A pool heater may assist in maintaining the ideal temperature of the water in your pool at all times of the day and year, allowing you to make use of your pool for an extended period. People may swim comfortably between temperatures of 78 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures in swimming pools may change significantly from one environment to another depending on a wide range of variables, such as the quantity of rainfall, the size of the pool, and the amount of sunshine it gets. Some heaters can lengthen the swimming pool season regardless of how warm the air is.
When shopping for a pool heater, there are many things to consider. Careful consideration must be given to the type and size. If you do not have the appropriate class or size, you might spend time and money trying to fix problems and faults.
Types of Pool Heaters
There are different types of pool heaters; read on to find out the types and their uniqueness.
Gas Pool Heater
In gas heaters, a flame ignites natural gas or propane, then heat the water as it circulates through the appliance. The water is heated when it touches the hot coils after going through a series of tubes passed over a burner. This causes the water’s temperature to increase.
A gas heater is ideal for locations with lower average temperatures. They can run in all situations, including wind conditions. They also allow you to swim any time of the year. However, a heat pump will add around two to three months to the swimming season.
Gas heaters have another benefit over other kinds: they can resume heating the pool more quickly after switching off than different types. They are the most effective at rapidly increasing the temperature, which makes them perfect for usage on the weekend, when visitors come, or in houses that are second or vacation homes.
The cost of operation for gas heaters is often higher than other kinds of heaters. The process of heating a chilly pool might be quick, but it can demand a lot of energy and, as a result, be rather costly.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps heat the water by drawing in air from the surrounding environment. The fan blows warm air over the evaporator coil, which cools the air. The water exits the heat exchanger and enters the pool via the intake after being heated by the exchanger.
These pumps are not going to work very well at temperatures that are at or below 45 degrees Fahrenheit since they utilize the air that is around them. Because of how slowly they heat the water, they are not a good choice for hot tubs or spas.
If the temperature is comfortable, heat pumps are considerably more cost-effective than gas heaters. They contribute to the preservation of a constant temperature. A heat pump will have substantially lower operating costs if the temperature is kept within a specific range. Heat pumps have a longer lifetime than gas heaters and need less maintenance throughout their service life.
Solar Heaters
A solar heater is a collection of panels often mounted on the roof and designed to heat a swimming pool by absorbing the heat from the sun. The water is circulated through these panels (also known as collectors), which allow the sun’s heat to reheat the water.
The fact that solar energy uses free heat from the sun is the primary benefit of using such a system. Compared to operating the other types of heaters, running a pump to force water through the collectors using electric power is substantially cheaper. They also need very little upkeep and are built to survive many years. Since a solar heater depends on sunshine, its performance will suffer in cloudy or shady environments. They do not provide heating throughout the night.
What Size of Pool Heater Do You Need?
Choosing the perfect pool heater size requires some considerations. Before choosing your pool heater size, read about things to consider.
Pool Size
Calculating the surface area of your pool is the first step in deciding the capacity of the pool heater you want to purchase. Many people who own pools are under the impression that the gallon capacity of their pool should be the primary factor considered when choosing a heater.
When you have a pool with a vast surface area, the heat has more room to escape, and as a result, you will be able to heat a greater volume of water. Consequently, the heater must be sufficiently big to compensate for the pool’s size and surface area.
Multiplying the length by the breadth gives you the surface area of your pool, which you can get using this method. For instance, the surface size of your pool is 300 square feet if it is 10 feet long and 30 feet wide.
Your Requirements and Personal Preferences
This is yet another essential aspect that must be taken into account. You must ask, “How often do you want to heat your pool?” It is possible to use your heater on a need-to-heat basis to combat extremely frigid days; nevertheless, this strategy calls for a more powerful heater that can heat on demand. On the other hand, if you want to maintain a warm temperature in your pool continually, you will need a more compact heater.
Power and Efficiency Considerations
You will most likely have to choose between efficiency and power. If you go with passion, you may lose a few weeks of pool time per year. However, you can combine a solar heater with a gas heater and toggle between the two to find the optimal level of comfort while reducing your carbon footprint and your monthly energy bill.
Learn About Your BTUs
BTUs measure pool heater power (British thermal units). Below is how to determine the BTUs needed to raise the temperature of your pool. One BTU increases 1 lb of water 1°F. Water each gallon weighs 8.33 pounds. To heat a 20,000-gallon pool by one degree, you need 166,000 BTUs. Divide this figure by 24 to get the BTUs needed to increase the temperature by 1 degree in 24 hours. 166,000 24 = 6,916.66. If you wish to raise your pool’s temperature from 60 to 80 degrees, subtract your current temperature from your desired value: 80-60=20. Multiply 6,916.66 BTUs per hour to increase the temperature by 1 degree by 20 to get 138,333. These BTUs per hour will elevate the temperature to 20 degrees in 24 hours.