When Steve from the Adelaide Hills first installed solar pool heating for his indoor pool, he was excited about the prospect of a longer swimming season. However, it quickly became clear that his system wasn’t delivering the warmth his family wanted. With limited heating time each day, his swimming season was much shorter than it should have been.

The Problem: Poor Placement and Insufficient Surface Area

Steve’s pool is a spacious 10m x 4m indoor concrete pool, complete with a semicircular spa. While his pool shed design included a southern-facing solar heating system, the orientation meant it only received direct sunlight from late morning to late afternoon during summer. This simply wasn’t enough to effectively heat his pool to the comfortable 28-29°C his family preferred.

Another major issue was the size of the solar heating blanket—it was too small for the volume of water in Steve’s pool. Without enough surface area to absorb heat efficiently, the system was underperforming, leaving the water cooler than expected.

The Solution: A Better Location for Maximum Sun Exposure

When Steve reached out to me, I assessed the situation and quickly identified the root causes. His current solar heating system wasn’t just in the wrong location—it was also too small to make a significant impact.

I suggested moving the solar heating system to a nearby shed further up the hill. This shed had a large east-west-facing roof, providing a significantly better surface area for heat absorption and longer exposure to direct sunlight. Steve agreed, and together, we got to work.

The Installation: A Collaborative Effort

Steve took charge of digging the necessary trenches using his backhoe, while my team handled the installation. Within a day, we had the new system in place, along with a few plumbing alterations to further optimise performance. One key adjustment allowed Steve to heat just the spa in the shoulder seasons (April and October), extending its usability.

“I tested it in late April, and I was able to heat the spa to 34 degrees, which was fantastic,” Steve said. “Now, in a normal summer, the pool is warm enough from late October through to the end of March.”

A Self-Sufficient, Cost-Effective System

Steve’s setup is particularly efficient because he runs an off-grid solar power system with a battery backup. This means his solar pool heating operates entirely on excess energy produced by his system, effectively costing him nothing to run.

The upgraded system we installed is also highly intelligent. If cloud cover reduces sunlight, the system detects the drop in temperature and automatically shuts off to prevent cooling the pool. When the sun comes back out, the system restarts seamlessly.

The Results: A Thriving Swimming Season

With the new solar heating system in place, Steve’s family can now comfortably swim for up to five months of the year, enjoying warm water from late spring through early autumn. Additionally, he can now heat the spa independently during the cooler months, further extending his family’s enjoyment of their pool area.

“I found Anthony exceptional—very professional and straight to the point,” Steve said. “The after-sales service was fantastic. He even provided an extra blanket for the spa from offcuts, which I really appreciated.”

Thinking About Solar Pool Heating? Get It Right the First Time

Steve’s experience highlights just how important placement and surface area are when it comes to solar pool heating. If your pool isn’t heating the way it should, the issue might not be the system itself—it could be where it’s installed and how much surface area is dedicated to heating.

At Adelaide Pool Heating, we take the time to assess your pool, your property, and your energy needs to ensure you get the best possible results. If you’re in Adelaide or the Adelaide Hills and want to extend your swimming season with a reliable, efficient solar heating solution, contact us today!