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Swimming Pool Heaters

Swimming pool heaters are designed to increase the pool temperature. Heaters can be used for in ground and above ground pools and come in a few different forms:

Gas Pool Heaters

Gas heaters are the most popular method of heating a swimming pool. Gas heaters use either natural gas or propane to heat pool water and the new heaters with digital thermostats are much more efficient compared to the older models that used analogue dials. Most gas pool heaters have 2 thermo stats, one for the swimming pool and one for the Hot Tub/Jacuzzi.

The cost of Gas heating

Compared to heat pumps and solar panel heaters, gas heating can be one of the most expensive ways to heat your pool. A typical gas heater costs around $700 - $1,000 and its best to have a qualified installer fit the gas system. Secondly the ongoing maintenance costs will be higher compared to a heat pump or solar system. The main advantage to a gas heater is the fact it will heat your pool the fastest compared to any other pool heating method.

Heat Pump Pool Heaters

Heat pump heaters are the second most popular choice to heating a pool. They are generally more efficient compared to gas heaters as they use air and electricity to heat the pool.

As water passes through the heat pump the fan draws in the outside air and passes it over the evaporator coil. Liquid refrigerant within the evaporator coil then absorbs the heat created from the outside air and turns it into a gas. The gas in the coil passes through a compressor which increases the heat, which passes through the condenser. The condenser transfers heat from the hot gas to the pool water thats circulating the heater. The water is then transferred back into the pool, this is a continual process.

The hotter the air that’s drawn into the heat pump the more efficient it will be, so be aware that when heating your pool when it’s cold outside means the heater has to work harder, making it less efficient. In general a heat pump will be more efficient and cost effective compared to running a gas heater, also they are generally easier to install compared to a gas heater.

The cost of Heat Pumps

A heat pump will not be as expensive to run compared to a gas or solar heater, however the initial cost can be more expensive than a gas heater. If you live in a naturally warm climate then an electric heat pump will be a good investment. Generally heat pumps start around $1,000 - $1,500 but on the plus side they will be easier to install compared to gas.

Solar Pool Heaters

Solar pool heaters are becoming increasingly popular and also a good option if you live in a naturally sunny climate. Solar pool heaters are very cost effective and the only major cost will be the installation.

Pool water passes through the solar collector(s) where it is then heated before being return to the swimming pool. Some of the more advanced solar heaters can be automatically bypassed if the pool temperature is the same as the solar panel temperature. Be aware there are basically two types of solar collectors and the one you need will depend on your requirements

If you only use your swimming pool when the temperature is above freezing, then you need a solar heater with an unglazed collector system. Unglazed means the solar panel does not include a glass covering and is generally made of heavy duty rubber or plastic treated with ultraviolet (UV) light (which prolongs the life of the solar panel) Unglazed solar panels are typically cheaper to run compared to glazed solar panels.

Glazed collector systems are typically constructed using copper tubing on an aluminium plate with iron-tempered glass covering. Glazed collectors work more efficiently compared to unglazed systems but of course they are more expensive. Lastly they can be used in many different climates, whereas the unglazed solar collectors cannot.

The cost of solar heating

A typical pool solar heating system can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000. However you have to remember the running costs & maintenance costs will be much lower compared to gas or heat pump heaters. If properly maintained a solar heating system can last between 15 - 20 years.

A great solar heating solution
After researching into solar pool heater I found a great video on YouTube (see here....) where a US company have developed a solar system that is installed in your loft and extracts heat from that loft. A fan basically sucks the hot air from your loft and pulls it into the solar system, which then heats the pool water. This is fantastic because it also cools down your house at the same time. The website where you can find out more information is http://www.solarattic.com

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