Adding a heater to your swimming pool helps you extend the swimming season so you can enjoy water at the perfect temperature whenever you want. Since a Heat Pump transfers warmth from the air to your pool, it helps you enjoy a heated pool when you want it without a big increase in your energy costs.
It's true – when the weather is beautiful outside it's not essential that you need a pool heater, but if you want to keep using your pool all year round then a pool heater is ideal. Of course, in some states this is not possible to keep swimming in the winter because the weather is just too cold.
A pool heater takes water from the pool and takes it to a heating tank that sends warmer water back into the pool. This is an exchange of cold and warm water that keeps your pool at a comfortable temperature, even if it is cold outside.
Heating your above ground pool can make swimming more comfortable as it extends your pool season each year. Just imagine taking a dip in the warm water at night as the fall chill settles in around you.
Just like inground pools, above ground pools can have both heat pumps and gas heaters added. Plus installation is a fairly simple and straightforward process.
So, how much electricity does a pool heat pump use? About 5 kilowatts per hour per 100,000 BTU heat pump. For a general 100,000 BTU pool heat pump, the power you`ll utilize is approximately 5,000 Watts per hour. Typically, the National average for power stands at 13 cents for every kilowatt-hour.
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.
Heat pump pool heaters work efficiently as long as the outside temperature remains above the 45ºF–50ºF range. The cooler the outside air they draw in, the less efficient they are, resulting in higher energy bills. However, since most people use outdoor pools during warm and mild weather, this usually isn't an issue.
Most gas pool heaters feature their efficiency percentage on their nameplates. A pool heater's manufacturer can also provide its efficiency percentage. Today, you'll find some gas pool heaters with 89%–95% efficiency.
We have found that turning the heater off at night allows the water to cool rapidly. The heater then has to burn at a higher rate in the morning to make up the lost heat. The higher you turn the burner the lower the heating efficiency and the greater the heat loss from the exhaust gases.
Without a heater it very much depends on the weather. A number of hot sunny days or quite a few cool cloudy days, anything from two days to a month. It also very much depends on how much you want to get in the pool, ie are willing to try the pool at cooler temperatures.
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.
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.
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.
A 100,000 BTU heater uses 1 therm of natural gas per hour, so a 400,000 heater consumes 4 therms an hour. 4 therms an hour x $1.67 = $6.68 per hour. So the magic number based on the most common 400,000 BTU pool/ spa heater is $6.68 per hour in gas cost to run your heater.
Solar pool heaters are the most cost-effective option that uses the sun's energy to heat your swimming pool water. It uses solar collectors, filter, pump and flows control valve to heat the pool in a way that is very economical. In fact, it pays for itself within 3-5 years and incurs almost negligible operating costs.
Heat Pumps can help save you money!
This is a much more efficient way to heat your pool's water. To cool your pool's water, the process is reversed. In cooling mode, heat pumps pull heat out of the water and put it back in the air, when Mother Nature decides to turn up her thermostat.
A pool heat pump should not be left running all the time. For one, you are wasting electricity by keeping it on when your pool is already warm enough. Also, this will lead to an increase in energy costs month after month.
Water Heaters
A water heater is the most effective way to heat your pool. A gas heater can raise the temperature of your pool water by 30 degrees Fahrenheit or more, greatly extending your pool season. These heaters use either natural gas or propane to heat the water in your pool.
Above ground pools are easily heated with a solar heater.
Above ground pools may be easily and safely heated using a combination of a solar heater and a solar cover, keeping your costs down and your family in the pool. So there you have it!
According to the World Health Organization, water temperatures ranging from 78 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit are generally comfortable and safe for those engaging in moderate physical activity in a pool.