INFORMATION CENTER

Heating Your Pool/Spa

Choices you have
To heat your pool/spa there are three common options you may choose from. (1)Electric Heat Pumps - (2)Solar Collectors - (3)Gas Fired Heaters.  The most efficient for you are the (solar systems) which absorb heat from the sun's radiation, and (Heat Pumps) which attract heat from the air. Below you will find information on each of the above.

Heat Pumps
Heat pumps work this way - Inside the heat pump contains a liquid Freon gas. This gas circulates through the coils by using a compressor. As this liquid passes thru the coils it absorbs heat from the air, which in effect turns the liquid into a gaseous mixture. The warm gas mixture is then compressed forming a very hot gas which then passes thru the system's heat exchanger. Your pool water is circulating around the heat exchanger which absorbs the heat. As the water becomes warmer (absorbing the gas heat) the freon turns cooler and back to a liquid state. Then the cycle starts all over again.  The heat pump is designed to automatically turn off once the desired temperature setting is reached. Heat Pumps are most efficient in warm humid weather, and will work better for spas and small to medium (12 to 15,000 gallons) pools. In colder weather, a heat pump will run longer trying to reach the desired temperature. A cover is recommended for the best effiency.  A heat pump's cost is generally more than a gas fired heater.

Solar Collectors
A good solar system will will give you the quickest return on your investment.  This is a simple system that gives you year round heating for your pool. This system is not real effective for spas since the desired temperature for spas would be hard to reach.  The other drawback is the collector system which would require a collector area of about 350 to 500 sq. ft. of black pvc installed on a roof or panel. If the drawbacks are acceptable then you could have a year round swimming pool available to use.

Gas Fired Heaters
With a 'high output' natural gas or Propane' gas fired heater, you can increase the temperature of a 500 to 1000 gal. spa 40 degrees in less than an hour. The pool (avg. 20,000 to 30,000 gals.) can be heated up to 80 to 90 degrees in a matter of hours (24 to 48). Cost for this varies due to the variable cost of your gas. Although heaters come in a variety of sizes (measured in btu's), the most common and largest (in the residential line) is the 400,000 btu.  This one is really recommended for most pool/spa applications.  Just remember, 'the larger the btu's, the better'.

Some Tips
Your pool's water is circulated through return lines generally 12" to 18" below water surface.  The suction part generally is brought thru skimmers located at water level.  So this being the case, your water will be warmer on the upper portion of your pool and cooler at the bottom of pool.  One way to get around this is to have an 'in floor cleaning system' installed. This method will heat entire pool more effectively and also clean pool at the same time.