If you live in a climate that has an average temperature below 55 degrees and only need to heat your water for short periods of time then this option is ideal.
If you do not want to heat your pool for the entire swim season, and you do not use your pool frequently; only on weekends or several times per week then you will only need to turn on the heater as you use the pool, making gas heaters the most efficient heating method for your application. They are great for heating a pool quickly and will heat water faster than other heating methods and are able to maintain a constant water temperature in any weather conditions.
If you decide on a pool heater, you will need to choose between running the heater on natural gas or liquid propane. Therefore you will need to consider the availability and cost of gas and whether or not a gas line is already installed. Gas heaters also require to be refilled and hooked up to a propane tank. The type of fuel you use should be based on the availability and price of gas and propane in your area.
Gas pool heaters work by using either natural gas or propane gas to create a flame on a gas burner that heat a metal heat exchanger inside the unit.
As the pool pump circulates the pools water, the water drawn from the pool circulates through a filter and then to the pool heater. The gas burns in the heaters combustion chamber generating heat that transfers to the water that is then returned to the pool.
Over time, the circulated pool water will warm up and maintain a constant temperature.
Gas pool heaters are most efficient when heating pools for short periods of time, and are ideal for quickly heating pools. Therefore, a gas pool heater can be a good choice for pools that aren't used on a regular basis. Gas or propane heaters can maintain any desired temperature regardless of the weather or climate.
Pool Heater Installation and Maintenance
Properly installing and maintaining your pool heater will optimize its efficiency, allowing it to typically last five or more years. It's best to have a qualified pool professional install the heater and even perform complicated maintenance or repair tasks.
Read your owners manual for a maintenance schedule and/or recommendations. You'll probably need to tune up your pool heater annually. Also, scaling in the burner or heat exchanger may decrease efficiency over a period of time.
When it comes to choosing the right pool heater we know it can be confusing. We are here to help guide you to pick the highest quality heater from some of the most reliable manufacturers that will give you the highest savings in operational costs and will give you and your family many years of warm water and happy pool experiences.
Many factors depend on how you heat your swimming pool – installation costs, how often you use your pool, size, location and climate. This guide will show you how to calculate the minimum heating capacity for your pool based on your specific application and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision on the best and most economical way to heat your pool.
We can help you choose the right heater for your pool. Fill out our Pool Heater Analysis form to get a comprehensive pool analysis. Estimate heating costs and view your pool heating options.