As the weather turns cooler, a perfect topic to bring up is swimming pool heaters. Specifically, whether to install a pool heater or not. Many pool owners, whether new or veteran, don\u2019t have a pool heater and do fine without one. But many owners realize after an extra cold winter, that they want to install a heater. Heaters not only keep pools healthier in frigid temperatures, but also extend the swimming season.<\/p>\n

But what type of heater is best \u2014 gas or heat pumps? Here we will discuss the two types of heaters and the pros and cons of each.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Which Pool Heater Type is Best?<\/h2>\n

Pool heat pumps aren\u2019t for everybody! But for the people who want to install one, which one is best? Gas and heat pumps offer many benefits, but like an electric vs. gas range, it depends on your preference and budget.<\/p>\n

Gas Heaters<\/h3>\n

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Pros<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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• Fast heating<\/li>\n
• Heats in cold temperatures<\/li>\n
• Controller compatible<\/li>\n
• Cheaper upfront cost<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
  \n

  Cons<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

  \n
  • Higher operating costs<\/li>\n
  • Requires more frequent repairs<\/li>\n
  • Not suitable for indoor pools<\/li>\n
  • Not environmentally-friendly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Heat Pumps<\/h3>\n

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    \n

    Pros<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

    \n
    • Fast heating<\/li>\n
    • Low maintenance requirements<\/li>\n
    • Safe to operate<\/li>\n
    • Easy installation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
      \n

      Cons<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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      • Operates at temperatures above 50\u00baF<\/li>\n
      • Slower heat up time<\/li>\n
      • Professional installation required<\/li>\n
      • Higher upfront cost<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        A\u00a0gas pool heater\u00a0may be the best choice if:<\/h3>\n

        \n
        1. You have an attached spa that you want to heat to over 100 degrees<\/li>\n
        2. You plan to heat the pool early in the spring, and late into the fall, or year around.<\/li>\n
        3. Adding a 30-50 amp breaker requires a \u201cHeavy-Up\u201d to your electrical service.<\/li>\n
        4. Your gas meter is located very close to your pool equipment pad.<\/li>\n
        5. You already have a 500 gallon propane tank (LPG) installed on the property.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

           <\/p>\n

           A\u00a0pool heat pump\u00a0may be the best choice if:<\/h3>\n

           \n
           1. You want a more eco-friendly pool heater that doesn\u2019t emit carbon oxides.<\/li>\n
           2. Your pool is usually closed when daily outside temperatures dip below 60\u00baF.<\/li>\n
           3. Slow heat-up is not an issue.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Purchasing a Pool Heater:<\/h3>\n

              When sizing pool heaters, take into account the size of the pool in square footage, an estimate of average wind speed, and whether you will use a pool cover. It also looks at what your optimum temperature rise will be, or how much heat do you need? 10\u00baF is easy, twenty is do-able, but if you need to raise the temperature 30\u00baF or more, you will need a large heater, and probably a gas heater.<\/p>\n

              Placing a Pool Heater:<\/h3>\n

              You may need to make some room near the pool filter to accommodate a pool heater. They are not small, and generally need about a 5\u2019x5\u2032 space for ventilation, exhaust, and service access. Build or buy a suitable pad, so the heater sits dry and level above the surrounding earth. Avoid placing the unit beneath windows, or under overhangs or leaky downspouts. A sunny, dry location is best, without excessive plants, bushes or overhanging trees.<\/p>\n

              Plumbing a Pool Heater:<\/h3>\n

              Once you get it placed on a solid pad, cut the return line after the pool heater, but before any chlorinator or salt system, and redirect the pipes in and out of the heater. You\u2019ll need some basic PVC fittings, like couplings or 90\u2019s, PVC pipe and PVC glue and primer. Simple plumbing for a DIY pool owner.<\/p>\n

              Ask yourself<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 if you had warmer weather, would you and the family swim everyday? If your answer is yes, perhaps an electric\u00a0heat pump<\/strong>\u00a0is the best way to heat your pool. If you only swim on the weekends, running a\u00a0gas heater<\/strong>\u00a0from Friday to Sunday may be the best option.<\/p>\n

              Ask yourself\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 do you want to get another month on each end of the season, or do you want the pool open during the colder months? Heat pumps are limited, in that they only work when the ambient air is 50\u00baF or warmer. If you want to swim all year round (or most of the year), and you live in a cold climate, a heat pump is not for you. In this case, a gas heater would be your best option, to maintain any temperature you desire up to 104\u00baF.<\/p>\n

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              So, have you decided which pool heater is for you yet? Whether you pick a gas heater or a heat pump, your pool will be warm and inviting whenever you want to use it!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              As the weather turns cooler, a perfect topic to bring up is swimming pool heaters. Specifically, whether to install a pool heater or not. Many pool owners, whether new or veteran, don\u2019t have a pool heater and do fine without one. But many owners realize after an extra cold winter, that they want to install…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4182,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,17,49],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n