Whether you have an above ground or an inground pool, a pool heater can really extend your swimming season. With so many options to choose from, picking the right heater for your pool can be overwhelming. Let us take the guesswork out of it for you, as we break down the different types of pool heaters and help you choose the right one for your unique swimming pool.
The first thing to consider when choosing a pool heater is the power source. There are a few different types of pool heaters to choose from including: gas heaters, which get their power from natural gas or propane; electric heaters and heat pumps which run off of electricity; and solar heaters which use energy from the sun to heat the pool. Each type of heater has its pros and cons.
Gas pool heaters are the most popular option because they are the fastest type of pool heater. Gas heaters can add 1 - 3 degrees F per hour to the water temperature. They are also preferred in colder environments, as gas heaters are able to raise water temperatures year round, even when air temperatures are significantly colder. Gas heaters are considered the best option for large pools in colder climates.
In order to install a gas pool heater, a natural gas line or propane tank is required. While natural gas is relatively inexpensive, propane gas is pricier, and you will need to have it delivered regularly. These types of pool heaters are not as eco-friendly as electric pool heaters, but they do cost less to operate. New models are increasingly environmentally friendly. Look for the low NOx emissions label for a more energy efficient model.
Electric pool heaters are only recommended for very small pools and hot tubs, as they heat the pool water much more slowly (1 - 3 degrees F per day). They are great for small spaces, as the units themselves are usually much smaller than gas heaters. While they are inexpensive to purchase, electric heaters have high operating costs, and do not work well in cold temperatures.
In electric pool heaters, a resistor element is immersed in a heating chamber, where it heats the water as it passes through. They require a 240 V outlet that is located close to the pool area, and may even require some changes to your electrical panel.
Heat pumps also run off of electricity and require a 240 V outlet, but they work in a different way, extracting heat from the surrounding air and employing an evaporator, compressor, and condenser to heat the water.
Other than solar heaters, heat pumps are widely considered the most eco-friendly option in pool heaters, as they require very little electricity to run day-to-day. Units are quiet, small, and very energy efficient. They are, however, more expensive to purchase up front and do not work as well if the outside air temperature is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Finally, solar pool heaters are of course the greenest option available, using only the sun’s energy to warm the pool water. A solar heater uses solar panels to collect the heat from the sun. The heat is stored in solar collectors, then water is pumped from the pool into the collectors, where it is heated and returned to the pool.
Solar heaters take much longer to raise the pool temperature than other types of pool heaters. The downside of solar panels is that they cannot work at night and they are much less effective on cloudy and cold days. The solar panels require a large amount of space and should be professionally installed.
While solar heaters can be expensive to install, they are extremely durable, having a lifespan of twenty years or more, and they cost nothing to run.
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