| By heating your swimming pool, you can extend | | | | easily maintain water temperatures in the range |
| your swimming season and enjoy more hours of | | | | of 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and are ideal for |
| fun and exercise in your private aquatic oasis. | | | | homeowners who would like to make use of hot |
| These days, there are a variety of different pool | | | | air energy but are unable to make use of solar |
| heating options available that are more effective | | | | heaters due to the structure of their roof or |
| and efficient than ever before. Two of the most | | | | other factors. Pool heat pumps are the preferred |
| common types of pool heating options available | | | | heating option among athletic trainers and those |
| today are pool heaters and pool heat pumps. | | | | who use pools for therapy. |
| While both of these options have the same | | | | Aside from how they work and their |
| function, they go about heating swimming pools in | | | | performance, pool heat pumps and pool heaters |
| different ways. Pool heaters and pool heat pumps | | | | also differ in terms of cost. One of the downsides |
| also come with different features and different | | | | of gas heaters is the fact that they are |
| pros and cons. As a result, the type of heating | | | | expensive to operate. This is partly due to the |
| system that is best for you will depend on a | | | | cost of fuel and partly as a result of the relatively |
| variety of factors. | | | | low efficiency of these heaters, which is typically |
| Pool heaters are the type of heating system | | | | in the range of 60 to 80 per cent. The average |
| found in most privately owned swimming pools. | | | | swimming pool heated with a propane heater will |
| These heaters have been around for many years | | | | typically cost somewhere between $1000 and |
| and are typically powered by natural gas or | | | | $1500 to heat each year while natural gas heaters |
| propane fuel. As such, these gas heaters require | | | | cost approximately half as much to operate. |
| either a hook-up to a natural gas line or a storage | | | | Heat pumps, however, are exceptionally efficient |
| tank for storing propane gas. In order to heat | | | | and have a very low cost of operation. Since |
| pool water, gas pool heaters burn the fuel in a | | | | these heating systems require so little electricity |
| combustion chamber and the heat is then | | | | to work, their efficiency generally falls somewhere |
| transmitted into the pool water, raising its | | | | in the range of 300 to 600 per cent. As a result, |
| temperature. | | | | a typical swimming pool will generally only cost |
| Swimming pool heat pumps, on the other hand, | | | | $250 to $500 to heat each year. While pool heat |
| heat water in a different way. The actual pump | | | | pumps come with a higher purchase price than |
| unit is electrically powered and extracts heat from | | | | gas pool heaters, they quickly pay for themselves |
| the air, which has been warmed by the sun, and | | | | due to their impressively low cost of operation. |
| upgrades it with a compressor before transferring | | | | Other factors to consider when choosing between |
| it into the pool water. Pool heat pumps will | | | | gas pool heaters or pool heat pumps are |
| function even when the sun isn't actually shining as | | | | longevity and maintenance requirements. Gas |
| long as the temperature of the surrounding air is | | | | heaters typically last for five years or more and |
| at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit. | | | | warranties on parts will generally be in the range |
| Pool heaters provide the fastest method of | | | | of one to five years. Due to the high |
| heating swimming pools and are generally best for | | | | temperatures inside the gas heating unit, these |
| heating pools for short periods of time. For | | | | heaters require regular maintenance. Also, repairs |
| example, if you only use your pool on weekends | | | | for such heaters can be quite costly. Pool heat |
| or often find yourself needing to heat your pool | | | | pumps also require periodic maintenance as they |
| quickly before guests or visitors arrive, a gas pool | | | | consist of many electrical parts and moving |
| heater will provide you with the fast and effective | | | | components. Heat pumps will generally lasts for at |
| performance that you need. Gas pool heaters are | | | | least five to 10 years and warranties typically fall |
| also a great option for pool owners who like to | | | | in the range of one to 10 years. |
| swim regardless of the state of the weather, as | | | | As both types of heating systems come with |
| they can easily and effectively maintain any | | | | their own benefits and drawbacks, the option that |
| water temperature. | | | | will be best for you will be a personal decision that |
| As for pool heat pumps, this type of heating | | | | depends on all of the above factors. No matter |
| system is also effective regardless of the | | | | which type of system you ultimately choose, |
| weather. However, as already mentioned, this | | | | however, a high quality heating unit will always |
| only remains true as long as the air temperature | | | | provide you with effective swimming pool heating |
| is above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat pumps can | | | | and an extended swimming season. |