Share this story, choose your platform!
Knowing what a pool costs to run makes owning one easier
Most people we speak to have a rough idea of the build price. Far fewer have thought about what happens after the last paving slab goes down. That’s where pool running costs come in, and it’s worth understanding them early.
The good news is that a modern outdoor pool is much cheaper to run than many people fear. With the right setup, running a pool is a steady, predictable cost rather than a nasty surprise.
We don’t publish set figures, and there’s a good reason for that. Every pool and every garden is different. Two pools of the same size can cost quite different amounts to run, depending on how they’re heated, how sheltered they are and how warm the owners like the water.
So this guide explains what drives the cost of running an outdoor pool, how each part works and how to keep your bills low. If you’d like a figure for your own garden, we’ll work one out before you commit.
Heating is the biggest part of your pool running costs
Heating is where most of your money goes. Water holds a lot of heat, and an outdoor pool loses it all the time to the air, the wind and the night sky. Keeping the water at a comfortable temperature means putting that heat back.
How much that costs depends on three things. The type of heater you choose, the temperature you set, and how well you stop the heat escaping.
Heat pumps are the most popular choice for UK gardens
Most of the pools we install are heated by an air source heat pump. It works a bit like a fridge in reverse. It pulls warmth out of the outside air and moves it into the pool water. Because it’s moving heat rather than making it, it gives you several times more heat than the electricity it uses.
A few things to know about heat pumps:
- They work best when the air is mild, so they suit the main UK swimming season well
- They heat the pool gradually, so it’s best to leave them ticking over rather than switching them on and off
- A correctly sized heat pump is important, because one that’s too small will struggle and run for longer
Other ways to heat a pool
Heat pumps aren’t the only option. Some owners use a gas or oil boiler, which heats water quickly and works well in colder weather. The trade off is that the fuel is usually more expensive to buy than the electricity a heat pump needs.
Solar heating is another choice. Panels or mats on a nearby roof warm the water using free energy from the sun. It’s cheap to run but depends on the weather, so it works best alongside another heater.
You can read more about each option in our guide to swimming pool heating.
The temperature you choose makes a real difference
Every extra degree you add costs more to maintain, and the cost climbs faster the warmer you go. A warmer pool loses heat more quickly to the cooler air.
Most families are happy with water that feels pleasant rather than bath warm. Try a slightly lower setting for a week or two. You may not notice it in the water, but you will in your bills.
A good cover is the easiest way to cut pool running costs
If heating is the biggest cost, a cover is the biggest saving. Most of the heat an outdoor pool loses escapes from the surface. Evaporation is the main culprit. When water evaporates, it carries warmth away with it. Put a cover on, and you stop most of that happening.
How a cover keeps heat in
A cover sits on the water and acts like a lid on a pan. It traps the warmth your heater has worked hard to create. It stops evaporation, it blocks the wind and it holds in heat overnight, when temperatures drop and losses are at their highest.
The main types of cover
- Solar or bubble covers. Light, affordable and good at keeping heat in. They need to be rolled on and off by hand or with a reel.
- Automatic slatted covers. These roll out at the press of a button. Because they’re so easy to use, people actually use them, and that is what saves money.
- Safety covers. Strong covers that can take weight across the pool. Some also offer good heat retention.
Covers help with cleaning and chemicals too
A cover also keeps out leaves, dust and insects, so your filter has less work to do. And because less water evaporates, you’ll need to top up far less often.
The simple rule is this. When nobody is swimming, the cover should be on.
Pumps, chemicals and water all add a little to the bill
Once you’ve looked at heating and covers, the rest of your pool running costs are smaller. They still add up, though.
Pump and filtration
Your pump keeps the water moving through the filter, the heater and the treatment system. It’s what keeps the pool clear and healthy, so it needs to run every day.
Older pumps ran at one fixed speed, usually flat out. Modern variable speed pumps are a big step forward. They can run slowly for long periods, which uses far less electricity while still turning the water over properly.
A few tips for keeping pump costs down:
- Choose a variable speed pump if you’re building a new pool or replacing an old one
- Use a timer so the pump runs when it’s needed rather than all day at full speed
- Keep the filter clean, because a clogged filter makes the pump work harder
Water treatment chemicals
Every pool needs a sanitiser to keep the water safe, plus products to keep the pH and other levels in balance. Chlorine is the most common sanitiser. Salt water systems are also popular. They turn salt into chlorine using a small cell, so you buy fewer chemicals, although the cell itself will need replacing from time to time.
Keeping the water balanced is the key to spending less here. When your pH drifts, your sanitiser works less well and you end up adding more. Testing little and often is far cheaper than fixing a problem once it’s taken hold.
