Swimming Pool Heaters

It's cold outside!

In the wrong climate, the water in your swimming pool can be bitterly cold; often it's far too cold to even consider taking a dip.  Any swimming that is done will be test of endurance rather than relaxing exercise, and it's likely that your pool will be left unused for some time.  People don't want this to be the case, however, and many are turning to the use of swimming pool heaters to encourage use of the pool in the cooler months.

Natural sunlight, even in the summer, can only get your pool so warm, and unless it's really beating down this level is unlikely to be at an optimal level for bathing.

Why should I buy a pool heater?

There are a number of advantages with pool heaters.  One which is prevalent is that the water temperature can be adjusted to whatever your swimmers are likely to be most comfortable with - and note that this is useful in summer as well as winter - simply by turning a dial.  The ideal pool temperature is said to be 78 degrees Fahrenheit, but many people prefer it to be a little warmer.  Of course as long as it's not burning, the choice as to what level you heat the water to is all yours.  It's your pool, after all.

Swimming pool covers are still important, and can compliment the pool heater's warming action by limiting the loss of heat from the pool.  Solar gain pool covers help further by maximising the amount of heat absorbed from the sun's natural rays.

Swimming pool heaters: options

LP Gas-fired swimming pool heaters are popular, since it is one of the least expensive types of heater to buy in the first place, and in fact works out cheaper in the long run.  Oil is a good alternative, and electricity gives a further option, though electrical pool heaters are perhaps the most inefficient and expensive - they are supposedly harder to maintain, too.

Solar powered pool heaters

Solar powered pool heaters (not to be confused with solar pool covers) are without a doubt the most environmentally friendly way to heat your pool, and while it's a wonderful idea in theory, they are very expensive to buy and install.  Of course you may save in the long run on reduced maintenance costs and zero fuel costs, but whether the initial outlay renders this method out of reach of most pool owners remains to be seen.