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There’s nothing worse than jumping into your pool to enjoy a swim to find out you just took a polar plunge!
While this may feel good on those extremely hot and humid days, most likely your weather won’t always be warm enough to call for wanting a frigid pool.
Pool heaters help keep your pool at your perfect preferred temperature to enjoy anytime you want, not just when it’s hot.
And if you’re like us, you want to use your pool as often as possible during the swim season, so a pool heater is essential.
But how do you decide what size and type to use? Check out this quick guide to learn about the types of pool heaters, how to determine what size you need, and any maintenance needs.
Types of Pool Heaters
When it comes to pool heaters, there are a variety of types, from solar mats to natural gas to electric.
Solar Heaters
Using the sun to absorb and distribute heat throughout the pool, solar heaters are a low-cost solution to heating your pool. While they are low-cost, there are some factors you need to consider with solar power heaters. The first is the amount of sun you receive to your pool. In addition, depending on the size of your pool, you may need multiple mats to both cover and get the amount of heat comfortable to you.
There are also other solar heaters that don’t require mats, but still come with the same challenges such as lack of sun and size.
Natural Gas
Natural gas pool heaters provide a consistent and robust way to heat your above ground pool and maintain the temperature. They are built to last and energy efficient. Some models, like this Hayward Universal H-Series 150,000 BTU Natural Gas Heater, which also includes universal fitting, making it easily adaptable to both existing and new installations.
Using natural gas, or liquid propane pool heaters allows you to set and forget to keep maximum comfort all season long and adjust only as wanted.
TIP: To determine your recommended BTU to maintain your preferred pool temperature, calculate about 10 BTU per square foot of pool surface.
Heat Pumps (Electric)
Another option for heating your above ground pool is electric heat pumps, which allow you to dial into your perfect pool temperature.
Heat pumps work by warming water through sucking in air and processing through a series of interactions in the system before pushing warm water into the pool.
Benefits of Pool Heaters
You can use your pool any time of day, such as for an early lap or for a midnight swim under the stars without the water being too cold.
Similar to the time of day and temperature changes, seasonal changes can inhibit from using your pool longer. A pool heater allows you to open earlier and close later in the seasons to get the most enjoyment out of your above ground pool.
No more worries about needing the sun to be out to enjoy a swim. Pool heaters allow you to enjoy your pool comfortably on colder and cloudy days as well.
Other Considerations
Once you’ve decided on the type of pool heater you want, consider these other factors when heating it up and maintaining your temperature.
- Size of pool: Make sure you get the right size heater for your pool size (based on gallons). If your pool heater is too small, it will create wear and tear on your unit. Ensuring you have the right size heater will mean less maintenance needs and longer lifespan.
- Temperature of pool: The current temperature of your pool will determine how quickly you can heat it up to your preferred temperature. Having a pool cover is an advantage to warming it up. If you’re having guests over to swim, make sure you’re planning ahead to give the pool enough time to heat up. This is typically 12-24 hours.
- Pool covers: Pools covers are an essential accessory for any type of pool or spa. Not only does it keep the elements out when not in use, but it also keeps your heat in, allowing for easier maintenance of temperature.
Whether you want to upgrade your current pool heater or are planning to add a pool to your outdoor space this year, stop into one of Watson’s nine superstore locations to speak with one of our experts to select the perfect pool heater. Ensure a long and comfortable swim season with Watson’s large selection of pool heaters.
