Discount Above Ground Pool Heaters

Archive for the ‘Pool Heaters’ Category

Nobody enjoys swimming in cold water, which is why most people installing a pool opt for a swimming pool heater to keep the temperature more comfortable. Several options exist, including gas, heat-pump and solar power. Which option is chosen by the pool owner will be determined by their budget.

Understand, most swimming pool heaters operate on the same premise. Water is pumped from the swimming pool, through the heater and back into the pool where the heated water raises the temperature level of the pool water. A thermostat installed on the line into the pump records the temperature of the water in the pool and stops pumping until the temperature drops below a pre-set temperature.

How the water is heated is what determines the cost. There are two variables to consider when deciding the type of swimming pool heater is best for your pool. The initial cost and the annual operating cost. Some may offer cheaper installation costs, but prices of utilities and the climate in the area, may make them expensive to operate during the season.

Installation And Operating Expenses
Of the three main types of swimming pool heater, gas, either natural or propane, is the cheapest for initial installation. For comparison purposes an example of a 15 foot by 30 foot kidney shaped pool will be used. A gas swimming pool heater will cost roughly $1,200 and another $500 for installation. A homeowner can usually install a swimming pool heater themself, but it is highly recommended that connections for gas and electric be left to a licensed professional.

A heat pump swimming pool heater is more expensive to install, about $3,900 including installation and a solar powered swimming pool heater will run about $3,000 with installation. Their operating costs are what sets them apart.

A gas swimming pool heater will cost about $1.20 to realize a dollar’s worth of heat. On an average, it’s expected to cost between $1,000 and $1,500 per season to operate on propane. Depending on the price of natural gas in the area, it could cost about 50 percent less.

A heat pump swimming pool heater, on the other hand will cost about 20 cents for $1,00 worth of heat, bringing the annual cost of between $250 to $500 per year, which can offset the initial cost. A solar powered swimming pool heater will cost about $30 to $75 in electric to operate the pump required for water circulation, but not for the power itself.

Swimming is something that most everyone considers a warm weather summer activity.  But when the weather cools if you have the right gas pool heater you can enjoy your pool, swim spa or hot tub year round no matter where you live.

How Gas Pool Heaters Work

Pool heaters work by re-cycling water, so the water will not be hot to the touch when it comes through the pool jets or inlets.  Heat is added gradually as the water is turned over in the pool.

Heat pumps, used in conjunction with a “solar blanket”, open the door to swimming on a daily basis in 85 degree water.  Like a gas heater, the heat pump has the same requirements to operate.  The pump must be operating efficiently, the filter must be clean, and the thermostat must be high enough to activate the heater.

Your heat pump runs on electricity.  It requires 50 to 60 amps to run properly.  Although it is much more economical to operate a heat pump, it heats your pool much slower than a gas-fired heater.  Heat pumps are usually rated anywhere from 90,000 to 150,000 BTU’s, whereas a gas heater is typically between 250,000 to 400,000 BTU’s.

Common Complaints!

The most common complaint we hear about heat pumps is “my heat pump is not working!”  However, if the fan is turning and it is blowing out cool, de-humidified air – that it IS working and you just need to give it more time.

Another concern we often hear about is leaking.  However heat pumps, just like air conditioning units, create condensation when functioning properly.  So it is normal to have water leaking from the outlet at the bottom of the heater.

Advice for getting the most of out your gas pool heater:

Your gas heater will only operate properly if the following factors exist:

Your pump must be operating efficiently Your filter must be clean Your Electronic Controller (PDA) must have the temperature set high enough to activate the heater

Therefore, if your pump strainer basket is full of leaves, or if your filter is dirty, or if your pump is not primed, your heater will not work.  If your controller has your pool set to come up to 85 degrees and your water is already 86 degrees, your heater will not work.

One problem that has become much more prevalent lately is insufficient gas supply to the heater.  In order for a gas heater to work properly, a commercial gas meter will be required.

In addition, a “dedicated” line of sufficient size is absolutely necessary for the heater to function.

Article by:  Charles Elfert

Most likely, you decided to own a swimming pool for a number of reasons, including recreation, fitness and entertainment.  Therapeutic reasons may have also played a part in your decision.  However, if your pool is not heated you may find that the water is often not warm enough for you to be able to enjoy using your pool comfortably.  This will likely be particularly true at the beginning and the end of the normal swimming season.  By heating your swimming pool, however, you can significantly extend the swimming season, allowing you and your family to get far more use and enjoyment out of your pool.

One of the best and most efficient ways to heat swimming pools is with heat pump pool heaters.  While they require electricity to operate, swimming pool heat pumps are actually a type of solar heater.  These heaters work by capturing heat from the air, upgrading it and transferring it to the pool water.  More specifically, heat pumps for swimming pools draw air in from the atmosphere with a fan, which then directs the air over an evaporator coil.

This coil contains liquid refrigerant which absorbs the heat from the air and transforms into a gas.  The warm gas then moves into a compressor which increases the heat before sending the gas through a condenser.  Once inside the condenser, the heat from the hot gas gets transferred to the cool pool water which circulates through the heating unit.  As this occurs, the water temperature rises and the heated water passes back into the swimming pool.  The hot gas is then transformed back into a liquid and returned to the evaporator coil, completing the cycle and allowing it to start anew.

