Best Ways to heat your pool this winter

You don’t need to join a gym to get in shape in the new year. Making use of your pool throughout the winter can help you reach your wellness goals and avoid the winter blues!

Swimming is a great way to relax and exercise at the end of the day or on the weekend. Why miss out on these benefits during the winter? You can burn more calories making slow laps around your pool for thirty minutes than putting your body through a high-intensity workout for the same amount of time. The resistance that water exerts on your body is what makes time in the pool so good for your bones, joints, and muscles. A pool water heater allows you to take advantage of these benefits year-round.

 

 

There are four types of pool heaters that you can choose from gas, electric, air-source or water-source. We’ve put together this guide to help you figure out which would be best for you.

Gas Pool Heate

A gas heater is fueled by either propane or natural gas. It’s the most popular type of pool heater because of its reliability. Unlike air-source or water-source heaters, it will keep your pool warm no matter how cold it is outside. It will also heat up the water fast so that you don’t have to wait long to jump in.

There are a few drawbacks. Gas heaters are more expensive to use and will only last for about 5 years. The cost of running your gas pool heater can be up to $500 per month. For many pool owners, it is worth the cost. At Pool Works, we carry models from RayPak a trusted manufacturer of long-last, high-efficiency gas heaters.

Electric Pool Heaters

An electric pool heater uses electricity to heat your pool. It’s the second most popular pool heater because of its efficiency and reliability. Unless the power goes out, you can rely on your electric heater to keep your pool warm even in freezing temperatures. We carry electric heaters from Rheem that have a 600% heat efficiency rating! Installation is also simple since you don’t need to connect it to a gas line, propane tank, or water line.
The only drawback of using an electric heater is that it will increase your electric bill.

Water-Source Heat Pump

A water-source heat pump transfers heat from other water sources (like wells, ponds or lakes) to your pool. The benefit of this heat pump is that it is inexpensive to operate and eco-friendly. The drawbacks are that the technology has limitations and the installation costs are high.

Water-source heat pumps operate best in moderate climates where the air temperature rarely falls below 50°F (10°C). During a winter when the temperature frequently drops below that, it won’t be very effective. The installation process is also complex and costly for this type of pool heater since it needs to be connected to a large well or long water lines.

Air-Source Heat Pump

An air-source heat pump transfers heat from the air to your pool. This is a great option if you are looking for a heater that’s good for your budget and the planet. Since it’s powered by the air, you won’t have to worry about your energy bill increasing when you use it.

Unfortunately, this eco-friendly pool heater has one of the same drawbacks as a water-source heat pump. Its efficiency will plummet when the temperature drops below 50°F (10°C). This is why gas and electric pool heaters continue to be the most popular.

Solar Blanket

A solar blanket is a pool cover that traps heat from the sun in your pool. It also prevents water in your swimming pool from evaporating. Covering your pool with a solar blanket when it isn’t in use can reduce your swimming pool heating costs. A solar blanket can increase the water temperature by up 15° F. Using a solar blanket along with a pool heater can keep your pool at a comfortable temperature all winter long without breaking the bank.

Whether your biggest concern is reliability or environmental impact, you can find a pool heater that is right for you! We hope that this guide has helped point you in the right direction. If you’d like to learn more, stop by PoolWorks to speak to one of our pool experts!