Finding the Right Pool Heater For You

With winter casting its cold shadow, it sure would feel nice to still be able to hit the pool. Imagine not having to cover it up for months on end and being able to take advantage of a swim or family fun day, even when it’s a little chilly outside. You can with a swimming pool heater. These devices help keep the water warm year-round and turn your pool into an anytime activity. You can take laps and never worry about enduring icy water. If it’s time to warm it up, there are different types of pool heaters to do the job. You simply need to find the one that’s right for you.

Heat Pump Pool Heaters

These devices are electric powered but also utilize natural elements to heat your pool. It uses only a small amount of electricity, meaning your power bill won’t see a spike. The heat pump pulls heat from the surrounding air and, through its compression system, warms it even further before transferring it to the water of your pool. These units do require an outside temperature of above 45 degrees to effectively heat your pool so they are not recommended for areas that see very cold temperatures. They have a lifespan of up to 10 years and range in cost from $1,500 to more than $5,000 depending on the size of the pool you want to heat. The purchase price is higher than different types of pool heaters, but there is less additional cost with a heat pump heater.

Solar Pool Heaters

The most natural way to heat your pool is with a solar swimming pool heater. These heaters continue to gain popularity since they require only natural resources to operate. The heaters take the energy created by the sun and transfer that heat into the pool to warm up the water. A solar heater kit can cost as little as a few hundred dollars for a small unit to more than $5,000 for a large system and have a lifespan of up to 20 years. The obvious drawback is that they are not effective when the sun is not shining for long periods. While they do store the heat of the day to keep the pool warm during the evening, a solar heating system will need some steady sunshine to keep the water warm.

Gas Pool Heaters

Like a gas water heater, gas pool heaters use propane or natural gas to warm up the water in your pool. Since they rely on gas and not the sun, they can be utilized any time of day or night to heat the water. They also work fast, raising the water temperature by almost 10 degrees in as little as a couple of hours. While some gas heaters start at under $800, they do require the operating cost of maintaining a supply of propane or natural gas.

Get Warm and Hit the Water

With so many different types of pool heaters, there is one to fit your pool and your budget. There’s no need to avoid the pool when it’s cold out. A heater can give you summer-like fun not matter the season.