Who doesn’t love having a pool in their backyard? The relaxation and all the fun activities that you can enjoy with your family and friends whenever the weather allows it is an advantage that trumps the fun of all other leisure outdoor activities. But if you’ve decided to invest in a pool, it’s sad to limit its use only to the warm months. So why not do something about it and make this investment one that you can truly enjoy all year round?
What do I mean? Pool heating! With the range of pool heating options available, there is definitely a solution that will be suitable for your pool and budget. For that very reason, below I will briefly explain the most popular types of swimming pool heaters to help you choose the best one for your needs.
Heat Pump
Being efficient and environmentally friendly, a heat pump can save you a lot of money in the long run as it typically has a much lower annual cost than the rest of the options. Plus, with proper maintenance, a heat pump can last up to a decade or more. What makes this heating option environmentally friendly is that it uses less energy – it operates by extracting heat from the outside air, increasing the heat with a compressor, delivering the heat to the water, and ejecting the cold air out the top of the unit. However, for it to operate effectively, the ambient air outside needs to be 7 degrees Celsius or higher. This method is ideal for pool owners that live in warmer climates during the colder seasons.
Gas Pool Heaters
Gas pool heaters run on either natural gas or propane gas and are most effective when used for short periods of time. They can heat a pool faster than the other heating methods and maintain a constant water temperature. However, they are only recommended if you live in a climate that has an average temperature below 12 degrees Celsius. If you decide to go with this option, you can choose between running the heater on liquid propane or natural gas. This means that you will need to consider the availability and the cost of gas and whether or not a gas line has been already installed where you live. Gas pool heaters also need to be refilled and hooked up to a propane tank. The type of fuel you should use will depend on the availability and price of propane and gas in your area.
Solar Heaters
As you may have guessed, solar heaters use solar panels to transfer heat from the sun to your swimming pool. The pool water is pumped by a pump into the hot water collector that is usually mounted on the ground and it is positioned towards the sun. The collected sun rays are then converted into energy that heats the water as it passes through the solar panels. As solar heaters depend on the sun, you might still need to use auxiliary heaters during nights and on cloudy days.
Keep in mind that a swimming pool heating system is a big investment. So, if after reading this article you are still unsure of which option is best for you, find an expert to help you choose the right heating solution for your pool.