Swimming Pool Heater Basics
Extend Your Backyard Fun Area with Gas, Solar, or a Heat Pump
Nov 3, 2008
A backyard pool and deck is a great investment and provides a spot for family fun, grilling, and entertaining friends. But left unheated, the time it can be enjoyed can be cut short, depending on the severity of the local fall and winter temperatures.
How Pool Heaters are Powered
- Solar Heater Models - These are gaining in popularity since the sun's radiant energy is a renewable resource, making it economical to operate. But is it practical? It is if the solar collectors can be made to generally point south and are unshaded. They are generally mounted on the home's roof, although they can be free-standing if enough real estate is available. The size of the solar radiation collectors should be 50 to 100 percent of the surface area of the pool. A pool cover will allow for minimal collector size. The pump should be properly sized because the larger it is, the more it costs to operate. These are also classified as electric heaters.
- Gas Pool Heaters - Natural gas and propane-fired models remain the most popular. Operation is rather simple: the cooler water is pumped from the pool, through a filter, and then the heater's combustion chamber which heats the water. It's then returned to the pool. Since gas heaters warm the circulated water so quickly, they only need to run when needed, lowering gas utility bills.
- Heat Pumps - Heat pumps great for warming water, just as they are for warming indoor air. Like gas models, the cooler water is pumped from the pool through a filter unit and through the heater. But the heat is generated by pulling outside air over the evaporator coil. The liquid refrigerant in the coil uses the temperature from the outside air to convert it to a gas state. It passes through the compressor which further heats the gas (basic thermodynamics). Next, passing through the evaporator, it transfers the heat to the pool water which is then pumped back into the pool.
Pool Water Temperature Recommendations
The American Red Cross suggests that pool water temperature should be maintained at 78 degrees Fahrenheit for competitive lap swimming (25.5 degrees Celsius). The recommendation for recreational swimming for the elderly and children should be maintained at 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher (26.6 degrees Celsius).
The bottom line is that each degree warmer the water is, results in 10 to 30 percent more in energy consumption and cost. For this reason, it is recommended to use a thermal pool cover when the pool is not in use and to only turn the heat up to the desired temperature right before using it.
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