Keeping your pool warm can extend your swimming season, enhance your comfort, and add long-term value to your home. If you’re ready to enjoy these benefits, you might be wondering whether you should invest in a pool heat pump vs solar pool heating.

In short, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution—it all depends on your climate, property, budget, lifestyle, and how you plan to use your pool.

At NCS Pool Heating Systems, we’ve been supplying and installing heat pumps and solar pool heating systems in NSW pools for over 30 years. In this guide, we’ll explore how both options work and help you figure out what’s best for your backyard. 

 

What is solar pool heating?

Solar pool heating is a popular and eco-friendly option for NSW homes, especially in areas that get consistent sunshine like Sydney, Newcastle, and the Central Coast.

The concept is simple, but incredibly effective. 

A solar pool heating system uses your existing pool pump to circulate water through a series of black or dark-coloured solar collector panels, which are usually installed on a north-facing section of your roof for maximum sun exposure.

As the pool water flows through these panels, it absorbs heat from the sun—essentially warming up as it passes through the heated surface of the collectors. Once warmed, the water is returned to your pool. 

This process repeats automatically during daylight hours, gradually increasing the pool’s overall temperature.

Most systems also include a controller and sensors that measure both the pool and roof temperature, so the system only runs when it can actively raise the pool’s temperature—helping you save energy and wear on your pump.

Just keep in mind that performance may vary on cloudy days or during the cooler months.

Key benefits:

• Very low running costs – only uses energy to circulate water
• Eco-friendly – powered by the sun, with no emissions
• Quiet and low-maintenance – no noise or complex parts
• Great for seasonal swimming – ideal for spring to early autumn

Best for:

• Homes with good sun exposure and roof space
• Warm-weather swimmers 
• Those looking to keep ongoing costs low
• Eco-conscious homeowners wanting to harness the power of the sun

 

What is a pool heat pump?

A pool heat pump is a device that draws warmth from the air to heat your pool water. This process makes them highly efficient—even in cooler or cloudier weather—because they’re not limited by how much sun your roof gets on any given day.

Importantly, heat pumps don’t generate heat the way a traditional gas or electric heater would. Instead, they transfer existing heat from the atmosphere into your pool using a refrigeration cycle. 

Think of it as a reverse-cycle air conditioner for your water. Because of this, they’re often more consistent than solar during off-peak swimming times or in shaded areas, and they’re capable of maintaining a set temperature around the clock.

There are two different types of heat pumps available:

• On/off heat pumps: Run on a simple cycle, switching on when the water drops below your set temperature and switching off once it’s reached.
• Inverter heat pumps: Automatically adjust their compressor and fan speeds based on how much heating is needed. Rather than working flat out all the time, they scale their energy use up or down to keep your pool at a steady temperature—using only as much electricity as required. This not only improves energy efficiency but also helps the system run quieter and last longer.

While solar heating can be perfect when there’s plenty of sun, and you’re happy to swim during the warmer months, heat pumps offer that extra level of control and flexibility—especially for year-round swimmers or properties where roof space or sun exposure is limited.

Learn more about how pool heat pumps work.

Key benefits:

• Works rain or shine – not affected by cloud cover
• Precise temperature control – set and maintain your perfect pool temp
• Compact design – easy to install in tight spaces
• Reliable performance in cooler weather – great for winter swimmers or spa users

Best for:

• All-season swimmers in areas like Sydney, Newcastle, or Forster
• Homes in cooler microclimates or with shaded yards
• Households wanting consistent water temperatures year-round
• Properties without suitable roof space for solar panels

Pool heat pump vs solar pool heating: which is right for you?

Feature	Solar Pool Heating	Heat Pump Pool Heater
Upfront Cost	Medium	Higher
Running Costs	Very low	Moderate
Winter Performance	Limited	Strong
Environmental Impact	Very low	Low to moderate
Temperature Control	Limited	Excellent
Lifespan	15–20 years	10–15 years
Noise Level	Silent	Very quiet
Best For	Warm-weather swimming	All-season swimming

Picking the right pool heating system isn’t just a matter of which option looks better on paper—it’s about what’s going to work best for you. Your home, your pool, and the way you like to swim all play a part in the decision. 

From the sunny backyards of Lake Macquarie to the cooler mornings in the Hunter Valley, and from compact courtyards in Sydney to open rooftops along the Mid North Coast, every setup is different. 

To help you choose between a heat pump vs solar pool heating with confidence, we’ve broken it down into the key factors to consider.

Local climate

Weather patterns can greatly influence how effective solar or heat pump systems will be.

If your pool is located somewhere that generally enjoys long stretches of sunny days throughout spring, summer, and into early autumn, solar pool heating is an excellent choice. 

