Natural gas pool heaters are very popular with owners who heat their above ground pools because they have a lower purchase cost than the competing systems. Another advantage of gas heaters is their ability to rapidly raise the pool water temperature. They can also raise the water temperature to higher levels than heat pumps and solar heaters and are used in situations where this is a requirement.
The heat that is generated from the combustion of natural gas is transferred to the pool water in the heat exchanger. The pool water is usually circulated by the existing pool pump if it is adequately sized.
Their low purchase cost is offset by their relatively high operating cost. This is due to the fact that natural gas is a relatively expensive heat source and because gas heaters have a relatively low efficiency. Typically, these heaters operate at an 80% efficiency by the higher efficiency units can be obtained that operate at an efficiency up to 95%.
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 Hayward H250FDN Pool Spa 250 K btu H250 Low NOx heater  US $1,487.83
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 PENTAIR MINIMAX NT POOL HEATER--400,000 BTU'S US $800.00
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 New Hayward 100k BTU Natural Gas Pool / Spa Heater H100 US $649.99
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 Hayward H 300 Pool Heater US $250.00
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 Raypak pilot natural gas IID LowNox 008155F US $45.95
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 Swimming Pool Solar Heater Panel w/ FREE Diverter kit US $159.95
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 Above Ground Solar Pool Heater GAME Aquaquick PRO NEW US $111.11
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 Pentair 150,000 btu natural gas pool heater used 150k US $700.00
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 4x20 Swimming Pool Solar Panel Heater & Diverter Kit US $159.95
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 Hayward H400FDN Pool Spa 400 K btu H400 Low NOx heater US $1,894.98
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 2-2'x20' Above Ground Swimming Pool Solar Heater Panels US $179.99
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 Jandy Propane Swimming Pool Heaters 250,000 BTU US $1,419.99
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 2'x20' Above Ground Swimming Pool Solar Heater Panel-s US $119.95
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 2'x20' Above Ground Swimming Pool Solar Heater Panel US $109.99
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 2--2'x10' Solar Swimming Pool Heater Replacement Panel US $120.00
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 HAYWARD 100K BTU Above Ground Pool Heater Spa Nat Gas US $688.88
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 A/G Pools & Spa Minimax 100 Electric Igni Heater 100BTU US $809.99
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 4x20 Solar Swimming Pool Heater Panel w/ coupler - NEW US $149.50
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 2'x20' Swimming Pool Solar Heater Replacement Panel US $82.00
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 4x20 Solar Swimming Pool Heater-Add on Panel & couplers US $149.95
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Natural gas pool heaters are most efficiently operated by running them for a short period of time. This is quite suitable for heating the water and above ground swimming pools since gas heaters can quickly raise the water temperature. They are best used with pools that are not constantly used and do not need to be continuously heated. It is in this manner that most homeowners use of their pools.
Natural gas pool heaters that use electronic ignition will need access to electrical power, either through a hardwired line or an extension cord. They will also need a supply of natural gas that is piped to them from the utility company. If this is not available, a propane pool heater can be used instead.