One of the big events of every summer for swimming pool owners is the day the pool water is finally warm enough to swim in. The days warm up but the nights are still cool so the heat gained during the day is released overnight. Several weeks may pass before the water warms up enough for swimming. But what if you could lengthen your swimming season by several weeks, or even several months? The good news is: you can, by installing a swimming pool heater.
Swimming pool heaters raise the water temperature during the transitional spring and autumn months and in areas with cool summers. Considerably more heat is lost from above ground pools since they do not have the earth to insulate them and add warmth from the soil. A lot of heat is lost through the exposed sides of an above ground pool.
If a swimming pool heater fits your situation, there are three main types from which to choose.
The most popular, most efficient, least costly pool heaters are the natural gas / propane heaters. Most models can be fitted to whichever form of gas is prevalent in your area. One of the most popular and efficient gas heaters is the Jandy LXi Low NOx heater. Gas heats more water faster (a few hours instead of a few days) and is the best choice where water needs to be heated more than a few degrees, for example, during cool months and if you are heating a spa. Gas heaters are thermostatically controlled to save even more energy. They have an energy efficiency rating between 81% to 95%. Care must be taken to insure that your gas pool heater is properly installed and vented and that all wiring and pipes are covered to insure the safety of your family and guests.
Electric heat pumps draw heat from the outside air, compress it and use it to heat the water in your pool. The AquaPro Pro 600 is an excellent example of a high efficiency, high quality heat pump. It works like your home air conditioner in reverse. Therefore, a heat pump requires an air temperature of 50 degrees Farenheit or above to work effectively. Combining and electric heat pump, used only at night, with a solar heater for daytime heating can help offset the higher cost of electric power.
The third type of swimming pool heater that is rapidly gaining popularity is the solar pool heater. Solar pool heaters operate by passing your pool’s water through black tubes that have absorbed the sun’s heat. The heat is then transferred to the water and returned to the pool by your existing pump. Since it utilizes your pool’s existing pump and filtration system, there is no cost to operate a solar pool heater, but the initial installation cost can be comparatively high. With a solar pool heating system virtually all of the cost is upfront. Over the life of the system you would quickly find it to be the least expensive type of pool heater system to own One note of caution: you should plan ahead carefully to make sure you have sufficient space, either on the ground or on a roof, to install a solar pool heater. You should allow an area equal to the surface area of your swimming pool for your solar array. One side benefit of a solar pool heating system is in areas with very hot summers, the system can be run at night to cool an overheated pool. An Enersol Solar pool heater is an easy-to-install product for in ground pools. Enersol is a long-established, reputable manufacturer that offers one of the longest warranties in the industry.
Whether or not you decide to purchase a swimming pool heating system, a great pool accessory to have is a solar cover or blanket. Solar covers resemble bubble wrap. They contain layers of thin, durable plastic separated by bubbles of air. A solar cover floats on top of the pool. During the daytime, it conducts sunlight into the water to heat it. By night, just like a blanket, the air bubbles prevent the accumulated heat from escaping. A solar cover will increase the effectiveness of any other pool heating method by holding in the heat that is gained during the day. As an added benefit, it will also reduce water and chemical evaporation and prevents dirt and debris from entering the pool while it’s covered, reducing maintenance and stress on your filtration system.
A solar reel makes putting a solar cover on and taking it off much simpler. The reel can be permanently attached to an above ground pool’s side rails.
As you can see, there is a swimming pool heater for just about every situation. Many pool equipment makers are responding to the need for their products to be long-lasting, energy efficient, environmentally responsible and budget friendly. Selecting the right pool heater will be a matter of evaluating the availability and price of energy sources (gas, electric or solar), the size of your pool and the number of degrees you need to raise the water temperature. Choose your swimming pool heater today and start enjoying the benefits right away.
