Choosing a pool heater
There are many factors to take account of when selecting a
swimming pool heater and the choice of which heater type to buy is one that should receive careful consideration.
Different pool heaters have different heating abilities, varying initial outlays, and vastly differing ongoing energy costs. There is also the cost and complexity of installation and the easy with which a heater can be sited and plumbed in to the pool system.
Additionally, some pool heaters will only work well with certain pool types and under certain climatic or existing utility situations, so the final decision on which heater type to buy is an important one. Ultimately it will affect the usability and pleasure that you derive from your swimming pool.
Below are some points worthy of consideration in deciding upon the best pool heater for any given outdoor (or indoor) swimming pool situation.
Consider your environment and anticipated pool use
- Is the swimming pool's geographic location in a four season climate and, if so, will it be used throughout the year, or only in the warmer seasons.
- What is the maximum temperature differential between the minimum ambient (or unheated) pool water temperature and the desired bathing temperature. Is this figure (which represents the "degree rise" that the heater will need to achieve) more than a few degrees centigrade.
- Will the pool be used intermittently and require regular heating from "cold", or will it be maintained at a "ready to use" temperature for long periods of time.
- Will the pool be used at night time, when temperatures are generally cooler.
- Are there any physical restrictions that make certain pool heaters impractical (e.g. their size or connection requirements).
- Are there any limitations placed on the selection of pool heater output based on existing conditions. e.g. A heat exchanger for a boiler must be of an equivalent or lower output rating than the boiler.
Budgetary considerations
- What is your initial pool heater budget and which kind (or kinds) of pool heaters can you afford. Take account of not just the pool heaters sale price, but also the cost of fitting and installation, pipe work, heater housing, and any other associated costs.
- What is your annual "running cost" budget for the energy supply (e.g. gas, electricity, propane etc.) and any maintenance or servicing costs that may be required on a predictable basis.
- Are there any additional costs, or any offset costs, that may give one pool heater type an economic advantage over another.
- Will your budget extend to buying two different pool heaters with different functions. One for fast initial heating (e.g. a boiler) and another for heat maintenance (e.g. some form of secondary heat exchanger or solar heater).
Pool heater suitability considerations
- Not all pool heaters will work with every pool type and every pool size. e.g. Small electric heaters are only suitable for small above-ground swimming pools. Equally, a powerful fossil fuel fired pool heater would be overkill for a small above-ground pool.
- Check the compatibility of your swimming pool with both the various heater types and the specific pool heater and swimming pool manufacturers. Some pool heater will only work with pools manufactured by certain companies and vice versa.
- Match your swimming pool's environmental conditions and your pool usage patterns with the functionality, purchase price and running costs of the different available pool heaters for the "best fit" solution.
- If you are considering a fuel fired boiler or condenser, do you have a location in which the unit can be houses and is there provision for a flue and ventilation.
Summary
Heat exchangers and solar powered pool heaters are usually cheaper to buy than gas, propane, oil and (some) electrically powered heaters. More importantly, they have much lower running costs. Do however be aware that, although pool heat exchangers and inverters are cheap, they can be expensive to fit and they need to be close to the pool to work effectively.
Pool heaters that burn fuels like gas or oil offer the highest power outputs, the greatest and fastest heating abilities, and the best overall versatility, but this does come at a high initial price and much higher running costs. These pool heaters are necessary for large pools and pool in cooler climates, but their running costs can be reduced by using a secondary pool heating system to maintain the water temperature once it has been reached.
Small above-ground pools that are used intermittently during the summer can sometimes be heated by small electric pool heaters, but these heaters do have limitations.