If you want to prolong swimming season as long as you can, pool heaters are your new best friends!
For people who love swimming pool dips, there is nothing more gratifying than the delightful feeling of perfect water temperature. That shouldn’t be an issue during spring and summer, but it’s a different story when fall rolls around. The solution to that problem is a pool heater.
Pool heaters are highly efficient machines that raise the pool water temperature so you can comfortably dip and bathe even if the ambient air is cold. The heater continues this process for hours until the temperature is adequate. Depending on where you live, using a pool heater could prolong your swimming season by a few weeks to months.
If that sounds appealing to you, this article will help you decide on the best swimming pool heater for your pool. However, before plunging in, you can probably benefit from learning about the different types of swimming pool heaters.
Types of Swimming Pool Heaters
- Gas Pool Heaters
Gas pool heaters use natural gas or propane in a combustor. This process heats the copper coil in the unit, so when the pool water circulates, it’s quickly warmed by the heater as it returns to the pool.
One of the most significant advantages of gas pool heaters is that they can do the job quicker than other types of pool heaters. It is also relatively easy to install and gives you the power to determine the temperature setting whenever you want. This feature makes it the best pool-heating option in colder climates or for anyone who wants to keep their pools warm all the time.
As wonderful as that sounds, the advantages are not something to scoff at. Gas is expensive and could cost at least $300 a month to operate, depending on your usage. This could easily double if you’re running the heater all day during your swimming sessions.
On top of that, it’s the least environment-friendly compared with other heater types. Gas heaters can be a source of carbon monoxide poisoning, something more serious and potentially fatal than, say, swimming pool poisoning caused by chlorine and similar chemicals.
- Electric Heat Pumps
Heat pumps work a little differently than pool heaters. Instead of heating the water, heat pumps extract heat from the ambient air behind the coils and transfer it to the water. It’s like what AC units do but in reverse. It takes a little longer for a heat pump to do its job than pool heaters, but the energy savings and installation costs will compensate for it in the long run.
One issue about heat pumps is that they are essentially useless if the outdoor temperature reaches sub-50 degrees Fahrenheit. That said, that shouldn’t be a problem if you rarely experience such temperatures in your place.
- Solar Pool Heaters
Solar pool heaters, as the name suggests, use the sun’s energy to heat the pool. These heaters are not the cheapest upfront option. The solar panels must be at least half the size of your pool and if you’re hiring professional installers, the cost may go as high as several thousand dollars. And while sunlight is free, you still have to pay for the electricity needed to pump water through your solar heaters.
That said, solar pool heaters offer unique advantages that you can’t find with the other types. It is environment-friendly, inexpensive to run after the installation, and will last decades given that the solar panels are well-maintained. You should also check if your state gives solar tax credits, and if it does, that should fall right into the savings umbrella.
Best Swimming Pool Heaters for You
- Hayward Universal H-Series
Don’t get fooled by this unit’s cooler-like appearance. It’s probably the best swimming gas pool heater out there because of its durability and how quickly it does the job. The least powerful Universal H-Series heater can rapidly heat a pool of up to 400 square feet, so you can get out of the house and into your oasis as soon as possible. If you want the numbers, expect an appropriate-sized heater to warm your pool up by no more than 2 degrees in an hour.
Although you might be able to find cheaper and more efficient alternatives, the Hayward Universal H-Series is hard to top when it comes to effectiveness and durability.
- Smart Pool S601 Pool Solar Heaters
If you have a smaller pool or live in a state with plenty of sunlight, why not harness the power of nature to your advantage?
The Smart Pool S601 solar heater is an affordable option that could get away with a DIY installation. It claims to raise water temperature by up to 15 degrees, but expect the average to be 3 to 6 degrees daily in about 5 hours of sunlight. Still, that’s a significant number considering you won’t have to pay for gas and electricity!
- Raypak 8450 Heat Pump
The 8450 is a premium pick that comes with a pool heat pump in a powder-coated DuraSteel cabinet and a Titanium heat exchanger that lasts almost as long as the pool itself. It also includes remote and digital control for ease of use and convenience.
Although expensive, the 8450 is an excellent choice for people looking for a machine that does the job discreetly. In order to provide you with a quiet experience, it is built with spiral compressors that drastically cut down noise.
Overall, if you want a heater that could very well be the last heater you’d buy, the Raypak 8450 Heat Pump is your choice.
- Hayward W3HP21004T HeatPro
Hayward is the Dolphin (Maytronics) in the pool-heating space, as they rarely disappoint with their products as Dolphin does in their robotic pool cleaners.
The W3HP21004T HeatPro is a corrosion-resistant electric heat pump that’s versatile enough to work on old and new swimming pool systems. A computerized LED control panel in the unit allows for precise temperature regulation, while an acoustic compressor cover reduces noise. This model is so durable it can be used for swimming pools near coastal areas and practically every in-ground pool setup.
- Raypak Digital Electronic Ignition Natural Gas Pool Heater
The Raypak Digital Electronic Ignition Natural Gas Pool Heater comes in four varieties, each with differing BTUs. That means you’ll have a suitable Raypak Digital Electronic Ignition variant for any pool size.
The heater’s exterior is attractive and durable, capable of withstanding a wide range of conditions. It won’t corrode and can be used in both chlorinated and saltwater pools. The heater is constructed from state-of-the-art engineering materials, including a corrosion-resistant cabinet made of galvanized metal. The Raypak pool heater has a robust design that ensures it will survive many years.
Another standard feature among Raypak digital pool heaters is the Unitherm Governor. The Unitherm Governor automatically controls the water flow to keep the water temperature in the heat exchanger above 105 degrees Fahrenheit and to reduce condensation caused by cold incoming water. Combined with excellent materials, these heaters are unquestionably built to last.
Final Thoughts
A foolproof way to lengthen the swimming season is using a pool heater. Heat pumps and pool heaters allow you to maintain the water temperature in your pool at a comfortable level for extended periods. If you’re considering buying one, you must decide whether it’s a gas heater, heat pump, or solar pool heater. Each has its pros and cons, but at the end of the day, these pool heaters do their job admirably.
If you’re wondering if it’s worth the upfront costs, it surely is if you love daily dips! And a high-quality heat pump lasts for many years. Except for routine maintenance, you won’t have to worry about operating expenses, so your initial investment will eventually pay itself.
