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Which pool heater is right for you?

Don’t be left out in the cold when it comes to enjoying your pool this winter. It doesn’t just have to be for your own enjoyment. With the holidays near, the opportunity for travel opens up at the same time. While most of the country is covered in snow, Phoenix is an attractive destination for family and friends with its beautiful sunshine every day.

One of the easiest ways to entertain your guests during the holidays is to allow them to enjoy a nice swim in your heated pool. While there are costs associated with heating your pool, being able to extend the swim season adds great value to your pool and your back yard. No matter what the reason, if you want to get more out of your pool, having a heater installed could be the ticket to getting year round enjoyment from your swimming pool.

There are three main types of heaters that you can utilize on your pool, each with their own pros and cons, depending on your pool needs and budgets.

Electric Heaters
These use electric currents to heat. When a current is applied to the resistor located  inside the unit, the resistor heats. Water then washes over the resistor and heats, causing the resistor to cool. Because electric resistance heaters require large amounts of electricity, they are primarily used to heat small, portable spas and small therapy pools.

  • Pros: Lower upfront costs compared to other pool heaters. Environmentally friendly, emits no air pollution.
  • Cons: Highest cost to operate than most heaters. Potential costly installation due to wiring and breakers.

Gas Heaters
These burn either natural gas or propane to create heat. Gas burns inside a combustion chamber, which contains a series of copper coils. As the gas burns, water passes through the coils and heats. Gas heaters have historically been the most widely-used swimming pool heaters, though their popularity is decreasing due to high gas prices and the efficiency of heat pumps.

  • Pros: Lower upfront costs than electric heaters. Heats water up quickly.
  • Cons: High monthly cost to operate, smaller lifespan, not environmentally friendly, emits air pollution.

Heat Pumps
These use electricity to transfer heat to your swimming pool. Air-source heat pumps transfer heat from the air, and water-source (geothermal) heat pumps transfer heat from water. Because of their energy efficiency, heat pumps have rapidly grown in popularity.

  • Pros: Lower monthly costs to operate, longer lifespan, environmentally friendly, emits no pollution.
  • Cons: High upfront cost, heats water slower than other heaters.

If you have a heater on your pool or need annual maintenance to ensure that it’s working as efficiently as possible, call Poolman today!