Above ground pool heating suggestions needed.

[Ellister01]

Hi guys, looking for some ideas on heating a above ground pool.

Here is my current setup:
10ft framed Intex pool round
Elecro 3kw Nano Above Ground Swimming Pool Heater
Sand filter/pump (Ultra Sand Filter & Pump Combo System for Intex and Bestway Above Ground Swimming Pools)

I have a disabled son who is a pain and won't get in the water unless it's 28°c or over.

With the current set up I can get it to about 25, but anything more is using a hose with hot tap. So don't want to use so much water having to empty and refill.

Is there anything I can add to quickly get those last few degrees, or is it a change of heater required? I've noticed anything bigger needs hardwiring in.

Thanks for your help guys.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!

Are you covering the pool? A cover is needed to heat and maintain the heat in your pool.

Take care.

 

[Ellister01]

Yeah a normal cover with a bubble wrap cover underneath that.

Under the pool we have also placed 2 layers of sponge mats with foil insulation in between under the pool.

 

[mknauss]

Sounds like you heater is undersized for what you want to do. Your heat loss is matching your heater output once you reach ~25C.

Good luck.

 

[CJadamec]

You could try your luck with making a insulated cover out of ridged foam insulation. That might keep enough heat in to get the last couple of degree.
Another trick would be an over sized tarp over the entire pool that can protect the pool from wind basically "tenting" the pool.

Neither option is super cheap nor can I say they will absolutely work. Short of getting a larger heater and all the electrical work involved in that there aren't too many options.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Do you have any area around the pool that you could setup some solar panels for heating? A 10ft diameter pool doesn't have a lot of surface area and so long as the panels are 1-1.5X the surface area of the pool, you could perhaps capture some additional heat that way? There are websites here in the US that sell do-it-yourself solar panels so perhaps there are some sites in the UK or EU that do so as well....