Choosing the best pool heater for your swimming pool depends on your location and the number of cold days you’ll experience each year. Pool heaters are available in three different power source types: solar, electric and gas. Each type of pool heater typically works with vinyl liner, fiberglass, and concrete-constructed swimming pools.
Cheapest Way To Heat A Swimming Pool
Using any pool heater to heat the water together with a pool cover is one of the cheapest ways, in the long run, to keep a pool warm during cooler months. It takes a swimming pool much longer to lose water heat when a pool cover is in place to maintain the water temperature. In South Florida, you may only need to occasionally use your pool heating system if you use a pool cover to trap the warmth. You’ll run your pool heater less, which will save you money.
Cost-Effective Pool Heater Options
You’ll find a few cost-effective heating options for swimming pools in South Florida. Solar pool heaters utilize abundant sunshine, significantly reducing operational expenses. Heat pumps offer efficient heating by transferring warmth from the air to the water. Both options minimize energy bills while extending the swimming season. Additionally, pool covers help retain heat, further optimizing heating systems. These ensure comfortable water temperatures without breaking the bank in the sunny climate.
Swimming Pool Heater Brands
Jandy, Golf Stream, Rheem, and other units are common brands of pool heaters. Our company provides annual maintenance services to keep them running efficiently. Hiring a reliable company to offer tune-up services on these pool heaters will help them last longer and prevent major breakdowns. Most manufacturers will have a 7-year parts warranty.
Solar Pool Heaters
The cheapest way to heat a pool is through a solar heater. The cost of running a solar pool heater is essentially free, aside from occasional maintenance. While solar pool heaters are cost-efficient in the long run, they are much more expensive to install—often even more costly than a conventional heater—because they require solar collectors and a heat storage area. Another potential drawback is the look of solar panels, which some people find unsightly.
Solar panels are installed on top of the roof and require drilling through the roof material. If the holes drilled during installation are not sealed, the solar panels may leak on the roof over time. Leaky solar panels can cause roof problems and water damage. They may also need to be replaced every few years because they form a water leak onto the roof.
Gas Pool Heaters
Gas heaters are the most common type of pool heater in the United States due to the cost and availability of propane gas. Gas pool heaters are less expensive to operate than electric pool heaters. Many people feel it is economical because it heats a pool much faster than other heaters and has much more BTU capability. These heaters can get up to 399,000 BTUs vs. electric, up to 150,000 BTUs. Gas pool heaters are reliable and will last years with proper maintenance. Jandy and Raypak heaters are our preferred since the parts are readily available.
Electric Pool Heaters
Electric pool heaters are the more popular choice in South Florida than gas pool heaters because many houses do not have a propane gas tank. These are the go-to pool heaters for these applications because they only require an electrical plug. They act like air conditioner heat pumps that absorb the heat from the outdoor air and heat the water. These units do not heat up as quickly as gas heaters, so they run an extra day or two before the water reaches the desired temperature. Electric pool heater units are reliable; getting replacement parts is usually quick and easy.
