| By heating your swimming pool, you can extend your | | | | hot air energy but are unable to make use of solar |
| swimming season and enjoy more hours of fun and | | | | heaters due to the structure of their roof or other |
| exercise in your private aquatic oasis. These days, | | | | factors. Pool heat pumps are the preferred heating |
| there are a variety of different pool heating options | | | | option among athletic trainers and those who use |
| available that are more effective and efficient than | | | | pools for therapy. |
| ever before. Two of the most common types of pool | | | | Aside from how they work and their performance, |
| heating options available today are pool heaters and | | | | pool heat pumps and pool heaters also differ in terms |
| pool heat pumps. While both of these options have the | | | | of cost. One of the downsides of gas heaters is the |
| same function, they go about heating swimming pools | | | | fact that they are expensive to operate. This is partly |
| in different ways. Pool heaters and pool heat pumps | | | | due to the cost of fuel and partly as a result of the |
| also come with different features and different pros | | | | relatively low efficiency of these heaters, which is |
| and cons. As a result, the type of heating system that | | | | typically in the range of 60 to 80 per cent. The |
| is best for you will depend on a variety of factors. | | | | average swimming pool heated with a propane heater |
| Pool heaters are the type of heating system found in | | | | will typically cost somewhere between $1000 and |
| most privately owned swimming pools. These heaters | | | | $1500 to heat each year while natural gas heaters |
| have been around for many years and are typically | | | | cost approximately half as much to operate. |
| powered by natural gas or propane fuel. As such, | | | | Heat pumps, however, are exceptionally efficient and |
| these gas heaters require either a hook-up to a natural | | | | have a very low cost of operation. Since these |
| gas line or a storage tank for storing propane gas. In | | | | heating systems require so little electricity to work, their |
| order to heat pool water, gas pool heaters burn the | | | | efficiency generally falls somewhere in the range of |
| fuel in a combustion chamber and the heat is then | | | | 300 to 600 per cent. As a result, a typical swimming |
| transmitted into the pool water, raising its temperature. | | | | pool will generally only cost $250 to $500 to heat each |
| Swimming pool heat pumps, on the other hand, heat | | | | year. While pool heat pumps come with a higher |
| water in a different way. The actual pump unit is | | | | purchase price than gas pool heaters, they quickly pay |
| electrically powered and extracts heat from the air, | | | | for themselves due to their impressively low cost of |
| which has been warmed by the sun, and upgrades it | | | | operation. |
| with a compressor before transferring it into the pool | | | | Other factors to consider when choosing between |
| water. Pool heat pumps will function even when the | | | | gas pool heaters or pool heat pumps are longevity and |
| sun isn't actually shining as long as the temperature of | | | | maintenance requirements. Gas heaters typically last |
| the surrounding air is at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit. | | | | for five years or more and warranties on parts will |
| Pool heaters provide the fastest method of heating | | | | generally be in the range of one to five years. Due to |
| swimming pools and are generally best for heating | | | | the high temperatures inside the gas heating unit, these |
| pools for short periods of time. For example, if you | | | | heaters require regular maintenance. Also, repairs for |
| only use your pool on weekends or often find yourself | | | | such heaters can be quite costly. Pool heat pumps |
| needing to heat your pool quickly before guests or | | | | also require periodic maintenance as they consist of |
| visitors arrive, a gas pool heater will provide you with | | | | many electrical parts and moving components. Heat |
| the fast and effective performance that you need. | | | | pumps will generally lasts for at least five to 10 years |
| Gas pool heaters are also a great option for pool | | | | and warranties typically fall in the range of one to 10 |
| owners who like to swim regardless of the state of | | | | years. |
| the weather, as they can easily and effectively | | | | As both types of heating systems come with their |
| maintain any water temperature. | | | | own benefits and drawbacks, the option that will be |
| As for pool heat pumps, this type of heating system is | | | | best for you will be a personal decision that depends |
| also effective regardless of the weather. However, as | | | | on all of the above factors. No matter which type of |
| already mentioned, this only remains true as long as | | | | system you ultimately choose, however, a high quality |
| the air temperature is above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. | | | | heating unit will always provide you with effective |
| Heat pumps can easily maintain water temperatures in | | | | swimming pool heating and an extended swimming |
| the range of 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and are | | | | season. |
| ideal for homeowners who would like to make use of | | | | |