Understanding Pool Heater Options
Learn about the pros and cons of different pool heating equipment.
Are you in the market for a new pool heater? Start by reviewing this basic summary of the pros and cons of different types of pool heating equipment, and then contact The Stanley Louis Company for personalized advice.
Gas Pool Heaters
A gas pool heater may burn either natural gas or propane. Copper coils route water through the combustion chamber to heat it.
Pros: Gas pool heaters have been the technology of choice for many years, mainly because they heat the water quickly and are inexpensive to purchase. Depending on the size of your pool you may be able to get a gas heater for $1,500.
Cons: Gas pool heaters are not particularly efficient, making them expensive to operate. With some older models, up to 25 percent of the heat produced in the combustion chamber is lost rather than put to use heating the water. Another issue with gas pool heaters is that they can have a shorter service life.
Electric Resistance Heaters
An electric resistance heater works by putting current though a resistor unit, which generates heat. As water washes over the resistor, heat is absorbed, warming the water.
Pros: Electric resistance heaters are useful for heating small therapy pools or spas but since they use a lot of energy they are seldom installed in full size swimming pools.
Cons: Though electric pool heaters have a relatively low purchase price, they are expensive to install due to the need for heavy duty wiring and circuit breakers. They have poor energy efficiency and are expensive to operate.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular for heating swimming pools. Most swimming pool heat pumps are air source heat pumps, meaning they use latent heat energy in outdoor air to generate heat for your pool water.
Pros: Heat pumps require very little electricity to run, making them extremely energy efficient and inexpensive to operate. You might spend just $50 to $150 to heat a home pool with this technology. Heat pumps have a long service life of up to 20 years and can generate heat even when outside temperatures dip as low as 35°F.
Cons: The main drawback of a heat pump is that it can’t heat pool water very quickly. The high equipment cost ($2,000 to $4,000) is also a deterrent for some pool owners.
Solar Pool Heaters
Solar pool heaters pass water through an array of heat-capturing panels in order to heat your pool. Some types of pool heaters send warm water directly back to the pool, while others can send it to a storage tank until it is needed.
Pros: Solar pool heating is simply the most eco-friendly and inexpensive way to heat your pool. If you have a passive solar heater, there are zero monthly operational costs, and if you have an active system that uses a pump to move water, costs will be minimal.
Cons: This is the most expensive type of pool heater to purchase and may cost between $4,000 and $7,000. Solar pool heating can be a slow process, and some homeowners don’t like the look of the panels on their roof or lawn. If you don’t get enough sun exposure you may need to pair your solar pool heater with a heat pump to enjoy reliable heat all through the day or in cloudy weather.
