Solar Heaters
The next cheapest way to heat a pool is through a solar heater. The cost of running a solar pool heater is essentially free, aside from occasional maintenance. The difference is that a solar heater is a lot more expensive to install – often even more expensive than a conventional heater.
If you want an energy-efficient way to heat your pool, consider using a heat pump pool heater in mild climates. Solar water heaters are cost competitive with other types of water heaters and have low annual operating costs.
The Cost of a Gas Heater vs Electric Heater
Electric swimming pool heaters differ quite a lot from gas in terms of costs. The units tend to be more expensive upfront and the cost of installation is a bit more because of their intricacies. However, electric is usually cheaper in the long run.
Natural gas heaters (also known as NG heaters) use about 1 therm per hour per 100,000 BTU's. For a typical size 400,000 BTU pool heater, that's 4 therms per hour. Currently, natural gas runs about $1.50 per therm near Tampa. The average cost to heat a pool for one hour on natural gas is around $ 7.00.
You know those black trash bags? They can hold heat too. Fix one up to a hula hoop and if you want, cut one side of a pool noodle to add buoyancy and you've got yourself a super cheap pool heater.
You can significantly reduce swimming pool heating costs by installing a solar pool heater. They're cost competitive with both gas and heat pump pool heaters, and they have very low annual operating costs. Actually, solar pool heating is one of the most cost-effective use of solar energy in some climates.
In sunny areas, a dark cover will provide some additional heat. When used the right way, a black tarp can help with pool heating. For example, when using the black hose trick, you can lay your black hoses on a black tarp. This can help generate more heat.
Yes, liquid solar covers actually work and quite well. While they don't attract the sun's heat to your pool water, they help reduce water evaporation at night to keep the heat in your water.
If your pool has a total surface area of 400 square feet, 50% offset means you will need a total of 200 square feet of solar panels to heat it. As a reference; a single 4'x12. 5' solar panel has a surface area of 50 square feet, so a system with (4) 4'x12.
On average, natural gas burns about 1 therm per 100,000 BTUs per hour (British Thermal Units). Meaning, an average pool heater between 300,000 and 400,000 BTUs will cost anywhere from $3.30 to $4.40 per hour to heat your pool.
To combat the heat loss, it is recommended to over-size a solar pool heater. One or more panels can be joined to create more surface area. Panels can be installed for above ground and in ground pools, positioned in a variety of ways, and controlled manually by turning a valve or automatically, with a solar controller.
Directly convert solar radiation into usable heat: In an in-ground pool, a cover can increase the water temperature by 5 degrees F for each 12 hours of coverage.
Installing a solar pool heater can take one day or up to three days, depending on a few factors. The larger the system is, the longer it takes to install. Also, some types of roof may require more work. If trenching or concrete work is required, you can expect it to take longer.
Lay a clear tarp over the pool to allow sunlight into it and to do a little insulating in the evenings. I'm in WI and after a lot of reading I ordered a new solar cover this year, clear as it's supposed to let the heat in and then keep it in.
No a water heater won't work. It won't heat fast enough to combat the loss in the pool.
You have a 20,000-gallon pool and use a 125,000 BTU heater. Your water is currently 70 degrees F but you would like it to be a minimum of 80 degrees F. How long will it take before the pool water reaches 80 degrees F? 10 x 1.33= 13.34 hours of heating before the pool reaches 80 degrees F.
Not only will it be tough to keep the heat in your pool on colder nights but you will also spend a fortune trying to heat your swimming pool. So unless you have money to burn, it's best not to run your heater at night on an uncovered swimming pool.
Propane is the most powerful way to heat your pool, and is the most effective option for heating a pool in areas where the temperatures can drop below 60 degrees. The heating capacity of propane pool heaters outperforms any electric heaters, solar heaters, solar covers and heat pumps.