Which Pool/Spa Heater is Right For You?

Swimming Pool Heaters

Some pool owners consider a heater an unnecessary luxury, but in cooler parts of the country, a heater allows you to enjoy your pool in the early spring and sometimes into fall. As the climate changes across the globe, some areas don’t get the summer sun as much as they used to and a heater is a must, even in summer.

In warmer geographical areas, a pool heater offers the opportunity to use your pool throughout the year. It also increases the value of your pool and property. The most popular pool heating options are a gas heater that uses propane or natural gas, a heat pump, which uses electricity, and solar panels.

Gas & Propane Heaters

This process is relatively simple as the water from your pool flows from the intake port of your pool, passes through the pump, and then into the heater. The water is heated when it passes through the heat exchanger, exits the heating system, and then goes into the pool. Most heaters mix heated water with cool water to maintain a preset temperature.

Although gas heaters have become increasingly efficient in recent years, the way gas prices are rising; it’s a tough call on whether to choose a gas or electric heater. You also need a large propane tank that needs to be filled periodically; some can be buried under ground while others sit above ground.

Electric Heat Pumps

When a heat pump is running, liquid Freon from inside the unit is pumped through the system. It then turns into a heated gas that is taken from the surrounding air and drawn through an evaporator by a fan. The compressor receives this warmer gas, compresses it to a higher pressure, and causes the Freon to reach a higher temperature. As the unit sends the heated gas through the heat exchanger, it is heated 3 to 5 degrees. The water, now warmer, flows back into your pool. The Freon then reverts back to its liquid state. About Freon: The Freon of today is a nonflammable, noncorrosive gas and does not contain the chlorine component of the Fluorocarbon that makes it environmentally hazardous.

Heating Your Spa

Many pools have an attached spa and the water overflows into the swimming pool when the pump is on. If you are buying a heater just to heat your spa, keep in mind that you will be heating your pool at the same time if you have a system that is set up like this. You may need special plumbing and valves that only heat your spa. Contact a pool specialist to evaluate your plumbing system before installing a heater of any kind.

Some systems allow you to hand turn certain valves in order to bypass the pool so the heat goes directly into the spa, but it tends to get confusing. If you close the wrong valve you could prevent water from going into the pump and could burn up your whole system.

Electronic controls that automatically open and close specific valves to mange your spa are available and make all the difference in the world.

Solar Heating & Panels

Solar panels collect and distribute heat to your pool by absorbing the sun’s energy. They are normally placed in an area that receives maximum sunlight, such as a roof of a house. Some housing communities may not allow them because they may be considered unsightly.

Solar Panels generate heat at about 1000 BTUs per square foot per day and require a pump to be operated at peak hours to circulate the water. They are efficient but can be expensive and require the additional energy of your pool pump to work. Warning: If your solar panels are being installed or cleaned, never leave them on your lawn. The heat from the sun will almost instantly destroy the grass underneath (I saw this happen to a neighbor - he wasn’t happy!)

Whatever system you choose, remember this: Over the course of a day about 30% of the heat that goes into the pool is lost by evaporation. Solar Sun Rings work hand in hand with your heating system and prevents minimal water evaporation and heat loss.

Buying The Right Heater

If you are interested in purchasing a heating system, I encourage you to research different companies and discuss your needs with a sales rep. Be cautious about going into a pool store to purchase a heater as many places will push a certain brand that they get a good deal on. This brand may not be the one for you and could cost you extra money on heating or gas bills.

FYI: A gas heater heats a spa much more efficiently than an electric heat pump, but leaps and bounds have been made in heat pump designs over the years so be sure to do your research.

The following companies manufacture pool heating products that I am familiar with and have a good reputation in the industry.

Hayward - 888.429.9273 • www.haywardnet.com • Heat Pumps & Gas Heaters

Aqua Cal - 800.786.7751 • www.aquacal.com • Heat Pumps

Summit - 877.688.0779 • www.thermosummit.com • Heat Pumps

Gulf Stream - 800.446.4328 • www.advancesolar.com • Heat Pumps & Solar Heaters

Enersol - 800.884.6444 • www.enersol.com • Solar Heaters

Techno-Solis - 727.823.6766 • www.techno-solis.com • Solar Heaters

What To Expect From Your Service Tech

Some pool owners may choose to have a pool tech service their pool. Here are some tips:

A good company/pool tech will come to your pool once a week, on a specifi c day, and typically around a certain time. They should always leave a service tag letting you know that they have been there and performed certain duties.
Depending on the complexity of your pool, your service call should be a minimum of ten minutes. If you have a floor vac, and your pool is small, at least eight minutes. A lot depends on the complexity of the pool.
Filters should be cleaned once a month. An independent service may not agree, but you are paying for a service and quite honestly, it’s not that diffi cult to clean a fi lter. Be sure to look on your service tag that your fi lter was cleaned during the course of the month
Are your chemicals balanced? Do your eyes burn when you are in the water? If so, talk to your tech and discuss this situation. A good tech will work with you and unless you have lots of kids in the pool, my opinion is that the chlorine doesn’t have to be excessive, yet it must meet industry standards.
Is there is a problem with your pool? Does your tech let you know right away? If the tech works for a large company, do they notify you of the problem with an estimate? Your pool should never be down for more than two days without some notifi cation. If there is a problem, is your tech licensed to do repairs? If not, they could make the problem worse. A pool that sits for an extended period of time without a running motor will turn green quickly depending on the time of year. In certain geographical areas of the country, strange things start visiting the pool like tadpoles, frogs, and water snakes that can take over an unserviced pool in a matter of weeks. If your pool is down for an extended period of time be sure your tech keeps the chlorine and pH levels properly balanced so the water doesn’t get stale.
Does your tech keep you up to date on the status of your fi lter? An old filter does not perform properly and your pool can go through a lot of changes very quickly. If your tech has told you need a new fi lter and you drag your feet replacing it, don’t blame them when the pool turns green or yellow.
It is important to remember that too much chlorine, an overly high, or low, pH balance, improper stabilizer treatments, or excessively high calcium, can cause long term damage to your pool’s fi nish. Has your pool turned yellow or green more than once since you’ve had a particular pool tech? If the answer is yes, you need to ask yourself if you are better off with a cheap rate that may be the cause of future problems or, a reputable company who is going to protect your property investment.

To sum it all up, a stubborn, irresponsible, or inexperienced pool tech can turn your pool into an unpleasant experience whereas a reputable company can make it a place of enjoyment. My words of advice are quite simple: Stay on top of your pool tech, introduce yourself to them and ask intelligent questions if you have a concern. And don’t forget to tip them during the holidays!