Heat Pump vs Solar Pool Heating: Which Is Better for Your Fibreglass Pool?

In short: Choose solar pool heating if you have plenty of sunny, north-facing roof space and mainly want warmer water from spring to autumn. Choose a heat pump if you want to set a temperature and swim when you like, including cooler mornings and evenings. Either way, add a pool cover. It keeps in the heat you've paid for and stops most evaporation.

Key takeaways

• Solar pumps pool water through collectors on your roof. Low running cost, but it depends on sun and roof space.
• A heat pump pulls heat from the air using electricity. It heats on demand, day or night, and gives the longest swim season.
• Gas heats fastest but usually costs the most to run, so it suits pools heated occasionally.
• A cover is the cheapest heater you'll buy. Smart WaterMark says a solar cover can stop 97% of evaporation.
• DIY doesn't mean digging, or wiring. You choose the heater; your plumber and licensed electrician connect it. You're managing, not labouring.

How does solar pool heating work?

Your pool pump (or a dedicated solar pump) sends water up to black collector strips or panels on your roof. The sun warms the water and it flows back into the pool. A controller switches the flow on when the roof is warmer than the pool.

The heat is free, but the system isn't. You're paying for the collectors, the installation and the electricity to pump water to the roof. The South Australian Government lists a solar heater pump at 0.5 to 0.75 kW, which is similar to a small pool filter pump (SA.GOV.AU).

Solar works best when you have:

• Enough unshaded, north-facing roof area (installers often size collectors relative to the pool's surface area) [CONFIRM sizing rule with a solar installer]
• A roof that isn't too far above or away from the pool
• Realistic expectations: warmer water in spring and autumn, not a heated pool in July

How does a pool heat pump work?

A heat pump works like a reverse-cycle air conditioner. It draws heat from the outside air, concentrates it and transfers it into your pool water. Because it moves heat rather than making it, it puts out several times more heat than the electricity it uses. That ratio is called the COP (coefficient of performance).

The Madimack Elite V3 heat pumps we supply are rated at a COP of up to 16.4, with a 10-year compressor warranty, Wi-Fi control and a set point of up to 40°C.

Heat pump vs solar vs gas: how do they compare?

Gas running cost from SA.GOV.AU (AGL and Origin standing retail contracts). Checked 19 October 2026.

How much does each option cost?

We only publish prices we can stand behind, so here's what we know for sure. Madimack Elite V3 heat pumps in our range start from $4510 for the 11kW and go up from there. Add a licensed electrician to connect it. Solar systems are quoted by solar installers based on your roof and pool size, so get two or three quotes. Our pool heater costs guide covers the upfront side in more detail.

Which is better in NSW, QLD and Victoria?

Climate changes the answer more than anything else.

• South-east Queensland: Mild winters and strong sun mean solar works well for much of the year, and a heat pump has an easy job. Many Brisbane and Gold Coast owners find a smaller heat pump plus a cover gives near year-round swimming. See our Queensland fibreglass pools page.
• Sydney and coastal NSW: Solar extends the season nicely from September to April. A heat pump fills the gaps on cooler mornings and lets you swim into May and June. See fibreglass pools in NSW.
• Victoria, Canberra and inland NSW: Short winter days limit solar. A correctly sized heat pump and a cover are usually the only realistic way to swim outside summer. Heat pump output drops in cold air, so size up rather than down.

What size heat pump does my pool need?

It depends on pool volume, your climate, how warm you want the water and whether you use a cover. As a starting point, a small plunge pool may only need one of the smaller units, while a 7m to 9m family pool in a cooler climate likely needs one of the larger models. Not sure which one would suit? Tell us your ideal pool size and postcode when you request a quote and we'll size it with you.

Does pool colour or a cover make a difference?

Yes, both. Darker shells absorb more of the sun's heat, which is one reason Blue Rock and Dark Blue are popular with owners who want warmer water. Read more in our pool colour guide.

A cover matters even more. An uncovered pool can lose up to 55,000 litres of water a year to evaporation, and a solar pool cover can stop 97% of that, according to Smart WaterMark. Every litre that evaporates takes heat with it. Our guide to whether solar pool covers work explains your options.

Frequently asked questions

Is a heat pump or solar better for heating a pool?

Solar suits owners with plenty of north-facing roof space who mainly want to stretch the warmer months. A heat pump suits owners who want a set temperature on demand and a longer swim season. Many fibreglass pool owners choose a heat pump plus a cover.

How much does a pool heat pump cost?

Madimack Elite V3 heat pumps in our range run from $4,510 (11kW) to $16,060 (40kW), checked 19 October 2026, plus electrician connection.

Does solar pool heating work in winter?

Output drops on short, cloudy days, so solar is best at extending spring and autumn rather than heating through winter.

Do I need a pool cover if I have a heater?

Yes. A cover keeps in the heat you've paid for, and Smart WaterMark says a solar cover can stop 97% of evaporation and cut chemical use by 30 to 60%.

Who installs a pool heat pump?

Your plumber connects it to the pool plumbing and a licensed electrician wires it in. You choose the heater and book the trades.

Get your pool and heating priced together

Adding heating at the start is cheaper and simpler than retrofitting later. Get a price for your pool kit with a heat pump sized to it.

Try the Pool Price Calculator  |  Get your free pool kit quote or call 1800 497 421.