Pool Heaters?

[MarkC]

What part of the country do you live in? Do you have a spa?

[cnk]

We live in Oklahoma. We have summertime temps in the 90s, so I don't want to run it then. Just get it up to a decent temp. We can go all summer and it stays cold. It's a fiberglass pool. Maybe the insulation around it keeps the water cold and it only gets a couple hours of sun. We do not have a spa.

[MarkC]

I would recommend a heat pump before a gas heater. I have had a heat pump heating my pool for the past 5 years and it has worked flawlessly. It will cost more initially than a natural gas or propane heater but over time you will recover that costs. Only downside is that when the weather is cool the heat pump takes much longer to heat the pool. We usually wait for a warm few days forcast by the weatherman and start heating the pool during the warmest part of the daytime (Usually 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Once the pool has heated up (It may take a few days) it's easy to keep it at the desired temperature. I don't spend more than $150 average for electric (main filter pump, cleaner booster pump, heater) during the summer. I keep the pool covered with a solar cover until the kids are home during the summer, then it's off unless we get some unseasonably cold weather.

[CarlD]

Even if the pool is shaded, you can use solar heat if the panels are placed in the sun, like on a roof. Since you only have summer use (like me) the solar heating is VERY effective. Flexible PVC (TigerFlex) and regular PVC is VERY easy to run.

[waterbear]

I would also say a heat pump is the way to go if you want to minimize your costs over the years. I have an AquaCal Icebreaker which will heat in freezing temperatures (not that we get many here in N. FL) but it has allowed me to use my pool and spa all winter. Solar might also be an option if you just want to heat the pool during the summer swim season. Once you do heat the pool a solar cover will make a big difference in keeping the water warm when the pool is not in use.

[cnk]

Are there any differences in the solar systems. Is there one that is better than the other or are they all basically the same?

[kaybinster]

I also have a heat pump on my pool in NJ and it works great. They make models that will reverse and actually cool the pool for you as well if you live in a hot southern area where it gets too hot during the summer.