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What
They Do, How they Work, Choosing the Right One & Much More!
 Pool
Heaters are a great way to warm your swimming pool water to your perfect
temperature during times when cool days, evenings or nights would normally
make your pool too cold to enjoy. Pool Heaters are a great way to extend
your swimming season, and provide heat on demand when you need it most.
In fact, no other piece of pool water heating equipment – be it a solar
heating application, or even a heat pump – has the ability to heat your
pool water as fast a pool heater!
The
information presented here will help you select the right size Pool
Heater for your swimming pool, discuss some of the different models
available, give an overview of the basic principles involved in heater
installation, as well as provide some tips you'll want to remember to
avoid common problems common to swimming pool heaters. If you have any
questions once you've reviewed this article, please feel free to give
our team of friendly Pool Experts a call at 1-800-334-2148.
They'd be happy to answer any questions about our Pool Heaters and offer
technical advice.
How
Does a Pool Heater Work?
A swimming pool heater works by burning fuel to create heat, which is
then passed through a heat exchanger and on to water drawn from your
swimming pool. The water, now considerably warmer, is then reintroduced
to the swimming pool, raising the overall temperature.
How
Do You Size a Swimming Pool Heater? (or "Why Bigger IS Usually Better")
Swimming pool heaters are rated according to their BTU output (a
measurement also known as British Thermal Units). 1 BTU is capable of
raising the temperature of 1 lb of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. Therefore
the more BTUs a pool heater produces, the faster it will heat the water
in your swimming pool. Because swimming pools come in all shapes and
sizes and are located in many different climates, you'll need to calculate
the number of BTUs needed to heat your swimming pool according to your
specifications in order to select the right pool heater. This can be
accomplished once the following variables have been determined
1.
Surface area - The main job of
any pool heater is to heat the pool water at a faster rate than heat
is being lost from the surface of the swimming pool. Once the ideal
temperature has been reached, your pool heater only needs to run enough
to compensate for the heat that escapes from the surface of the water.
Therefore, we strongly suggest using a quality Solar
Blanket in conjunction with
your pool heater (or with any piece of pool water heating equipment
for that matter), in order to maximize efficiency.
The
more surface area your pool contains through which heat can escape,
the more BTUs your pool heater will need to produce to heat your pool
water. Calculating the surface area of your swimming pool is relatively
easy, and some common calculations are provided here:
2.
Temperature rise
- The temperature rise of your pool water is a calculation of your desired
water temperature minus the average ambient air temperature. The desired
water temperature is simply the final temperature you'd like your pool
water to reach. The average ambient air temperature is the average daily
outdoor air temperature and should be figured on the basis of the coldest
month you plan on using your pool. For instance if you live in an area
where the average outdoor air temperature in May (the month you would
like to start using your pool) is 60 degrees and your desired water temperature
is 80 degrees, your temperature rise would be 20 degrees (80 - 60).
With
both surface area and temperature rise now calculated, you can refer to
the chart below to find just how many BTUs will be necessary for the desired
heating effect on your swimming pool:
| Pool
Heating Guide |
|
Temp
Rise (in ° F) |
|
5
° |
10
° |
15
° |
20° |
25
° |
| Surface
Area of Your Swimming Pool (in sq. ft) |
Required
Heater Output / Hour (in BTUs):
|
| 200 |
21,000 |
31,500 |
42,000 |
52,500 |
63,000 |
| 300 |
31,500 |
47,300 |
73,000 |
78,800 |
94,500 |
| 400 |
42,000 |
63,000 |
84,000 |
105,000 |
126,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 500 |
52,500 |
78,800 |
105,000 |
131,000 |
157,000 |
| 600 |
63,000 |
94,500 |
126,000 |
157,000 |
189,000 |
| 700 |
73,000 |
110,000 |
147,000 |
184,000 |
220,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 800 |
84,000 |
126,000 |
168,000 |
210,000 |
252,000 |
| 900 |
94,500 |
142,000 |
189,000 |
236,000 |
284,000 |
| 1,000 |
105,000 |
157,000 |
210,000 |
263,000 |
315,000 |
Chart
is based upon an assumed wind velocity of 3.5 mph. Totals should be multiplied
by a factor of 1.25 or 2.0 for wind speeds of 5 and 10 mph respectively.
After
finding the required number of BTUs / hr you will need from the above
chart, you can compare pool heater models based upon the BTUs they produce.
This number can be found by multiplying a pool heater's input (measured
in BTUs) by the pool heater's efficiency rating. An explanation of pool
heater efficiency follows here:
3.
