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Pool Heaters: Which One Do You Need To Heat Your Pool?

4 November 2015 by Anton Leinonen

For many that own a swimming pool, it can be devastating to be unable to use it once the weather starts cooling off. While you may not want to use it in the dead middle of winter, there are several months before and after the hot weather that you could utilize it. If this is something that you would like to do with your backyard swimming pool, you'll just need a pool heater in order to extend your swimming season. However, there is more than one type of heater to choose from: electric/heat pump, gas and solar. It is important to understand the differences between these before making a decision.

Electric Heat Pump Pool Heaters

A heat pump heating system for your pool will utilize electricity. They're most efficient when the temperatures outside do not dip below 45 to 50 degrees, according to the Department of Energy. The cooler the temperature is outside, the more energy that the heat pump will use. These heat pumps come at 3.0 to 7.0 (300 to 700 percent) efficiency. At 5.0, you are looking at spending $1075 annually to keep your pool at 80 degrees in Boston, or $165 with a cover.

They are pretty efficient, so they have low operating costs annually, but they do cost more upfront than a gas pool heater would. They also tend to last longer with proper maintenance – 10 years or longer. So, you'll get a bigger return on investment with a heat pump rather than a gas-fueled heating system

Gas Pool Heaters

The Department of Energy says that this is the most popular way to heat pools today. These systems are much more efficient today than they were years ago. These pool heating systems will utilize propane or natural gas and can usually last longer than five years when well taken care of. They're best-suited to heat pools for shorter periods of time and when you limited on time, which means it is good for those individuals who don't want to use the pool and the heater regularly.

In addition, these systems have the ability to maintain your desired temperature regardless of the climate or weather outside. When selecting one of these, you'll want to get as close to 95 percent efficiency as you can to reduce your costs. The Department of Energy says that running an 80 percent fuel efficient gas pool heater in Boston at 80 degrees will cost just under $2,100 annually. You can reduce that to $328 if you use a cover. You can save even more by finding a higher efficiency heating system.

Solar Pool Heaters

This is the most eco-friendly and cost-effective way to heat your pool, as you will use the energy from the sun, which is free, clean and inexhaustible. You won't have to worry about turning your solar pool heater off because your electric or gas bill is too high because there is no bill! You will be out around $3,000 to $4,000 upfront to purchase the solar pool heating system and have it installed. You can usually have a return on investment in a little over one year to seven years, depending on fuel costs in your area. Solar pool heaters are also longer-lasting than other types of heaters.

Regardless of which on you choose, heating the pool water will help you maintain warm water temperatures even when it isn't super warm outside. Pool heaters are a worthwhile investment if you use your pool a lot since you'll get to enjoy it for far longer each year. Contact a swimming pool service and repair company, such as Splash Swimming Pools, to discuss these three options, which one is best suited for your pool and situation and get a quote on the project.

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