The Raypak Digital Cupro-Nickel Propane 266k BTU Pool Heater, model 14951, is not the least expensive on our list, but for good reason. As far as pool heaters go, this is the pinnacle. Its 266,000 BTU, propane-fueled, heat production is ideal for most residential above ground or inground pools.
One of the most cost-effective methods for retaining heat in a swimming pool is a solar cover. The root cause of heat loss in a pool is evaporation. Heat rises, so the warm water rises to the top of the pool, and then evaporates into the air.
Efficiency and Installation
By nature, gas heaters have a greater environmental impact than electric. However, electric takes longer to heat up your pool water and is less efficient in colder temperatures. This is because they rely on outside heat to warm up the pool water.
Heat pump heaters tend to last twice as long as gas heaters at about 10 years and, therefore, in the long run, will save you more money.
Calculate the pool surface area in square feet by multiplying the length and the width of your pool. Then, use this formula to figure out the BTUs you'll need your heater to put out: pool area (sq. ft.) x temperature rise x 12.
7-10 years is the average life expectancy of a pool heater.
They are the same exact unit, just a different name badge. Raypak is the parent company. They are the best heater on the market today.
Are Jandy pool heaters good? Yes. Jandy heaters are known for their efficiency and heating capacity, which means they could be more ideal for the environment and your budget than other options.
If you want to get as much time as possible out of your pool, however, a heater is a good investment. With a pool heater, you can easily be swimming May through mid-October, giving you a good five months of use out of your pool. That's literally double the amount of time you'd get without one.
Cost of Running a Propane vs.
The size of your pool also matters, with larger pools costing more to heat than smaller ones. On average, however, a gas heater costs around $200 to $400 a month to run. Electric heat pumps cost less, coming in at about $100 to $200 a month.
Electric heaters might cost between $175 and $600 per month to run, and electric pumps could cost around $120 to $200 per month.
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.
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.
Electric heating works a lot like a toaster. With electric heating, for every kilowatt you pay FPL, you get one kilowatt in the form of heat. So, your efficiency is still 100% compared to 82% for gas heaters mentioned in my video here.
Jandy Legacy
The prices are starting from the $1400 for the least powerful units and finishing with $3600. You may choose between natural gas or propane heaters, units with electronic ignition or millivolt standing pilot, some models are offered with cupro-nickel heat exchanger instead of the standard copper design.
Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Zodiac Marine & Pool, S.A.S., is a global leader in swimming pool and spa products and services. The company's comprehensive product lines are marketed under the leading brand names of Zodiac®, Polaris®, Jandy Pro Series®, Baracuda®, Nature2®, and Cover-Pools®.
TO SIZE A POOL HEATER: First, determine your pool's approximate surface area in square feet. Next, determine the desired temperature difference (or "rise") by subtracting the coldest average air temperature when the pool will first be in use from the desired pool water temperature.
Raypak is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rheem Manufacturing.
From a modest beginning in 1947 in founder Al Whittel's garage in Southern California, Raypak now supplies equipment all over the world from its manufacturing facility in Oxnard, California, and its licensee in England. Raypak's first manufacturing facility was located in El Monte, California.
Raypak is a very well-known and respected brand with a long history of excellence in the design and manufacturing of copper-finned boilers and heaters. In fact, for over 50 years Raypak has been making reliable, energy-efficient boilers, water heaters, and pool & spa heaters right here in California.
When it comes down to it, both pumps have their own strengths and weaknesses. The Hayward EcoStar has better energy efficiency and the Pentair IntelliFlo has a reputation for longevity with a proven track record. It's a close battle between the two pumps and it really comes down to personal preference.
All products manufactured by Hayward Flow Control are warranted against defects in material or workmanship for a period of three years from date of shipment. Our sole obligation under this warranty is to repair or replace, at our option, any product or any part or parts thereof found to be defective.
Pool heaters measure their power in BTU (British thermal units). One BTU raises the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. There are 8.33 pounds of water per gallon. That means that if you have a swimming pool that holds 20,000 gallons, it requires 166,000 BTUs to increase by one degree.