Heater efficiency - Pool heater efficiency is provided by the
manufacturer, and is expressed as a percentage that represents the amount
of energy a pool heater transfers to the water for each unit of energy
(BTU) used to generate that heat. The US Department of Energy has mandated
that all pool heaters have an efficiency rating of at least 78%. So, as
an example, a 300,000 BTU pool heater with an efficiency of 85% would
produce 255,000 BTU/hr.
Something
To Remember When Selecting Your Swimming Pool Heater
When selecting your pool heater, always to select a heater rated somewhat
higher than your actual pool surface area and desired temperature rise
require. There is no such thing as “oversizing” a pool heater. The larger
the BTU output of the pool heater you buy, the quicker it will heat your
pool water. This means less run time on the heater and a longer overall
heater life span. You will always be glad you opted for the larger pool
heater.
Different
Types Of Swimming Pool Heaters
Swimming pool heaters come in various makes and models. The four main
differences in pool heater models have to do with (1) the type of fuel
the heater uses (natural gas or liquid propane), (2) the style of ignition
your pool heater will employ, (3) the level of emissions the pool heater
produces, and (4) the elevation for which the pool heater is rated.
Natural
Gas or Liquid Propane - What Will Your Pool Heater Run On?
When
selecting your pool heater, you'll need to decide between a natural gas
or liquid propane model. The type of fuel you use will be based on the
difference in availability and the price of fuels in your area. The price
of the pool heater model you choose should not be affected by the fuel
type you decide to use.
The
Difference Between Millivolt & Electronic Start Pool Heaters
A
millivolt swimming pool heater utilizes a standing pilot light that must
constantly stay lit to initiate the pool heating process. An electronic
start pool heater eliminates the need for this pilot light, by electronically
initiating the heating process. The drawback to the millivolt model is
that you may find yourself having to re-light the pilot light if it goes
out. This sounds easy enough but anybody who has ever needed to re-light
the pilot on a gas stove knows that this process needs to be performed
VERY CAREFULLY so as to avoid injury.
Low
NOx vs. Normal Emissions Pool Heaters
 A
"Low NOx" pool heater is a heater designed to release fewer emissions
than a regular pool heater. Recently, California mandated the use of these
pool heaters in certain counties. Due to their design, low NOx pool heaters
are by and large more efficient than traditional pool heaters. This higher
efficiency means a higher heat transfer and faster heating of your swimming
pool water.
Pool
Heaters Designed for Altitudes 2,000 Feet Above Sea Level
If
you live at an altitude 2,000 feet or more above sea level, you will need
a special model pool heater designed for that altitude. The difference
in the oxygen level in the air necessitates this special model. Just one
more thing to think about before purchasing a swimming pool heater!
Swimming
Pool Heater Installation Basics
Swimming pool heaters should always be installed after the filter system
and before any chlorinators or chemical injection systems in your swimming
pool's plumbing. This will ensure the heater receives a strong flow rate
of clean water, without any highly concentrated and potentially corrosive
chemicals. It will probably be necessary to enlist the help of a professional
electrician and/or natural gas professional in installing your pool heater.
This will not only ensure proper installation but is vitally important
so as to avoid injury. Different heater models will contain varying specifications
with regard to clearance and appropriate ventilation. ALL MANUFACTURER
SPECS SHOULD BE RIGIDLY ADHERED TO in order to ensure maximum safety and
heater efficiency (which will save you money).
Avoiding
Problems With Pool Heaters - A Few Reminders
 Swimming
pool heaters are a wonderful addition to the swimming pool area, due to
their ability to warm pool water to an inviting temperature, allowing
you to utilize the swimming pool comfortably more than ever before. Follow
these tips to avoid common problems and get the maximum life out of any
pool heater you buy:
Size
your Pool Heater appropriately. Remember a pool heater can
never be too big, but buy a pool heater that isn't big enough and you'll
never be satisfied.
Monitor
pH closely. pH is probably the single biggest problem pool
owners face with regard to pool cleaners and pool equipment in general.
A pH level that is too low (acidic) will cause corrosion, and a pH level
that is to high (base) will cause mineral deposits that could potentially
clog your pool heater's plumbing.
Maintain
correct flow rate. Backwashing your swimming pool filter or
washing out the cartridge occasionally will ensure that enough water gets
to your pool heater for it to function efficiently.
Protect
your investment. We recommend use of a pool
heater cover to keep the heater
protected from the elements.
Allow
appropriate clearance around the Pool Heater. This will be
specified in your owner's manual.
Make
sure your Heater's gas pressure is adjusted appropriately.
This step should be performed upon installation BY A PROFESSIONAL.
We
hope you found this information helpful. If you have any questions, please
feel free to call us at 1-800-334-2148.
Our team of friendly Pool Experts will be happy to answer any questions
about our Pool Heaters, offer technical advice and help you select the
model that's just right for your pool, your situation.
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