Gas and propane swimming pool heaters
Swimming pool heaters using gas or propane remain one of the most popular power sources for raising a pool’s ambient temperature.
Most pool heaters of this type are supplied for use with gas, but a simple conversion kit normally makes the unit run on propane and this adaptation can be performed quickly by a qualified fitter (e.g. CORGI registered fitter). Some pool heaters can of course be ordered separately as gas or propane burners without any adaptation being necessary.
Gas and propane heaters can be designed to stand outside or inside a building, but in either case they require the connection of a gas supply and the provision of ventilation.
In the case of an internal gas pool heater, a ventilation flue will also be required to safely expel harmful gases.
How a gas or propane pool heater works
A gas or propane pool heater has a combustion chamber like a domestic boiler in a central heating system.
The swimming pool water, having already been filtered, is drawn through this chamber by a pump and is then heated up to the desired temperature before being returned to the pool.
This kind of pool heater fulfils a variety of specific criteria that some other swimming pool heating systems find hard to replicate.
- Firstly, gas and propane heaters can heat up a swimming pool very quickly and in a very efficient way.
- Secondly, these gas burning pool heaters can attain and maintain a precise temperature more consistently than their counterparts.
- Thirdly, Because of the method of generating the heat (i.e. a flame) and the lack of dependence upon the weather (unlike a solar pool heater), gas and propane pool heaters can maintain a pool’s temperature independently of the climatic conditions or ambient air temperature. This means that they are ideal with seasonal climates, or climates where there are dramatic temperature changes during periods when the swimming pool will be in active use.
Advantages - why select a gas or propane pool heater
Gas or propane heaters are not cheap, in fact they can be expensive at the top end of the market. However, they use a recognised and dependable technology and they are perfect for heating up pools that are used intermittently, or for short periods of time, rather than being in continual use.
Although gas fired pool heaters can use a lot of fuel, their actual efficiency can be extremely high and modern gas and propane heaters can attain a fuel efficiency of over 90 percent (based upon their Btu output).
Gas and propane swimming pool heaters work with all sizes of pool and there are no restrictions placed upon their ability to do their job based upon level of use, pool surface area, or the starting temperature of the water.
The size and cost of a gas pool heater
The size of a gas (or propane) pool heater is determined by a combination of the pool’s surface area and a formula that includes the variable of “temperature rise” necessary to bring the swimming pool up to the desired temperature on the coldest anticipated day of use.
The “rough estimate” formula used to determine the required pool heater capacity is based on
Before ordering a pool it will however be necessary to have a more specific assessment from a fitter or swimming pool maintenance professional.
Disadvantages of gas and propane swimming pool heaters
In situations where a pool is used continually, or for prolonged periods of time, or where the temperature rise from the ambient to the desired heat level is small, gas and propane heaters may not be the most economic heating systems to use.
Pool heaters using flame fired heating require fitting by a specialist tradesman, plumbing to the energy source (gas) and the provision of ventilation. They also benefit from regular (annual) maintenance.
For some very basic checks to make in the event of a problem with a gas fired heater refer to this section covering swimming pool heater problems and related issues.