Below-ground pools and pool heaters
Swimming pool heater selection is determined by several factors including the heater's sale price, the heater's on-going energy costs, and the type of swimming pool that it needs to heat.
There are two standard pool types in use, one which is sited in the ground (a below-ground pool), and the other which sits on top of the finished ground level.
What is a below-ground swimming pool
A conventional (or below-ground) swimming pool is a swimming pool that is submerged into the ground.
Typically, this kind of pool will have the tops of its side walls at ground level, or the level of the surrounding patio or paved pool side area.
Below-ground pools, sometimes referred to as in-ground pools, are expensive to build and require excavation, the construction of the swimming pool's structure and some short term disruption, noise and mess. They do however offer the best swimming pool solution for those who can afford them. They are a permanent structure and require planning permission.
Because an in-ground pool incurs considerable expense to construct, most owners will choose to have a pool heater fitted. This can be done at the time of construction, or added at a later stage through a connection close to the filter and pump.
Using a pool heater extends the usability of the swimming pool and can make the pool accessible throughout the year in any climate during the day or the night.
There is of course a price to pay for this accessibility, and the more powerful the pool heater is, and the greater its level of use, the higher will be the pool's on-going running costs.
Pool heaters for in-ground pools
Most types and variations of pool heaters will work with below-ground swimming pools. The possible exception is the electric heater which, in most cases, is manufactured specifically for above-ground pool applications and has a low energy output.
The main factors that will determine the most suitable heater for any given below-ground pool will be the pool size, the desired level of use, and the budget (both initial outlay and ongoing energy costs).
In warm climates, or when a pool is primarily used during the summer, low cost energy solutions like heat exchangers and solar pool heaters can be effective.
In cooler climates, or where a pool is intended for year round use, a more powerful and flexible pool heating system like a gas or propane boiler may be a better solution. This kind of pool heater can also be doubled up with a supplementary low energy heater and "kick-in" when the heat exchanger or solar heater lacks the energy output to raise the water temperature above a certain level.
Suitable pool heaters for in-ground swimming pools include, gas, oil and propane boilers, condensing boilers, heat exchanger and heat inverters, swimming pool heat pumps and solar powered pool heaters.