An unheated pool in Switzerland means a swimming season limited to July and August – barely 3 months a year. It’s a shame for such an investment.
With the right heating system, you can enjoy your pool from April to October– twice as long. At Astro Piscines, we’ve been installing the most efficient and economical heating solutions in Geneva and Vaud since 1974.
Why invest in a pool heater?
The investment in a pool heater is quickly justified when you look at the figures:
- Triple the use of your pool: go from 3 months to 6-7 months of swimming per year
- Make your pool investment profitable: a CHF 80,000 pool used for 3 months costs CHF 8,900/month to amortize. At 7 months, this cost drops to 3’800 CHF/month.
- Family comfort: no more chills in May and September, your children can bathe at 28°C
- Real estate value: a heated swimming pool is a major selling point for luxury villas
Heating Solutions for Your Pool
Several technologies are available to heat a swimming pool. Here’s an overview of the main options:
Heat Pumps : Our Recommendation
It’s the most economical solution. The heat pump captures free calories from the air and transfers them to your pool water. For every 1 kW of electricity consumed, it delivers 5 to 15 kW of heat, depending on conditions.
We have selected the Polytropic and Hayward brands for their reliability and Full Inverter technologies (silence, savings, smartphone connectivity).
→ Discover our Polytropic & Hayward heat pumps
The Heat Exchanger: For indoor pools
The plate heat exchanger allows you to connect your pool to your domestic heating system (boiler, geothermal system, home heat pump). It’s the ideal solution for indoor pools or pools close to the equipment room. Rapid temperature rise.
The Electric Heater: an additional solution
Less expensive to buy (CHF 500-1,500) but very energy-intensive (1 kW consumed = 1 kW of heat). Reserved for small volumes, spas or occasional heating. Not recommended as a main solution.
The Solar Shutter: Cut Your Heating Bill by 2
Did you know that an uncovered pool loses 80% of its heat through evaporation at night? Investing in an uncovered heat pump means heating… the sky!
The solar shutter is the essential complement to your heating system:
- Heat conservation: the shutter acts as a thermal insulator, reducing night-time losses by 70%.
- Passive temperature gain: blades exposed to the sun heat water by +2 to +5°C naturally, free of charge
- Proven energy savings: up to 50% reduction in your heat pump’s consumption
- Standardized safety: a roller shutter secures access to the pool (NF P90-308 standard)
- Clean water: less debris, less cleaning, fewer chemicals
💡 Our expert advice: By combining a Full Inverter PAC with a solar shutter, you can keep your pool at 28°C from April to October with controlled electricity consumption. This is the winning combo we recommend to 90% of our customers.
Bubble Cover vs Roller Shutter : Which one to choose?
Bubble cover: Economical solution (CHF 200-600). Effective for retaining heat and warming water on sunny days. Manual handling. Lasts 3-5 years.
Solar-powered roller shutter: Higher investment but automated, secure and aesthetically pleasing. Lasts 15-20 years. Ideal for luxury pools.
How much does it cost to heat a swimming pool per month?
This is THE question all our customers ask themselves. Here’s a realistic calculation for a typical swimming pool in the Lake Geneva region:
Example: 50 m³ pool heated from April to October
- Target temperature: 28°C
- Correctly sized heat pump (average COP 5)
- Estimated consumption: 2’500 to 3’500 kWh/season
- Electricity costs (0.25 CHF/kWh): 625 to 875 CHF/season
That’s around CHF 100-150/month to enjoy your pool for 7 months instead of 3!
With a solar shutter, this consumption can be reduced by 30-50%, or just CHF 50-100/month.
📊 Comparative heating costs by solution
| Solution | Investment | Cost/month | Recommendation |
| Full Inverter heat pump | 2’500 – 8’000 CHF | CHF 100-150 | ✅ Best value for money |
| Heat pump + solar shutter (combo) | 5’000 – 15’000 CHF | 50-100 CHF | ✅✅ Optimum solution |
| Heat exchanger | 3’000 – 7’000 CHF | Variable** | ⚡ Indoor pools |
| Electric heater | 500 – 1’500 CHF | 400-600 CHF | ⚠️ Not recommended |
*Estimate for 50 m³ pool, April-October season. **Depends on the cost of your domestic heating.
Ready to extend your swimming season?
Our experts will visit you free of charge in Geneva and Vaud to study your project and recommend the right heating solution for your pool and your budget.
Frequently asked questions about pool heating
What is the ideal temperature for a swimming pool?
For most bathers, a comfortable temperature is between 26°C and 28°C. Above 30°C, the risk of bacterial proliferation increases. For children and the elderly, 28°C is ideal.
How much does it cost to heat a swimming pool per month?
With a correctly sized heat pump, you can expect to pay CHF 100-150/month for a 50 m³ pool heated to 28°C from April to October. With a solar shutter, the cost drops to CHF 50-100/month.
Should you cover your pool to reduce heating costs?
Absolutely! An uncovered pool loses 80% of its heat through evaporation at night. A cover or bubble cover reduces consumption by 30-50%. It’s an essential investment.
Is it safe to swim in Switzerland from April onwards?
Yes, with the right heating system! The heat pump can start heating as soon as the outside temperature rises above 5-10°C. Plan to start heating 3-5 days before your first swim of the season.
What’s the difference between a heat pump and an electric heater?
Electric heaters consume a lot of energy (1 kW = 1 kW of heat). The heat pump is 5 to 15 times more economical, as it captures heat from the air (1 kW = 5 to 15 kW of heat, depending on the COP).
How long does it take to heat a 50 m³ pool?
With a properly sized heat pump, it takes 24 to 48 hours to gain 10°C. The temperature rise is faster if the pool is covered.
For technical questions about heat pumps (models, Full Inverter, connectivity…), visit our dedicated page: