Advantages and Disadvantages of Pool Heaters

Continued Usage: In the colder months, it can be difficult to motivate yourself or other members of the family to continue using the pool. With pool maintenance taking a decent sized chunk out of your bill, it can often make you question installing a swimming pool in the first place. A pool heater takes that out of the equation, allowing year round usage. You can keep the pool cold in the warmer months and warm in the cooler months.

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Recreational: Through using a pool heater, you and the family can still have a splashing good time. Without the added displeasure of freezing cold temperatures, you can still have fun playing pool games and float on a bed of warm water.

Fitness: Without a pool heater, especially in cooler temperatures, the pool has difficulty regulating the temperature. This can add pointless stress onto your body, potentially causing health problems. For the more serious swimmers out there, having a pool that has a regulated temperature means that you can continue your training year round, without worrying about the aforementioned issues.

Solar Heating works by utilising the sun to power up the heater for free, repeating the process of filtering the pool water through using the solar panels.

This method of heating means that for it to work at its most efficiently, you would need to be positioned in a place where it is often sunny. This is because the sun must hit the solar panels in order for them to transfer that heat into the pool water through a unique filtration system.

Even if the house isn’t in the best area for the sun to reach the pool, the solar panels could still be positioned to maximise where the sun does shine over.

Electric Heating works through pumping the pool water through a heating tank and pumping it back out at a higher temperature. Because the water is constantly being rotated through the different hot and cold channels, the pool remains warm.

Electric heaters are commonly known for being more eco-friendly and more efficient, however unlike the gas heating, it doesn’t heat up as quickly due to the heat being available at that exact moment, compared to electric heaters where it needs time to heat up.

Gas Heating is a relatively cheaper expense, in comparison to the previous two heating options. This method also heats up a lot faster than the previous two options, eliminating the long wait time for the pool to warm. This method uses natural gas or propane as fuel.

In colder temperatures, choosing this option may be a better investment. Though the carbon emissions for gas is relatively high, it is more efficient to heat up your pool.

Another way to keep your pool warm in the winter season is to invest in a solar cover. Solar covers are placed over the pool and as the sun heats the water through the cover, the heat becomes trapped underneath, warming the water.

Solar pool covers are a lot cheaper than the other heating options as all it needs is to be in a location where the sun shines regularly. However, this is not a primary factor in why choosing solar covers is a positive thing.

Aside from heating up the pool, it can also save you money on your electricity bill. As the sun is not yet owned by any major corporations, it remains a free expense. 

Heat pumps are another great option for a pool heating system. They are energy efficient (perhaps more so than the electric heating option) and have fairly low running costs in comparison to the previous options. 

Think of them as a fridge that works in reverse. Instead of pumping cold air into a closed space, they suck in warm air from the surrounding atmosphere and filter it out to the pool through the use of a piping system.

They are easy to install, as opposed to the other heating options. The only cons of this are its expensive price and how the heating isn’t as fast as the gas heaters.

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Each pool is different and it really depends on the size of the pool and the location of the pool and house. All factors that contribute to choosing the best possible choice for a pool heater. See our full pool range here!

Your budget will also be a factor in choosing a pool heater, and its important to note that choosing a low priced heating system may contribute to the overall quality. In this case, it may be better to choose quality over a low cost heating system.

The bottom line is that heating your pool is a great option, so you can use your pool year round. There are many positives to investing in a pool heater, and through some extensive research into those options, it can be a worthwhile investment.

Barrier Reef Pools New Zealand is all about bringing your dream fibreglass pool to life. While we don’t sell pool heaters, we are experienced in the pool industry and would love to help you find a suitable pool heater with our partners. Give us a call today so our friendly team can help out! 

If you’re looking to open your swimming pool earlier in the spring and keep it open later in the fall and winter, pool heaters and pool heat pumps are important to your extended swimming plan.

But what is the difference between a swimming pool heater and a pool heat pump? What do pool heaters cost? Which option is more effective for certain ownership situations? To help you make an educated decision before purchase, we’ll help you understand the main features of a pool heater vs. a pool heat pump.

Pool Heaters

Swimming pool heaters are the most popular option for heating pools. Heaters utilize natural gas, propane, or electricity to heat water returning back into your pool. They have a lower upfront cost and raise water temperatures quickly. Although heaters have a lower upfront cost than heat pumps, they require the ongoing expense of propane, natural gas, or electricity. The ongoing operational cost of pool heaters typically exceeds the expense of running a heat pump.

Depending on the type of fuel used (propane or natural gas) and the geographic location of your pool, the cost to heat your pool can range from about $3.00 to $9.00 per hour. Natural gas heaters typically cost a few dollars less per hour vs. propane heaters. Depending on where you live, natural gas can also cost up to 85% less than propane gas. On the flip side, propane might be the most readily available fuel source in your region.

BONUS TIP: Propane and natural gas pool heaters are two of the most common types of heaters, and do a stellar job of keeping your pool toasty. But is one better than the other? Check out this article and see which one is right for you.

Heat Pumps

An electric pool heater, also known as a heat pump, is another great option if propane or natural gas won't work for your pool. Electric heaters are unique in that they're 100% efficient, compared to propane or gas heaters, which are usually only around 84% efficient. However, these electric units are often smaller and may yield a lower BTU output than their traditional gas or propane counterparts. Because of this, they may not be able to heat the pool as quickly as larger heaters, so they are typically only reserved for smaller indoor and outdoor pools or for spas and hot tubs.

Electric heaters are a reliable way to heat any pool, but they will significantly increase your monthly electric bill, especially for larger outdoor units. Electric heaters consume significant electricity, and often require at least a 60 amp circuit breaker with wiring to carry 240 volts. Larger models may require higher amperage circuit breakers and 3-phase power.

Heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular for pool owners. They use the ambient air surrounding the unit to heat your pool. The air passes over an evaporator coil, and the heated refrigerant transfers the heat to the water before returning back into your pool. This process does not require natural gas or propane resources, lowering utility costs. Heat pumps cost about $0.63 an hour to run on electricity; a fraction of the cost of propane or natural gas pool heaters.

Although running costs are low, heat pumps do have a slight disadvantage. Since heat pumps use the surrounding (ambient) air around the unit, they only work well when temperatures are higher than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. When temperatures drop below 50 degrees, heat pumps lose the ability to efficiently heat your pool water.

To learn more about how heat pumps work, be sure to read our detailed article, How Do Pool Heat Pumps Work?

Conclusion

Both heaters and heat pumps are a great solution for pool owners looking for effective ways to heat their pool water. The main deciding factors between a pool heater vs. a heat pump will be your location, budget, and heating needs. If you live in a colder climate and want to enjoy the longest pool season as possible, you should probably lean towards a natural gas, propane, or electric pool heater. However, if you want something that will save you money in the long run, and you live in a climate that does not drop below 50 degrees often, a heat pump may be the way to go.