About to buy a new inground pool!

[CarlD]

Hi PJM--I'm not far from you, being just West of Newark, so we have very similar climate conditions. I use solar heating and have for over 10 years, so you can use it VERY effectively to extend your swimming season from the standard Memorial Day - Labor Day by a month on either side--from 3 months to 5 months. Of course, this year it might be mid-April!

IMHO, I would take a 36x18 pool over a 32x20 any day. But, I am a lap-swimmer, going to my local Y a couple of times a week. You cannot really lap in 32', but can in 36', although I think 40' is the minimum for lapping. My pool is 16x40 and it is easily wide enough for pool parties and lots of kids and grownup.

I think switching from oil heat to gas heat just to be able to heat your pool is unwise. If you are considering gas heat anyway, because of the cost savings, that's another story. But, despite our fairly high electricity costs, you should consider a heat pump as it will be FAR less costly to run than natural gas. Still, unless you want to swim outside of the May-->September corridor, solar will work extremely well...and costs virtually nothing to run.

Just my thoughts!