) the 9 kW inverter heat pump is standard equipment, together with filtration, LED lighting and a chlorine generator.

In practice, when choosing a pool heat pump you decide whether a simple 6 kW ON/OFF system is enough, or whether you prefer the higher 9 kW output and inverter operation characteristic of the Premium SPA series. The actual heating time and energy consumption depend on the pool volume, initial water temperature, weather conditions, heating type and the pool cover used.

How to keep the heat in a pool?

To effectively keep the heat in a pool, you can combine heating (heater or heat pump) with Thermo insulation and a sliding polycarbonate enclosure, and in the case of the Premium SPA series benefit from the 9 kW inverter heat pump that comes as standard. In addition, an appropriate structure with thermal insulation and a cover that limits evaporation are very important.

A structure with thermal insulation reduces heat loss and helps to maintain the water temperature for longer. The Thermo series has been designed with thermal insulation that reduces heat loss, so it is particularly worth considering when the water is to be heated regularly in spring or autumn. Pools in this series are distinguished by a modern, thermally insulated structure that ensures better temperature retention.

A pool cover further limits cooling of the water surface, evaporation and the amount of debris entering the pool. A good pool cover reduces the amount of leaves, insects and other contaminants getting into the water, while at the same time reducing evaporation and heat loss.

  • Thermo insulation – in the Thermo Drewno series the structure has been designed to minimise water temperature loss.
  • Sliding polycarbonate enclosure – available for Premium SPA as well as Standard and Thermo pools.
  • Covers and lids – help to keep the temperature and protect the water, especially outside bathing hours.

This transparent or semi-transparent enclosure is fully resistant to changing weather conditions and, thanks to its design, it is convenient to use on a daily basis. If you are planning a sliding enclosure, terrace or any built-up area around the pool, it is best to take this into account already when marking out the space for the entire bathing area.

In the Premium SPA models, such as the large pool with hydromassage 685-300 – Premium SPA, the equipment includes a 9 kW inverter heat pump, filtration, LED lighting and a chlorine generator. The Premium SPA series combines a thermally insulated structure with a complete technological system, making it easier to maintain the water and its temperature on a daily basis.

How much can the season be extended?

By using a heating system (wood fired heater or heat pump) together with suitable insulation and a pool cover, the bathing season in a heated wooden pool can be extended to around 7-8 months a year. This applies to configurations in which heating and maintaining the water temperature are planned from the very beginning of the project.

A year-round pool is a realistic prospect even when it is autumn outside, but the term “year-round pool” does not mean that every configuration should be left filled and running in winter without any additional steps. A year-round pool requires an appropriately prepared installation and a suitable way of operation, while the heating system allows you to significantly extend the period of comfortable bathing beyond the typical summer season.

A heated wooden pool 480-240 cm with water heating by wood fired heater or heat pump is a ready-made solution for those who want a real pool in the garden without concrete works and a long construction process. You can choose heating with a heat pump or a wood fired heater – in both cases the swimming season can be extended to as much as 7-8 months a year.

In practice, filtration, the right pool chemicals, a cover and regular monitoring of parameters together form one system – the better it is managed, the less work is needed later to restore the water to the right condition. If the pool is not going to be used during the winter, it is particularly important to protect the equipment and water installation against freezing.

Summary

Heating the water in a wooden pool is most often carried out with an integrated wood fired heater or a 6 kW or 9 kW heat pump, and the final choice depends on whether your priority is traditional wood burning or electric, automated heating. Combining the right heating system with Thermo insulation and a cover or enclosure helps to maintain the water temperature and extend the bathing season to around 7-8 months a year.

If you are wondering how to heat a garden pool and which heating system to choose, use the configurator on your chosen product page or call +48 888 768 211.