Swimming Pool Heaters

There are three basic types of swimming pool heaters: electric, gas, and solar. Each has advantages and disadvantages that this article will discuss.

Electric heat pump pool heaters are good choices for people in fairly warm climates who want to extend their swimming season by up to several months. Electric heat pumps are different from electric pool heaters, which can be very inefficient users of electricity. Electric heat pumps pull air in, heat it, then transfer the heat to the water by way of a heat exchanger. This type of heater maintains a consistent water temperature, but works best in climates where warm weather normally precedes and follows the summer months.

Gas swimming pool heaters run on natural gas or propane, which means they require either a propane tank or a connection to a natural gas line. When run constantly, gas heaters can be expensive to operate. This type of swimming pool heater works best for occasional use because they heat up the pool quickly. With gas swimming pool heaters, the water can be kept at a constant temperature regardless of the climate.

As the gas heater circulates the water in the pool, the water is drawn from the pool, through a filter, then to a heater. The gas in the heater’s combustion chamber generates heat that is transferred to that water which is then returned to the pool.

Solar swimming pool heaters use sunlight to heat pool water. The pool pump that is already part of the pool runs the water through a solar heater that is usually on the roof of a nearby building. Of course, solar swimming pool heaters only work in the daytime, and work best if the skies are sunny. Solar pool heaters don’t generally raise the temperature of the pool very much, so they may not be right for all climates. The main advantage of solar pool heaters is their extremely low annual operating costs.

Research Amazon.com to find even more solar power based swimming pool heaters.