| Consumers are getting wiser these days. For | | | | for buying the heater itself. A heat pump uses |
| example, an average homeowner who wishes to | | | | electricity to run and it can cause higher utility bills |
| install a swimming pool in the backyard would opt | | | | for pool owners. |
| for an above ground swimming pool. This is a | | | | Solar pool heaters use free energy from the sun |
| relatively inexpensive type of swimming pool that | | | | and do not employ any other energy source. It |
| can be moved to another location as it is not a | | | | may indirectly use electricity to run a pool filter |
| permanent fixture. Likewise, there is a growing | | | | pump but its primary purpose is to clean the |
| concern for the environment as well that people | | | | swimming pool through the process of filtration. |
| are encouraged to go green in their lifestyle | | | | Compared to a gas-powered heater, solar pool |
| choices. Going green means choosing options that | | | | heaters may cost more initially but a gas heater |
| do not harm and instead protect the environment. | | | | can cost more to operate and maintain. Since gas |
| With an above ground swimming pool, the | | | | heaters use natural gas or propane for fuel, it will |
| homeowner saves money on its initial cost for | | | | cost pool owners to each time they need to heat |
| the kit and installation. The next challenge is to | | | | their pool. In areas where natural gas is not |
| make the most out of the investment. Extending | | | | available, it can be more expensive as propane |
| your swimming season is one way of getting | | | | costs more than natural gas. |
| value for money but this means adding a heating | | | | With more moving parts, a gas heater is more |
| system to your pool. By keeping pool water | | | | likely to break down resulting to added costs for |
| warm and comfortable through most of the year, | | | | repair or replacement of spare parts. |
| it ensures that you, your family and friends get to | | | | If we are to look at the long term effect on the |
| enjoy more months of swimming even before | | | | environment, a gas-powered pool heater emits |
| and after summer. | | | | harmful gases into the air while solar pool heaters |
| This brings the pool owner to making a choice | | | | use renewable and clean energy from the sun |
| between a gas-powered, electric heat pump and | | | | that it does no harm to the environment. |
| solar-powered heater. From a standpoint of rising | | | | Although it does not emit harmful gases, a heat |
| energy costs and environment friendly features, | | | | pump can also indirectly harm the environment as |
| let us compare these three pool heating systems. | | | | it uses electricity to run. |
| Solar pool heaters are comparable to an electric | | | | With these factors in mind, the smart pool owner |
| heat pump in terms of first cost. While the initial | | | | should probably consider using solar pool heaters |
| cost for both systems is just about the same, | | | | instead. They provide a good option for an |
| the long term benefit with solar pool heaters is | | | | inexpensive pool heating system that is friendly to |
| that they operate at almost no cost at all except | | | | the environment as well. |