Since heat pump pool heaters capture heat from the air rather than relying on direct rays from the sun to create heat, they are able to operate and heat pools even when the sun is not shining.  In fact, swimming pool heat pumps will operate as long as the outside temperature is above 45°F.  This is a great benefit, especially for people who want to be able to swim and enjoy their pool even during cloudy and slightly cooler weather.  This characteristic of heat pumps for swimming pools will also allow you to start heating your pool before the warmest days of summer arrive, providing you with more days of swimming fun each year.

At the same time, heat pumps for pools also offer excellent efficiency and long-term affordability.  As long as the outdoor air temperature stays above 45°F, heat pump pool heaters can easily maintain a pool temperature between 80 and 90°F and do so far more efficiently than even the most efficient gas pool heaters.  Heat pumps for swimming pools will usually have a higher system unit cost than gas heaters, with heat pump units costing in the range of $1600 to $4600 and gas units costing in the range of $875 to $5,500.  However, in the long run, heat pump pool heaters often turn out to be a better investment.

There are two main reasons why this is true.  To begin with, despite the higher initial cost, swimming pool heat pumps have a far lower annual operating cost than gas heaters.  This is because heat pumps use electricity to operate and do so very efficiently.  In fact, it's typical to receive approximately $1 worth of heat for every 20 cents of electric input.  As compared to the efficiency and operating costs of gas pool heaters, this is very attractive.  Furthermore, heat pumps for pools will generally last much longer than gas heaters.  While gas heaters usually last for at least five years, heat pump pool heaters have an average lifespan of at least five to 10 years.

The size of heat pump that you will require will depend on the size of your pool.  However, heat pumps for swimming pools will usually have an installation cost of approximately $350 to $950 which is similar to the installation cost for gas heaters.  While handy pool owners may be able to install the unit on their own, it's highly recommended to have all electrical hook-up work performed by a professional in order to ensure safety and proper, efficient operation of the heating unit.

All in all, swimming pool heat pumps provide an excellent option for keeping pool water comfortably warm and extending the swimming season.  By operating even during cloudy weather and by offering efficient, affordable operation, heat pump pool heaters provide pool owners with many great benefits.  Perhaps best of all, using a heat pump to keep your pool warm will allow you to get more days of enjoyment out of your pool so you can make the very most of your investment.

By heating your swimming pool, you can extend your swimming season and enjoy more hours of fun and exercise in your private aquatic oasis. These days, there are a variety of different pool heating options available that are more effective and efficient than ever before. Two of the most common types of pool heating options available today are pool heaters and pool heat pumps. While both of these options have the same function, they go about heating swimming pools in different ways. Pool heaters and pool heat pumps also come with different features and different pros and cons. As a result, the type of heating system that is best for you will depend on a variety of factors.

Pool heaters are the type of heating system found in most privately owned swimming pools. These heaters have been around for many years and are typically powered by natural gas or propane fuel. As such, these gas heaters require either a hook-up to a natural gas line or a storage tank for storing propane gas. In order to heat pool water, gas pool heaters burn the fuel in a combustion chamber and the heat is then transmitted into the pool water, raising its temperature.

Swimming pool heat pumps, on the other hand, heat water in a different way. The actual pump unit is electrically powered and extracts heat from the air, which has been warmed by the sun, and upgrades it with a compressor before transferring it into the pool water. Pool heat pumps will function even when the sun isn't actually shining as long as the temperature of the surrounding air is at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pool heaters provide the fastest method of heating swimming pools and are generally best for heating pools for short periods of time. For example, if you only use your pool on weekends or often find yourself needing to heat your pool quickly before guests or visitors arrive, a gas pool heater will provide you with the fast and effective performance that you need. Gas pool heaters are also a great option for pool owners who like to swim regardless of the state of the weather, as they can easily and effectively maintain any water temperature.

As for pool heat pumps, this type of heating system is also effective regardless of the weather. However, as already mentioned, this only remains true as long as the air temperature is above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat pumps can easily maintain water temperatures in the range of 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and are ideal for homeowners who would like to make use of hot air energy but are unable to make use of solar heaters due to the structure of their roof or other factors. Pool heat pumps are the preferred heating option among athletic trainers and those who use pools for therapy.

Aside from how they work and their performance, pool heat pumps and pool heaters also differ in terms of cost. One of the downsides of gas heaters is the fact that they are expensive to operate. This is partly due to the cost of fuel and partly as a result of the relatively low efficiency of these heaters, which is typically in the range of 60 to 80 per cent. The average swimming pool heated with a propane heater will typically cost somewhere between $1000 and $1500 to heat each year while natural gas heaters cost approximately half as much to operate.

Heat pumps, however, are exceptionally efficient and have a very low cost of operation. Since these heating systems require so little electricity to work, their efficiency generally falls somewhere in the range of 300 to 600 per cent. As a result, a typical swimming pool will generally only cost $250 to $500 to heat each year. While pool heat pumps come with a higher purchase price than gas pool heaters, they quickly pay for themselves due to their impressively low cost of operation.

Other factors to consider when choosing between gas pool heaters or pool heat pumps are longevity and maintenance requirements. Gas heaters typically last for five years or more and warranties on parts will generally be in the range of one to five years. Due to the high temperatures inside the gas heating unit, these heaters require regular maintenance. Also, repairs for such heaters can be quite costly. Pool heat pumps also require periodic maintenance as they consist of many electrical parts and moving components. Heat pumps will generally lasts for at least five to 10 years and warranties typically fall in the range of one to 10 years.

As both types of heating systems come with their own benefits and drawbacks, the option that will be best for you will be a personal decision that depends on all of the above factors. No matter which type of system you ultimately choose, however, a high quality heating unit will always provide you with effective swimming pool heating and an extended swimming season.

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