A good swimming pool heater may extend your family’s swimming season by several months, allowing you to swim into the fall in many parts of the country—and even into the winter in certain warmer areas.
You’ll never have to jump into a chilly pool again if you can control the water temperature. If your pool has an inground spa, you’ll be able to rapidly heat it up for hot, relaxing hydrotherapy after a long day. Pool heaters now are designed to give years of dependable, efficient service. However, it will ultimately wear out and need to be replaced, just like any other piece of equipment.
Replacing Your Pool Heater, What To Consider
If it’s time to replace your pool heater, this article encompasses what you should know before you buy. The cost of a pool heater is considerable. You want the most efficient one for your pool and need to know how you use it. Here’s what you should know before purchasing a new unit.
There are three types of heaters to choose from.
There are three major types of pool heaters: gas, solar, and electric heat pump. Although solar and heat pumps are gaining traction in some parts of the country, natural gas systems are still the most popular choice among pool owners overall.
There are numerous explanations for this. The first is that natural gas is readily available and reasonably priced in most major cities across the country. Many homes already have natural gas lines, making it relatively simple to plumb and install a gas heater.
Gas heaters also have a longer lifespan than solar or heat pump heaters. Today’s top-of-the-line gas units often last seven to ten years with correct installation and maintenance.
A solar heater may now be a smart option depending on where you live in the United States—especially if you live in a location with plenty of sunshine or in a state that gives rebates for acquiring this green technology.
Solar systems have a high initial investment, and while they won’t heat your pool as fast as a gas heater, they will cost much less to operate and save money in the long run—especially if you want your pool heated for a large portion of the year.
An electric heat pump is another option for heating backyard pools. These electric-powered units pull heat from the surrounding air in the same way that an air conditioner does in reverse.
They are more efficient than gas heaters at delivering heat, and they function especially well in hotter regions (except for certain desert climates).
These systems, on the other hand, do not heat the pool or spa as quickly as gas heaters, and therefore are initially more expensive to purchase. A heat pump remains a good alternative for people who desire a heated pool almost year-round for near-daily use, such as regular lap swimmers.
Gas heaters have a number of advantages
Natural gas or propane are used to power gas pool heaters. Water is drawn into a combustion chamber to make them work. The heat generated inside the chamber is transferred to the water, which is subsequently returned to the pool warmed.
Because gas heaters transfer heat quickly, they’re ideal for boosting pool temperature for short periods of time or quickly warming an inground spa. Gas heaters, unlike heat pumps and solar systems, may help raise water temperature regardless of the weather or amount of sunlight available.
Most gas types are less expensive than a heat pump or a solar system. Gas pool heaters range in price from $1500 to $3500, including standard installation, depending on the size and thermal capacity. (However, you will incur additional costs if you need to install a gas supply connection.)
Choosing the correct gas heater for your pool
If your current heater has served you well, replacing it with one of the same size and model is a simple task. But, before you pursue this way, make sure you’ve done your homework. It can save you a lot of money because equipment manufacturers are constantly improving the efficiency and affordability of gas heaters.
If your existing heater was installed more than three to five years ago, or if your pool heating bills appear to be more than they should be, researching today’s models could save you a lot of money in the long term!
Focus on three main factors when choosing a replacement heater for your pool or hot tub: size, efficiency, and operating expenses.
How to Choose the Correct Gas Heater Size for Your Pool
The quantity of heat emitted per hour determines the “size” of a gas pool heater. BTU (British thermal unit) output is the term for this type of performance. The amount of work required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit is represented by this measurement.
The smallest gas pool heaters have a BTU rating of 75,000, while the largest have a BTU rating of 500,000. Keep in mind that these BTU numbers are sometimes abbreviated by deleting the zeros for ease; don’t be shocked to see numbers like “100” instead of “100,000.”
The most significant point that pool experts should emphasize to clients is that the heater’s original efficiency rating does not remain constant over time. Unfortunately, due to a lack of maintenance, most heaters lose efficiency with time. If the client wants warmer water while spending less money, they’ll need to upgrade to a newer, higher-efficiency heater. One of the simplest ways to convey heater efficiency to a customer is to inform them that if a heater is 82 percent efficient, 82 cents of every dollar spent on gas goes towards heating the pool water, while the other 18 cents goes up the chimney or into the sky.
Using an online cost calculator will give the consumer a more precise picture of how much money they would save each year if they had a new heater installed. Some manufacturers offer tools that allow professionals to enter the pool’s dimensions to calculate the total liters/gallons of water being heated as well as the customer’s preferred water temperature. In addition, pool technicians can utilize an internet calculator to calculate the cost of heating the water and compare it to what the customer is paying now. In most circumstances, the customer will discover that changing to a newer, more energy-efficient heater will save them up to 30% on their energy expenses.
