Which Heater Is Best for Your Pool?

Florida Living

When it comes to swimming in cooler weather, there are few things more enjoyable than luxuriating in the warmth of your own private heated swimming pool. If you own a pool which does not already have a heating system installed, however, you have a decision to make as to the type of heating system to add. In most cases you’ll be able to choose between gas, electric, and solar heating, and as with most things, each option has its own set of pros and cons.

Electric Heating

An electric heat pump system is an excellent, energy-efficient way of heating your swimming pool. This system includes a heat pump, meaning it doesn’t generate its own heat—it uses electricity to pump heat from another source to the swimming pool.

These work by circulating the pool’s water through a filter and heat pump heater. The heater has a fan which draws air from outside the unit, and uses a system of refrigerants, evaporation coils, and compressors to create heat. The system’s condenser then transfers heat to the pool water which circulates through the heating unit.

Heat pumps are very efficient; however they lose efficiency quickly if the weather turns cool. In general, for this type of system to work efficiently the outside temperature must remain above 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit. The pool will still heat effectively, but if the air outside the unit is cooler it must work harder (and use more energy) to heat the water.

When choosing a system, you’ll need to consider factors such as the size of your pool, when and how you plan to use the system, and your local climate. Efficiency and cost will also be important factors—check the system’s Coefficient of Performance (COP), which measures its efficiency. Higher COP values signify a more efficient system; however different manufacturers use different efficiency tests, so be aware that this is not always a straightforward comparison between different models.

Electric heat pump systems tend to be more expensive than gas heating systems. The flip side is that annual operating costs are generally much lower. A qualified pool professional should be hired to install the system, to ensure it’s installed and configured to work with optimal efficiency. Most systems will need an annual tune-up and periodic servicing, and with proper care will last for ten years or longer.

Advantage… with the use of a solar cover, once the electric heater is set to run automatically, you can swim without “planning your swim”. In other words – it’s constantly warm.

Disadvantage… it is slow to heat up an entire pool. However, once up to temp, with the use of a solar blanket, it’s easier to maintain the temperature.

Gas Heating

Gas-fired pool heating systems have traditionally been the most popular, despite the fact that they’re usually the least efficient. While newer models are much more effective than their older counterparts, solar and electric systems usually win out in terms of heating efficiency. However, this depends on your climate and pool use habits. In colder climates, for example, electric heat pump systems lose efficiency quickly.

Gas-fired systems use propane or natural gas. They draw water through a filter into the heating unit, where gas burning in the unit’s combustion chamber creates heat which is transferred to the water.

These systems really shine when they’re needed to heat water quickly for short periods of time, and for that reason they’re a great option for a pool which isn’t used regularly or to quickly heat a spa. A particular advantage of gas systems is that unlike their electric and solar counterparts, they can maintain any temperature regardless of external weather and climate factors.

The efficiency of new gas-fired systems is measured as a ratio called heater efficiency. This is expressed as a percentage figure. A 55% heater efficient unit, for example, uses 55% of the gas it consumes in heating the water, and 45% of the gas is wasted. An 80% efficient system wastes only 20% of the gas it consumers. More efficient systems are more expensive, of course, but in the long run they do pay for themselves in fuel savings. Switching from a 55% to a 95% system, for example, will save over $400 annually, meaning over five years more than $2,000 is saved.

As with the electric variety, installation of a gas-fired heating system is best done by a professional. Annual tune-ups will be required, and you may even find it’s best to have maintenance work carried out by a professional, too. A well-installed and properly maintained gas system will last five years or more.

Advantage: can heat up a cold pool relatively quickly in comparison to an Electric Heat pump or solar. Can also heat a spa in minutes.

Disadvantage: cost of gas to heat it is expensive. Although there is no reasons why you can’t use one, most pools with gas heaters don’t engage the use of a solar cover, therefore much of the heat is lost on cool nights.

Solar Heating

In many climates, solar heating is the most cost-effective method of heating a swimming pool. Start-up costs for these systems are competitive, and annual operating costs are the lowest of the three types of systems. The downside, of course, is that you’re entirely dependent on your local climate for heating.

Most solar heating systems include four crucial parts: a pump which circulates water, a solar collector through which water is circulated to be heated, a filter which removes debris from water before it enters the collector, and a flow control valve which diverts water to the solar collector.

The solar collector itself is typically a set of panels installed on the roof of the home. Water entering the collector is heated before being returned to the pool, and in hot climates the system can cool the water down by circulating water through the collector during the night.

For installation of a solar heating system, hiring a professional is definitely a must. Proper installation of the unit will depend on factors such as availability of solar resources, your climate, local building codes, and safety issues as well. A qualified solar thermal system contractor is your best bet for installation for these units. For best results, choose a licensed or certified contractor with experience in installing and maintaining the type of system you plan to use.

Depending on your heating needs a solar system may have higher start-up costs than a gas or electric system. The pay-off lies in the fact that a well-installed and maintained solar system will run smoothly for between ten and twenty years.

Advantage: no monthly energy bills! Excellent results in our Florida weather!

Disadvantage: Not great for rapidly heating a spa. Only heats when it’s warm and sunny!

Date: Tuesday, July, 22nd 2008 @ 12:23:40 PM
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