Choosing the right swimming pool heater
is an individual decision. Swimming pools aren’t just for summer
enjoyment. Many people love to swim throughout the year for exercise,
socialization or relaxation. If you live in a region where the climate
changes very quickly, or you just don’t like cold water, a pool heater
might be a good thing to have under your belt. Once you make a decision
to get a pool heater, the next choice is what kind of heater to buy.
Now
that you are considering heating your pool, you’ll need to decide on
the type of heater and your budget for the installation. The next
question is whether or not you’re going to cover the pool with a blanket
when not in use. For simplicity, let’s divide pool heating equipment
into three types: Gas, Electric and Solar.
Gas
heaters are available in two types, natural gas and methane. One
advantage for gas heaters is the ability to heat the water relatively
quickly.
The second category to consider is
electric. This category can be divided into two types: Immersion and
Heat Exchangers. Because of the high cost of electric immersion heaters,
they are only practical in small pools and spas. Heat exchangers
typically are higher in cost to purchase, but lower than gas to keep the
pool heated. Heat exchangers use time proven technology which is
similar to an air conditioner working in reverse. Heat exchangers are
not designed to rapidly heat the pool, but slowly heat the pool and then
maintain the desired temperature.
Finally, solar
heaters - these are intermediate in cost and practically nothing to keep
the pool heated. Solar heaters are sized according to the surface of
the pool. Look at the surface and determine where all those panels will
be placed.
One of the first things mentioned to
consider is whether you are going to cover the pool with a blanket when
not in use. This will greatly reduce the cost of heating your pool
regardless of the type of pool heater you may consider. If you decide
not to buy a heater, consider Solar blankets, which are a low-cost,
effective way of heating your pool. They are capable of raising the
temperature in a pool between 5 and 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Can you
imagine 80 degrees versus 70 degrees? Solar blankets can easily extend
the swimming pool season 1-2 months on each end of the cold winter
months.
Considering all your options will definitely help you to decide the exact type of swimming pool heater you require.
You give very good advice about the range of heaters that are available. Safety of course should be the top priority. I recently opted for a heated swimming pool, and a fantastic local firm helped to design and then install it for me. It was also a lot cheaper than finding a sepeatre heater for a pool.
ReplyDeleteBenton @ Pool Solar & Spa