After all, it harnesses the sun’s natural energy efficiently, keeping running costs minimal while delivering reliable warmth for most of the year.

If your pool area is shaded or often experiences long cloudy spells or strong coastal breezes, a heat pump may offer more predictable performance, especially during shoulder seasons or winter.

Pool heat pumps provide reliable heating regardless of the weather, making them ideal for homeowners wanting to extend their swimming season or enjoy a warm pool on overcast days.

Your swimming habits

When and how often you swim plays a major role in deciding which system will suit you best.

If you tend to swim between October and April—basically, during the warmer half of the year—solar heating is likely to meet your needs perfectly. It’s especially effective when matched with a pool cover, which helps retain the heat overnight.

If you’re a year-round swimmer, have a spa connected to your pool, or simply prefer water at a consistent temperature on demand, then a heat pump offers that flexibility. You can set your desired temperature and maintain it day and night, regardless of weather or season.

Think of solar as the ideal choice for seasonal comfort, while a heat pump is the go-to solution for pool owners who want total control and comfort 12 months a year.

Your roof & property layout

What sort of space are you working with?

This is important, as your home’s physical layout can make one system more practical than the other.

Solar heating requires a decent amount of unshaded, north-facing roof space for optimal performance. The panels need to be installed where they’ll get full sun exposure throughout the day. If your roof is angled the right way and has the space available, solar is a natural fit.

If your roof is small, complex, shaded by trees or other buildings, or already packed with solar PV panels, then solar pool heating may be difficult to install effectively. 

That’s where heat pumps shine—they are compact units typically installed next to the pool equipment, so they don’t depend on roof orientation or sunlight. This makes them ideal for properties with tricky rooflines or limited roof access.

In summary, your property layout can directly influence feasibility, so it’s worth having a professional assessment done to understand your options.

Upfront cost & long-term value

Solar heating systems generally have a mid-range upfront cost, with little to no ongoing expense beyond running the pool pump. This makes them very cost-effective over the long term, especially in sun-rich areas. However, some installations may require additional plumbing or roof structural work, depending on your home’s layout.

On the other hand, heat pumps usually involve a higher upfront investment, and they do consume electricity during operation. That said, they’re highly efficient—especially modern inverter models—and when combined with your existing solar PV system, the running costs can be significantly reduced. Over time, this makes them a very economical choice for frequent or all-season swimmers.

If the budget is your main concern, solar may be more appealing for its low running costs. But if you’re after predictable, on-demand comfort, the added flexibility of a heat pump often justifies the cost.

Energy efficiency & sustainability 

Both solar and heat pump systems offer energy-efficient ways to heat your pool, but they achieve this in different ways.

Solar pool heating is one of the most environmentally friendly heating options available. It relies entirely on renewable energy from the sun, with a minimal carbon footprint. If reducing your energy use is a top priority, solar is the natural choice.

Heat pumps are also very efficient, often generating 3 to 5 times more heat energy than the electricity they consume. While they do rely on grid power (unless offset by rooftop solar PV), modern models are designed to minimise energy consumption. 

Plus, pairing a heat pump with your home’s existing solar panel system can effectively make it a zero-emissions heating option.

Ultimately, both systems support energy-conscious living—just in slightly different ways. If you’re trying to minimise your environmental impact while still enjoying a warm pool, either option can be a smart, sustainable solution.

 

Can you use a pool heat pump and solar pool heating together?

Yes, and many NSW homeowners do! A hybrid pool heating system uses solar as the primary source and a heat pump as backup, offering the best of both worlds.

With this smart set-up, you can:

• Use solar during sunny days to save on running costs
• Switch to heat pump heating in cloudy or cool weather
• Let your automation system manage it for you

This combo is perfect for areas where sunshine is common, but the occasional cloudy week might slow down solar heating.

 

Get the perfect pool heating solution with NCS 

When it comes to comparing a heat pump vs solar pool heating, there’s no single best solution—just the one that makes sense for your climate, lifestyle, and goals. The right pool heating system can keep you comfortable, extend your swimming season, and add value to your home. 

Ready to take the next step?

NCS Pool Heating & Filtration Systems is here to help you choose the perfect fit. Whether you’re after a quiet solar system or an all-season heat pump, our team will assess your property, lifestyle and preferences, then recommend the right system for you. From site inspection to installation, we handle the entire process from start to splash.

We supply and install pool heat pumps and solar pool heating systems throughout Newcastle, Sydney, the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, the Hunter Valley, and the Mid North Coast. 

 Get in touch today, and let us help you create a pleasant swimming experience all year round.