Deciding to have an indoor pool also entails the decision on which heater works best for you. You get to consider which one is energy efficient, flexible, eco-friendly, and affordable.
Your swimming fun will never be complete without one. Swim season may last only up to three months without a pool heater so acquiring one may give you a more comfortable, worthy, and extended experience. You get to consider which one is energy efficient, flexible, eco-friendly, and affordable.
3 Pool Heater Options
Contents
Well here’s the thing, you have three main types of pool heaters to choose from: gas/propane vs. heat pump vs. solar.
Let’s see how they fare and function for your own convenience to help you choose which one is for you.
- First, is the gas/propane heater. This heater type uses natural gas or propane. It burns the fuel within a combustion chamber and functions independently from outdoor temperature conditions. This warm pool water runs through copper coils.
- Second, comes the heat pump. The heat pumps use solar energy to function. Thus, this heater type Is perfect for those whose climate temperatures reach approximately 55F or higher so it can work properly.
- Third, the solar pool heater. This heater is actually the most efficient in southern climates for an entire year and also works well in extending northern climate swimming time. The pool pump circulates water through the heater using the sun’s energy.
How pocket friendly are they?
Gas/Propane Heater
The gas/propane heater can range up to $300-$500 a month solely depending on which fuel you use. The purchase can cost you under $1,500.
Heat Pump Heater
This heater type is favorably efficient with just a $50-$100 monthly cost. By far this is the most efficient and affordable among our three options. The purchase can cost you under $2000 to $4000.
Solar Heater
The solar heater costs can range from a simple $300 to a skyrocketing $950 in a year This is because the pool pump consumes a lot of electricity as it needs to keep running. Solar heaters are quite pricey as many are available between $4000 and $7000.
You can read more: 2019 How Much Does Solar Pool Heating Cost?
Energy Efficiency
When it comes to energy efficiency let us look into how each type works.
The gas heater produces approximately 800w of heat from 1 kw of gas. It is not energy efficient as it has a COP between 0.80 and 0.85.
Heat pump heaters produce an equal amount of 1kW of heat from 1kW of electricity. It has a COP between 5 and 6 and has a lifespan of ten to 20 years.
Meanwhile, the solar heater cannot guarantee consistent pool heating, as it is dependent on the weather condition. It is energy efficient as it operates with your pool pump and can last a lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
Eco- friendly Level
Nowadays we also need to consider how eco-friendly our home equipment should be and that doesn’t excuse our pool heaters.
Gas/propane heater heats pool water very quickly however it is not environment friendly as it emits air pollution when in use.
Heat pump heaters are environmentally friendly as they use renewable energy source and emit no air pollution.
Solar heaters make use of solar panels to transform heat energy from the sun to your swimming pool. This sounds very eco-friendly since it uses renewable energy source and emits no air pollution.
Given these factors to consider when choosing which type of pool heater to use, it will still always depend on your own circumstances. You must also ask yourself the following questions as a mini checklist:
- What is the average temperature where I live?
- What is the amount of sunshine here in my area?
- How often do I want to use my pool?
- Am I going to have it maximized the whole year?
- Is my pool for swimming, relaxation, or hydrotherapy?
With this helpful information on gas/propane vs. heat pump vs. solar heaters, we hope you are enlightened. Now go buy yourself that much needed pool heater!
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