Pool Heaters: the Secret to Long Swimming Seasons

If you live in an area that is known for it's hot summer weather, a swimming pool can be a fun and healthy way to stay cool. Swimming pools have become very popular, and could be one of the best investments you make in your home's value and your family's health.

Many swimming pool owners are opting for swimming pool heaters to extend their swimming season, especially if their home is in an area with relatively short summers. The sun is able to keep your pool water at a comfortable swimming temperature during the long summer days. But in the transitional spring and fall months, the days are shorter and the angle of the sun isn't high enough to heat your pool water very much. That's where pool heaters come in. If you live in northern climates, swimming pool heaters can practically double your swimming season.

There are several different types of pool heaters available, but gas pool heaters are the most common. Specifically, propane pool heaters are some of the best and most cost efficient ways to heat your swimming pool. Gas pool heaters tend to be the least expensive to purchase. Propane swimming pool heaters can heat a greater amount of water more quickly than electricity. Oil-fired pool heaters are also available in some areas, but are much less common.

Electric pool heaters are most often based on a heat pump design. Similar to electric heat pumps used to heat some homes, electric pool heaters take advantage of the heat that already exists in the outside air. The air heats freon gas, which is then compressed to raise it's temperature even higher. The hot gas is then piped to a heat exchanger, where the heat is transferred to the pool water. The heated water is then pumped back into the swimming pool.

It's also possible to find or even build your own solar pool heater. Solar pool heaters use the sun's energy to heat the water. It would appear that you're getting the heating energy at no cost from the sun, and in fact you are. But don't forget you have to pump the water from your pool into the solar pool heater, where it is heated and returned to the pool. Most people end up using an electric pump to move the water, which means you don't realize the full energy savings that you might expect. Of course, most pool heater designs require pumping the water from the pool to the heater and back again.

Raypak is a leading manufacturer of swimming pool heaters, both for home pools and commercial pools. Raypak pool water heaters can be easily converted to run on either natural gas or propane. Raypak pool water heaters are known for their high-efficiency. Efficiency refers to the amount of energy actually used for heating the water (compared to how much is used running the heater or how much is lost). Raypak also manufactures electric pool heaters.

If you have your own swimming pool at home, you can go swimming anytime you want. You'll have something cool and relaxing to do with your family and friends on those hot summer days. And if you add a swimming pool heater, you'll be enjoying your pool long before AND long after the public swimming pools are open.