Topping up the water
All outdoor pools lose some water. It evaporates, it splashes out and some goes to waste when you backwash the filter. On a mains supply this is usually a modest cost, and on a water meter you’ll see it in your bill.
A cover is your best friend here too. It cuts evaporation dramatically. If you ever find you’re topping up much more than usual, it’s worth checking for a leak, because a small leak wastes water, heat and chemicals all at once.
Lighting and extras
Pool lighting uses very little electricity these days, as modern LED lights are extremely efficient. Water features, jets and robotic cleaners use a little power too. Pop them on a timer and switch them off when you don’t need them.
Servicing, seasons and your garden shape your pool running costs
Some costs come round once a year. Others depend on choices you make early on.
Opening and closing the pool each year
Most outdoor pools in the UK are opened in the spring and closed down for the winter. Opening involves cleaning, rebalancing the water, checking the equipment and bringing the heating up to temperature. Closing involves treating the water, protecting the pipework from frost and fitting a winter cover.
A pool that’s closed properly opens more easily, needs fewer chemicals and is less likely to suffer frost damage.
Regular servicing
An annual service checks the heat pump, pump, filter and treatment system and catches small problems early. That keeps everything running efficiently, which in turn keeps your electricity use down.
The length of your season
How long you keep the pool open makes a big difference. A pool used from late spring to early autumn costs much less to heat than one kept warm from early spring into late autumn. The shoulder months are cooler, so the heater works harder to keep up. If the pool sits unused in the colder weeks, consider opening a little later or closing a little earlier.
Pool size and exposure to wind
A larger pool holds more water, so it takes more energy to heat and more product to treat. A larger surface area also loses more heat. Choosing the right size for how you’ll use the pool is one of the best long term decisions you can make. Our guide to swimming pool size can help you think it through.
Position matters too. Wind is one of the biggest causes of heat loss, because it speeds up evaporation across the surface. A sheltered, sunny spot will always be cheaper to run than an open, windy one. Hedges, fences and walls can all help.
Simple habits keep your costs down all season
Most savings come from small, everyday choices. Here are the ones we recommend to every customer:
- Cover the pool whenever you’re not swimming. This is the single most effective thing you can do.
- Pick a comfortable temperature and stick to it. Lower it by a degree or two if you can.
- Leave the heat pump running steadily rather than switching it off and reheating from cold.
- Use a variable speed pump and set sensible run times on a timer.
- Keep the filter clean so water flows freely and the pump works less.
- Test the water little and often to avoid wasting chemicals.
- Shelter the pool from the wind with planting, fencing or walls.
- Match your season to how you swim. There’s no need to heat an empty pool.
Together, these habits can make a real difference to your pool running costs over the years. If you are still at the early stages, our swimming pool buyers guide is a good place to start.
If you’re still at the planning stage, now is the perfect time to build savings in. A good cover, the right heat pump and a sheltered position cost far less to get right at the start than to add later. It’s also worth reading our guide to swimming pool cost so you can see the build and running costs side by side.
Pool costs questions we get asked a lot
Is a pool expensive to run?
It doesn’t have to be. With an efficient heat pump, a good cover and a variable speed pump, running an outdoor pool is a manageable, predictable cost for most families.
What is the most expensive part of running a pool?
Heating, by some distance. How you heat the pool, the temperature you choose and whether you use a cover will have the biggest effect on your bills.
Does a pool cover really save that much?
Yes. Most heat escapes from the surface, so a cover keeps warmth in, reduces evaporation and keeps debris out. It’s the best value item you can buy for your pool.
Should I leave my heat pump on all the time?
During the swimming season, it’s usually better to let it run steadily with the cover on. Letting the pool go cold and reheating it from scratch often uses more energy.
Are salt water pools cheaper to run?
They can reduce what you spend on chemicals, because the system makes its own chlorine. You’ll still need to buy salt and balancing products, and replace the cell from time to time.
Can you tell me what my pool will cost to run?
Yes. Every garden is different, so we’ll look at your pool size, heating, cover and location and give you a realistic estimate before you commit.
We’ll give you an honest view of pool running costs before you commit
Running an outdoor pool is far more affordable than many people expect, especially when it’s planned well from the start. Heating is the biggest factor. A cover is the biggest saving. Everything else is about good habits and good equipment.
We’ll talk you through the likely running costs for your own pool, based on your garden, your family and how you plan to swim.
If you’re starting to picture a pool in your garden, explore our full range of pools and see what might suit you.
Call us on 01483 323 676 or email hello@hilifepools.co.uk for a friendly, no-pressure chat, or get in touch online and we’ll come back to you.
