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If you are considering the purchase of a swimming pool heater, there is a good chance that either you or someone important to you (a spouse maybe?) has already decided that a pool heater would be a nice addition.  The things to consider now would be the pros and cons along with the expense.

The positive side of getting a swimming pool heater is easy.  Not many people enjoy jumping into freezing cold water.  Most people want to be refreshed, not chilled to the bone.  Actually, what is very nice about getting your pool equipped with a heater is the fact that you can extend your swimming season considerably beyond the traditional end of the season on Labor Day.  You probably won’t have your outdoor pool open on Thanksgiving in most places, but you can definitely buy yourself some time when the evenings begin to get chilly.

A swimming pool heater can be run on natural gas, propane, or most commonly, electricity in most locations.  Heat pumps for swimming pools are also an option to consider.  Electric and propane are the most common heating methods.   For those most interested in staying “green”, there are solar heating systems available as well.  One drawback of solar heating is that you must have the necessary sunlight to power the system.  There is a great variation in available sunlight as you move from place to place in the United States, and I’m sure this applies for most of the world as well.  If you can’t depend on a lot of sunny days, you can’t depend on solar heating for your pool either.

As far as the practicality of owning a swimming pool heater, it depends a lot on the area in which you live.  Keeping a pool warm in Maine through the fall is going to take more energy and power (and more money) than heating the same pool in Houston.  That is sort of a no brainer.  Because of this simple fact, the requirements for a swimming pool heater will also vary depending on where you live.  You are going to need a swimming pool heater that can take a heavier load in cooler climates.  By the same token, a larger pool, will hold much more water and will require a more robust heating system as well.

photo credit: tombothetominator

Running a swimming pool heater can get expensive, so if you do decide to install one, you should look for the most energy efficient model you can lay your hands on.  It may cost more up front, but you should take a few minutes to figure out if you will get your money back in energy savings over  the longer term.  Most appliances of this type will have some type of documentation that will tell you this exact information.  Regardless of whether you go for the heater or not, you should also consider getting a solar cover for your pool.  These are relatively inexpensive and can also help to keep your pool’s water warm by acting like an insulating blanket.  Here are a few popular swimming pool heaters available right now…

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