| g pool heaters are essential if you want to use | | | | an efficiency rating of 80% to 83%, it's possible |
| your pool after the sun has set or if you want to | | | | to find models with a rating as high as 95%. |
| enjoy a longer swimming season. There are many | | | | Naturally, heaters with a higher efficiency rating |
| different types and models of pool heaters | | | | require less energy to operate and therefore will |
| available to choose from and it's important to | | | | also cost you less money to operate. |
| have one that meets all of your needs. While the | | | | As a result of modern-day energy costs, electric |
| many available choices and the number of | | | | heaters are generally the most expensive type of |
| considerations that need to be taken into account | | | | pool heater to operate. Propane heaters are next |
| may seem overwhelming when purchasing a pool | | | | in line while heaters powered by natural gas tend |
| heater, it doesn't have to be that way. Simply by | | | | to cost approximately half as much to operate as |
| determining the answers to a few questions | | | | propane heaters. Solar heaters, on the other |
| before you start shopping, you can greatly | | | | hand, are very inexpensive to run and are |
| narrow down what you're looking for and make | | | | extremely efficient as they are powered by |
| your choice much easier. | | | | sunlight. In fact, solar swimming pool heaters |
| Whether you're in the market for a heater for an | | | | involve extremely low or even zero energy costs. |
| above ground swimming pool or an in-ground | | | | While solar pool heaters depend on sunny |
| swimming pool, you will have a number of | | | | weather to heat pool water, they are a great |
| different types of heaters to choose from. To | | | | option for regions that receive plenty of sunshine. |
| begin with, different models of pool heaters are | | | | Another consideration to keep in mind when |
| powered by different energy sources. For | | | | shopping for a new pool heater is the durability of |
| example, swimming pool heaters can be powered | | | | the models that you're looking at. Since your |
| by electricity, natural gas, propane or solar energy. | | | | heater will be outdoors, it's important to make |
| The power source that will be right for you will | | | | sure that the model you choose is designed to |
| depend upon what is available in your area as well | | | | withstand harsh weather and UV radiation. Many |
| as your preferences with respect to operation, | | | | high quality units will come with weather resistant |
| efficiency, cost and environmental impact. | | | | housing which protects the internal components of |
| The specifications for swimming pool heaters will | | | | the heater and extends the lifespan of the unit |
| typically use BTUs, or British Thermal Units, to | | | | significantly. |
| express the amount of energy required to raise | | | | Some people like the peace of mind that often |
| the temperature of your pool by one degree | | | | comes with purchasing products from trusted |
| Fahrenheit. Most models of pool heaters will fall | | | | manufacturers with a long history of providing |
| somewhere in the range of 75,000 BTUs to | | | | top-quality, long-lasting products. In the swimming |
| 400,000 BTUs. The higher the BTU rating, the | | | | pool equipment industry, there are several |
| faster the unit will heat the pool water. Therefore, | | | | manufactures and brands that have been around |
| it's not surprising that higher BTU ratings also | | | | for many years and that have a reputation for |
| come at a higher cost. The speed that you need | | | | producing durable and high-performing pool |
| your heater to warm up your pool at will depend | | | | heaters. If you'd like to go with a trusted brand |
| upon your pool usage. For example, if you only | | | | name, you can either rely on word-of-mouth |
| want to heat your pool for weekend use, you | | | | from other pool owners or conduct some simple |
| might want faster results. However, if you are | | | | research online to determine which manufacturers |
| keeping your pool at a constant temperature | | | | have the best reputation. |
| throughout the swimming season, you might not | | | | When considering the purchase of a new pool |
| mind if it takes a few days to raise the | | | | heater, you will also have to figure out the size of |
| temperature of your pool at the beginning of the | | | | heater that your pool requires. This will depend |
| season. | | | | upon the surface area of your pool and the |
| In addition to considering the amount of energy | | | | thermal efficiency that you want. Pool equipment |
| required by a certain pool heater to raise the | | | | retailers will often provide equations or sizing |
| water temperature of your pool, it's also | | | | charts that will allow you to easily determine the |
| important to consider efficiency. Fortunately, | | | | size you need. Last but not least, you will need to |
| swimming pool heaters are given an efficiency | | | | consider how much you are willing and able to |
| rating so this factor is typically easy to determine. | | | | spend so you can determine which swimming pool |
| While most electric and gas heating units feature | | | | heaters will fit your budget. |