Pool Heater Varieties And Kinds
The most common method to heat a pool is using gas. Gas heaters work using either propane or natural gas. This gas is burned in a combustor and circulating water is then heated. The benefit of using gas to heat a pool is that is works well and quickly. It also works year round, in all temperatures. Unfortunately, these heaters work best if only used for a short time and not very often. If a pool needs to be heated for long and frequent use, a different heater is necessary.
Unlike gas, heat pump heaters do not burn fuel and create their own heat. Instead they use heat gathered from the outside air, and transfer it to a liquid refrigerant. In turn, this refrigerant then turns into a hot gas which then transfers its heat to the pool water.
Heat pumps work in a more limited range of temperatures than the gas heaters. Efficiency is optimal only from forty five to fifty degrees Fahrenheit. When outside air is particularly cold, there is less heat to draw from it and more energy is required. These pumps are more expensive than gas heaters but are more efficient and save money long term. They also generally have a longer lifespan.
The third main pool heating system is the solar heater. Solar heaters capture solar energy which uniformly reaches circulating water. How much this system costs to set up and run is variable. Set up alone can deviate by thousands of dollars, and fuel prices rise and fall as well. Depending on climate, they may be more or less effective. Of the three, solar heaters are the most long-lasting.
Correctly sizing a heater, no matter what kind, is very important. If it is too small it may not work properly. Gas and heat pump heaters must be sized while taking certain factors into account. Some factors that should be noted are pool surface area and temperature deviations in the pool and in the outside air.
Other elements, like wind and humidity, also affect heating. With increasing wind speeds and cooler outdoor temperatures, a larger heater will be needed. A formula using desired water temperature, different outdoor temperatures, and pool surface area can help determine what sized heater to purchase.
These same things affect the size of a solar heating system. However, other factors must be considered as well. Sun availability and optimal placement of solar collectors are important. Calculations must be done to determine just how much paneling is needed. In cold climates or in cloudy areas, more solar collectors will be required.
There are three main types of heaters available: gas, heat pump and solar. Among these, the gas heater is the fastest and most efficient over the shortest amount of time. It is also the best option for all-round pool use, as it operates optimally in all conditions. However, heat pump heaters last longer and in the end, save the consumer money on electricity bills.
Solar heaters have the most unknowns in costs, but are the longest lasting of the different heating types. However, no matter what type of heater is used, size matters. If a heater is incorrectly sized it will not work properly.
