A heated pool can extend your swimming season well beyond Perth's warmer summer months. But before choosing a heater, there's one question most pool owners want answered: are pool heat pumps expensive to run?
For most pools, no. A covered backyard pool can cost around $3 to $5 a day to maintain temperature with an efficient heat pump during Perth's shoulder season.
Of course, what you'll actually pay depends on your pool, how you use it and the local conditions. Let's break down the costs.
Key Takeaways
-
For most Perth pools, a heat pump is one of the most economical options for regular pool heating
-
A covered backyard pool can cost around $3 to $5 a day to maintain temperature during Perth's shoulder season
-
Across a September-to-April swimming season, a reasonable starting budget for many covered pools is around $500 to $900
-
A pool cover can reduce heating energy use by around 50% to 70%
-
Gas provides fast, on-demand heat but costs more to run regularly, while solar has very low running costs but depends on available sunshine
What a Heat Pump Actually Costs to Run in Perth
Local conditions matter when estimating pool heat pump running costs.
Synergy's currently published Home Plan (A1) electricity rate is around 32 cents per kilowatt-hour. Combined with Perth's relatively mild spring and autumn weather, that makes heat pumps an economical option for maintaining a comfortable pool temperature.
The exact figure will still depend on your pool. Size and surface area, target temperature, weather, heat pump efficiency and whether you use a cover all affect how long the unit needs to run.
Pool Heat Pump Cost Per Day
For a typical covered residential pool, around $3 to $5 per day is a useful starting point during Perth's shoulder season.
Without a cover, heat loss from the water increases substantially. Under similar conditions, the cost can rise to around $6 to $9 per day as the heat pump works longer to replace that lost warmth.
Larger pools, colder weather and higher temperature settings can push the cost higher again.
Pool Heat Pump Cost Per Season
Across an extended Perth swimming season from roughly September to April, many covered residential pools can expect to spend around $500 to $900 on heat-pump heating.
That doesn't mean you'll spend $3 to $5 every day for eight months. Run time changes throughout the season. During warmer weather, the pool loses less heat, and the heat pump may only need to work lightly to maintain temperature. Spring, autumn and colder periods generally require more heating.
Pool size, your preferred water temperature and how consistently you use a cover will all influence where your pool sits within that range.
Heating is also only one part of what a pool costs to run, alongside circulation, filtration and chlorination.
These figures are broad estimates based on current electricity pricing and typical residential use. Actual running costs vary between pools, so they should be treated as a guide rather than a quote.
Heat Pump vs Solar vs Gas: The Running-Cost Comparison
The cheapest way to heat a pool depends on more than the power bill. How often you swim, how quickly you want the water heated and when you want to use the pool all matter.
Gas has the advantage when speed matters. It can bring the water up to temperature quickly, making it useful for spas or pools that only need occasional heating. The trade-off is a higher running cost with regular use.
Solar has the lowest direct running cost once installed, but its performance depends on available sunshine. That makes heating less predictable during cooler or cloudy periods.
A heat pump sits between the two. It uses electricity to operate but provides more consistent temperature control than solar, with considerably lower regular running costs than gas. For Perth pool owners who want reliable warmth through spring and autumn, that balance makes heat pumps a practical choice.
You can learn more about the different pool heating options and which system best suits the way you use your pool.
The Biggest Factor in Your Bill is the Cover
If you want to reduce the cost of heating your pool, start with the cover.
A significant amount of pool heat is lost through evaporation at the water's surface, particularly overnight. A properly fitted cover helps trap that warmth instead of leaving the heat pump to replace it the following day.
Using a pool cover can reduce heating energy use by around 50% to 70%, making it one of the simplest ways to lower your pool heating bill.
It also explains why running-cost estimates can vary so much. An efficient heat pump on an uncovered pool may need to work much harder than the same unit heating a covered pool.
How Sizing and Settings Change What You Pay
Choosing an efficient heat pump is important, but so is choosing the right heat pump.
An undersized unit may need to run for longer to bring the water up to temperature, particularly when the weather cools. Go unnecessarily large, on the other hand, and you can end up paying more upfront for heating capacity your pool doesn't need.
The right size depends on more than pool volume. Pool surface area, location, exposure, desired temperature, swimming season and whether you use a cover can all affect the amount of heating required.
Our technicians can size a heat pump around your pool, how you use it and the months you want to swim, so you're getting the heating capacity you actually need.
Once the system is installed, a few simple settings and maintenance habits can also help keep running costs under control:
-
Run it during warmer conditions: Heat pumps draw warmth from the surrounding air, so they generally operate more efficiently when the air temperature is higher
-
Choose a sensible temperature: Every additional degree requires more energy to maintain, with around 28°C providing a comfortable target for many families
-
Keep the system maintained: Good water flow and properly maintained equipment help the heat pump operate as intended
Is a Heat Pump Worth It for Your Pool?
A heat pump makes the most sense if you want to use your pool regularly beyond the hottest part of summer.
If you only need rapid heat occasionally, gas may suit your pool better. If keeping running costs as low as possible is the priority and you're comfortable relying on available sunshine, solar may be enough.
So, are pool heat pumps expensive to run? For regular swimmers, generally not. Heat pumps provide more predictable temperatures through Perth's spring and autumn without the higher ongoing cost associated with regular gas use. That balance is why a pool heat pump can be worth it for many pool owners.
Enjoy a Longer Swimming Season with the Right Heat Pump
Choosing the right heat pump can give you more months to enjoy your pool while keeping running costs manageable. With the right-sized system, sensible temperature settings and a pool cover, a heat pump can be an economical way to keep your water comfortable for longer.
Every pool is different. Pool Assist can help you choose a heat pump suited to your pool, how often you swim and the months you want to use it.
Get in touch with our team to discuss your pool heating needs, or pop into our Myaree store to explore your options with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is it cheaper to leave a pool heat pump running all the time?
A. Not necessarily. If you swim regularly, maintaining a steady temperature can be more practical than repeatedly allowing the pool to cool before heating it again. If the pool won't be used for an extended period, however, maintaining swimming temperature may simply waste energy. The most economical schedule depends on how often you swim, the weather, your heat pump and how well the pool retains heat.
Q. Does a pool heat pump cost more to run when first heating the pool?
A. Yes. Bringing cold water up to your target temperature requires more heating than maintaining it once it gets there. The initial warm-up can therefore involve longer run times, particularly with a large pool or during cooler weather.
Q. Does an inverter pool heat pump save electricity?
A. An inverter heat pump can adjust its output as heating demand changes rather than simply operating at full capacity whenever it's on. Once the pool approaches its target temperature, the unit can reduce its output and maintain the temperature more efficiently.
Q. Can I run a pool heat pump with solar panels?
A. Yes. If your home has rooftop solar, running the heat pump while your system is generating electricity can help reduce how much power you draw from the grid. Your solar system size, household energy use and heat pump demand will determine how much of the heating load your solar can cover.
Q. How long does a pool heat pump take to warm a pool?
A. A heat pump usually heats a pool gradually rather than delivering the rapid temperature increase associated with gas heating. How long it takes depends on the starting water temperature, pool size, heat pump capacity, weather, desired temperature and whether the pool is covered. Correct sizing is particularly important if you want the pool ready by a certain time.
Q. Are pool heat pumps expensive to run compared with other pool equipment?
A. Pool heating will add to your overall energy use, but heat pumps are designed to move heat from the surrounding air rather than generate it directly. How much they add to your electricity bill will depend on the size of your pool, your temperature setting, how often you heat it and how well the pool retains warmth.
Note: This post was originally published on Dec 12, 2024 and has been updated on September 07, 2026.