Swimming Pool Heaters - Spa Heaters

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Gas swimming pool heaters offer the advantage of faster heating than heat pumps or solar panels and they are not dependent upon outside air temperature or the sun. Swimming Pool Heaters are a reliable way to warm up your pool and/or spa and cost less upfront than a heat pump and some solar panel systems. That being said, gas swimming pool heaters are more expensive to operate and the cost will vary with gas prices. Propane swimming pool heaters use one gallon of fuel per hour for each 91,000 BTU's of heater input. So for example, if you have a 250,000 BTU heater, you would divide 250,000 by 91,000 to get 2.75 gallon per hour. For natural gas, the gas company usually bills according to therms. One therm is equal to 100,000 BTU's. The amount of therms used is multiplied by the BTU factor which describes the actual heat value of the gas supplied. It is a good idea to contact your local natural gas provider to find out the current rates and an estimate of operating expenses based on the BTU size of the heater you're considering.

How to Select a Swimming Pool Heater
Heater selection is based on the pool surface area, the amount of temperature rise you're looking for and the conditions where your pool is located (indoor vs. outdoor, warm climate vs. cold climate, high winds, etc.) Please see our Heater Selection Guide to help you with proper sizing. You can also contact the manufacturer to get a recommendation from their technical support.

Millivolt and Electronic Ignition
Just like a gas stove, heaters have a pilot light which ignites the heater. Older models have what is known as a millivolt ignition. This means the pilot light is on constantly and has to be manually relit if extinguished. The newer style gas heaters have an electronic ignition to automatically ignite the pilot. This type of ignition will turn the pilot on and off as needed. Manufacturers are still making some heaters with millivolt but we recommend choosing the electronic ignition for the convenience. If you live in a windy area, the electronic ignition is an especially nice feature to have when the pilot light is blown out by high winds.

Single and Dual Thermostats
Swimming Pool Heaters come with either a single or dual thermostat control. A single thermostat will allow you to control the heat for only one body of water, either your pool or spa. The dual thermostat lets you to set different temperatures for both a pool and a spa. Almost all electronic ignition heaters come standard with a dual thermostat. If you have pool or spa only, you can still use a heater with a dual thermostat.

Lo Nox Swimming Pool Heaters
These heaters feature Lo Nox gas burners designed to produce lower emissions. Lo Nox heaters reduce the formation of oxides of nitrogen which contribute to smog and acid rain. This type of heater is required in some parts of the US, such as California and Texas. We recommend checking on code requirements with your local government to see what is necessary to pass inspection in your area. In the interest of being more environmentally conscious, some pool owners purchase Lo Nox heaters even if they aren't required by law. Lo Nox heaters are typically produced as a separate product line and are usually more expensive than regular gas heaters. However, some manufacturers have incorporated the Lo Nox feature into their existing product lines. For example, the Pentair MasterTemp and Sta-Rite Max-E-Therm are now both rated as Lo Nox heaters.

High Altitude Swimming Pool Heaters
Most swimming pool heaters are designed to function at a maximum altitude of 2,000 feet above sea level. If you plan to install a heater at a higher altitude, you will need to purchase one specifically designed to operate with the lower oxygen level. Some manufacturers offer high altitude kits which convert a regular heater to high altitude. Even with these, there is a maximum allowable altitude so it is important to know the exact altitude where your heater will be located.

Conversion Kits
Some manufacturers offer kits to convert a heater from one type of gas to another. So you can change from natural gas to propane or vice versa. You might be in this situation if you are moving a heater to a location that does not have the required gas readily available. Or if the price of one type of gas goes high, it might be more economical to switch to the other.

Gas Lines
The size of gas line you'll need is determined by several factors. For natural gas, it is the size of the heater (in BTU's) and the distance from the meter to the gas valve inlet. For propane swimming pool heaters, the heater size and line material (pipe or tubing) as well as distance will determine the size of the line. The distance will be based on whether low or high pressure propane is used so the manufacturer's instructions must be closely followed. The owner's manual typically provides specific details for sizing the line. If you already have a gas line and want to add a heater, it is best to contact the manufacturer prior to purchase for their recommendation.

Installation
We recommend professional installation only for any gas heater to insure maximum safety and efficiency. Swimming pool heaters should be installed after the filter and before any chlorinators or other chemical feeders that are connected to the plumbing. This will protect the heater from corrosion due to concentrated chemicals. The installer should closely follow the instructions outlined by the manufacturer for the specific heater as each model has different requirements for clearance and ventilation.

Maintenance
Regular heater inspection by a pool professional is recommended to maintain your heater and make sure it is operating properly. The venting system should be inspected to be sure there are no obstructions to air flow. Remove any debris, chemicals or combustible materials that are near the heater. The external heat exchanger should be inspected for any build-up of soot while the internal heat exchanger needs to be checked for lime scale. If soot or lime scale is present, the exchanger(s) will require cleaning. The burner should be checked and cleaned before each pool season. Removal and cleaning instructions for these parts can be found in your owner's manual along with guidelines for winterizing and spring start-up. Again, for safety we recommend having a qualified pool service technician perform any necessary maintenance and/or repairs on gas heaters.

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Heater Covers Vinyl pool heater covers help protect swimming pool heaters from rain, salt water spray, sprinkler systems, ice, snow, leaves, and other debris. We carry Weather-Out covers which feature a non-woven interior lining which does not retain moisture and prevents condensation. During the fall and early spring, the cover can be used to prevent leaves, twigs, seeds and pine needles from getting inside your heater. In the winter, a cover will help reduce snow and ice accumulation in, on and around it. Even in warmer climates, a cover can shield a heater from rain and spray from sprinklers.

Shipping
Customers ask us about the cost for shipping a pool heater. Since these units are too large for normal UPS or Fedex shipping, they ship by truck line, typically an 18-wheeler with a lift gate to lower the pallet off of the truck. Shipping charges periodically change due to increases in gas prices and other factors but at this time, our shipping and handling fee for heaters is around $160.00. Shipping for electric spa heaters would be less since these are smaller and can typically ship via UPS ground.

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