If you want to use your swimming pool for the better part of the year, you have to choose one of the heating options, electricity, gas or solar power. The optimal solution for your pool is determined by different factors, such as your needs, finances and the physical layout of your pool and house. Let’s learn something about each of these systems.
Electric Heat Pump
This type of heating is recommended for those who will pursue swimming in any weather. Also, it is the method of choice for athletic trainers or therapy, as well as when your home isn’t “solar feasible” (solar panels can’t fit on your roof). When properly sized, a heat pump, can maintain the pool temperature between 80-90 °F (27-32 °C), regardless of weather conditions, and it will work when the outside temperature is higher than 45 °F (7 °C).
Heat pumps use electricity to operate and the sun-warmed air enhances their efficiency. What this practically means is that heat is extracted from the air, increased with a compressor, and transferred back to the water. Owing to its high efficiency, a heat pump has a low cost of operation; for every $1 of electric input, you’ll get around $5 worth of heat. You can learn more about them here.
Solar Heaters
These devices are an excellent solution for recreational pool use, recommended for those who feel comfortable with pool temperatures ranging from 80-85 °F (27-30 °C). In warmer climates, solar can work all year round, while it can extend the season in colder climates. However, there might be periods of inclement weather that will make the pool too cold to use, but few sunny days will bring back comfortable temperatures.
Solar heaters use the sun’s heat, which is free, so they don’t have any operating costs. The existing pool pump simply circulates the pool water through the solar heater, commonly located on your roof, making it warmer. The pump usually comes with a timer, so you should set it to operate during sunlight hours. Since the pool pump has to run for the heater to function, this will probably slightly increase your electric bill, but proper sizing is crucial for optimal performance. Check out this page to find out more about them.
Gas Heaters
If you want to heat your pool only for shorter periods of time, then gas is what you are looking for. Although it is true to say that gas heaters are effective, they are certainly not cheap to operate, so they are pretty convenient for quickly heating your pool every once in a while, if you have a pool in your pied-à-terre, for instance. As a general rule, they are oversized and can maintain any temperature you desire regardless of weather conditions. Additionally, they can serve as the main or backup heater for your spa pool.
These devices can use either natural or propane fuel, burning it in the combustion chamber and then transferring the heat to the pool water. They require a hookup to natural gas or storage for propane gas. The installation of gas appliances must be done by an accredited and trained plumber, remind us the people from the Sydney-based LPZ Plumbing Services. You should know that the low efficiency of gas heaters gives rise to high operating cost, as $1 worth of heat demands at least $1.2 worth of fuel.
Author Bio: Lillian Connors is a blogger and home improvement enthusiast ever so keen on doing various DIY projects around her house and passionately writing about them. She is also an online marketing consultant, closely collaborating with a number of companies from all over the globe. You can check her out on G+, Facebook and Twitter.