Pool Heaters vs. Heat Pumps

If you’re looking to extend your pool season, heaters and heat pumps are among the best options. But what makes one different from the other? To ensure an educated decision, we’ve compared the crucial features of swimming pool heating systems

Pool Heaters

Swimming pool heaters are the most common choice when it comes to heating your pool. Heaters use natural gas, propane, or electricity to heat water returning into your pool. They have a lower upfront cost and heat water temperatures fast. Although heaters have a lower initial price, they need the cost of propane or natural gas, which can surpass the run costs than that of a heat pump. Depending on whether propane or natural gas is used and the location of your pool, the cost can range between $3.00 to $9.00 per hour to heat your pool.

Natural Gas Heaters are a few dollars cheaper to run per hour vs. Propane Heaters. Depending on where you stay, natural gas can cost about 84% less than propane gas.

An Electric Pool Heater is another excellent choice if propane or natural gas won’t work for your pool. Again, this will raise your utility cost for electricity, but a dependable way to heat any pool – from small residential pool to commercial pools.

Pros:

• Lower initial cost
• Heats pool water fast
• Works in any temperature
• Easily installed into a plumbed gas line from your household

Cons:

• Higher utility expenses
• More mobile parts compared to Heat Pumps

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are becoming increasingly common for pool owners. They utilize the ambient air surrounding the unit to heat your pool. The air passes over an evaporator coil using a heated refrigerant to heat water that returns into your pool. This process does not need natural gas or propane resources, which lowers run (utility) costs drastically. Heat pumps cost around $.63 an hour to run, a fraction of propane or natural gas.

Even though run costs are low, heat pumps do have an insignificant disadvantage.

Because heat pumps use the surrounding (ambient) air around the unit, temperatures cannot drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. When temperatures drop below 50 degrees, heat pumps lose the capability to heat your pool water effectively.

Pros:

• Lower running cost
• Energy Effectual
• Easier to Install
• Great for mil environments

Cons:

• Higher initial costs
• Ineffective below 50 degrees

Conclusion

Both heaters and heat pumps are the right solution for pool possessors. The critical factor when deciding will be your location, budget, and requirements.

If you live in a colder climate and want to extend the pool season for as long as possible, you’ll possibly lean towards a heater. Though, if you want something that will save you money in the long run and live in a climate that does not drop below 50 degrees, a heat pump is a better choice for you.

Resources and References:

• How Pool Heaters Work