When John from the Adelaide Hills called me, he was convinced solar pool heating wasn’t worth it.

In fact, he was about 75% sure he was going to ditch it altogether.

His system had been installed alongside his pool, complete with a solar blanket on top of the shed, but it had never delivered the warmth he wanted. To make up for it, he had a gas heating system as a backup, which worked—but at a staggering cost.

The Hidden Problem: Undersized Solar Heating

John’s frustration was understandable. He had invested in solar heating expecting it to work efficiently, but it simply wasn’t performing. What he didn’t know was that the system had been undersized for his pool. The installers had miscalculated not only the heating power needed for the pool’s size but also the energy loss due to the distance between the pool and the solar blanket.

When I visited his property, it didn’t take long to spot the problem. I explained that his solar system simply wasn’t large enough to do the job properly. This wasn’t a fault of solar heating itself—it was a case of poor installation and design. I told John, “Give me a chance, and I’ll show you how we can make this work.”

A Game-Changing Upgrade

John was skeptical, but he decided to trust me. My team and I installed a properly sized solar heating system, positioning it effectively to maximise efficiency. The results? Immediate and dramatic.

“The difference was incredible,” John recalls. “It was instant. We noticed the change right away.”

Now, John’s pool is comfortable throughout the warmer months, and he’s far less reliant on gas heating. Even in summer, he enjoys a perfectly warmed pool without the freezing shock that had previously been an issue.

Solar vs. Heat Pumps: Finding the Right Solution

Before reaching out to me, John had been seriously considering an electric heat pump to replace his solar heating. He had read that it could provide more consistent heating, and since he was so disappointed with his solar setup, he saw it as a logical next step.

But once we discussed the costs, John realised that switching to a heat pump would be a massive financial commitment. While heat pumps work well in some situations, his case was different. With the right solar heating system, he could achieve the results he wanted without the ongoing electricity expenses.

“I appreciated that Anthony didn’t just try to sell me something,” John said. “He explained the options and costs and then let me decide. In the end, he was right—solar could work for me, it just had to be done properly.”

The Perfect Pool Experience

With his new system in place, John can now rely on solar heating as soon as spring arrives. Even when temperatures are just moving into the 20s, the system on top of the shed starts delivering heat. His pool area has become a centerpiece of his home—guests always comment on how comfortable the water is, and it’s now a major talking point when people visit.

Most importantly, John no longer dreads the cost of heating his pool. By getting the right solar setup, he has extended his swimming season, reduced his reliance on gas, and saved thousands in potential heating expenses.

Thinking About Solar Pool Heating? Learn from John’s Experience

If you’re in Adelaide or the Adelaide Hills and you’ve been let down by a solar heating system that isn’t performing, don’t give up on solar just yet. The right system, designed for your pool’s size and positioning, can make all the difference.

At Adelaide Pool Heating, we specialise in assessing and installing the correct solar heating solutions to ensure you get the results you expect. If you want to enjoy a warm pool without breaking the bank, contact us today. Let’s make solar work for you!