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.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there anything bad using chlorine gas versus ...
By: poolneophyte | 05-07-2007
is there anything bad using chlorine gas versus liquid chlorine into your pool?
Adding a Pool
By: Hulio10 | 12-02-2007
I'm seriously considering adding a pool in my garden. I'd like to get some advice from people whoown one, about stuff I should take into account?
An anti urine pool chemical agent
By: star | 29-01-2007
I remember when I was a child my neighborhood pool lifeguard told all the children that there is a chemical agent in the water that turns urine in to a bright red color . I did not give it much thought back then , but now I want to know how does it work.
I Itch all over after swimming
By: bergerui | 10-12-2006
Every time I wash after the pool I itch all over, I guess it is from the chlorine. I is there anything I can do to stop this ?
What did pool balls manufacurers use before the age of plastic.
By: majormajor | 13-11-2006
Again I find my self with a YEDDA question while I am playing pool , I know it is an old game , older then modern oil refining, which means that back in the days the pool ( billiard ) manufacturers did not have plastic to make the balls. now they had to use a light and very strong material, and I have no clue what that could have been. So my question is what did pool balls manufacurers use before the age of plastic.
The difference between billiiard and pool?
By: Kato | 16-08-2006
what is the difference between Billiard and pool?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Home and Family Articles
The Infrawave Speed Oven - Microwave Fast Without the Microwave Taste
By: John Mann | 06/09/2008
The Infrawave speed oven from Black & Decker will let you forget all about your traditional toaster-oven. It's the latest thing in cooking technology.
Nyc Home Renovation Project - Do You Know What it Takes?
By: Tomer Harel | 05/09/2008
The article talks about the home renovation projects - how to take it one step at a time and reap its rewards.
Day Care Centers and Related Services
By: Dave Text | 05/09/2008
Various types of Day Care Centers offer different activities and facilities for kids. Finding the right Day Care Center for your child only requires you to check on the qualifications of both the facility, its teachers and staff.
Day Care Centers serve as a nursery for pre school children. They provide...
Stroller Bags - Why Many Parents Love Them
By: David Cummings | 05/09/2008
Stroller bags - or bags that attach to a baby's stroller as and when you want to carry around all those thingamajigs that you have to have with a baby - are a real necessity for busy parents. These bags are becoming popular with parents day-by-day because they save you...
Double Jogging Strollers to Double Your Fun
By: David Cummings | 04/09/2008
Congratulations! You have two little ones to tow around with you when you're out running errands, taking a walk, or jogging through the park. It may seem like a daunting task to have two babies to bring along rather than just one, but with a little bit of planning, you...
American Express Gift Cards
By: Chad Nordaune | 04/09/2008
American Express gift cards provide a simple solution for businesses and consumers. Businesses can reward their employees, or award their customers. Consumers can send a personalized gift card to their loved ones as a Christmas gift, a graduation present, or a birthday.
Learn How to Prevent and Disinfect Mold
By: Tony Evans | 04/09/2008
Excessive moisture and improper ventilation can lead to the growth of mold inside of homes and buildings. This article describes how to prevent mold from forming and also how to remove it once it has formed.
How to Catch a Cheating Spouse Online
By: Ed Opperman | 04/09/2008
With so many failed relationships caused by cheating its a good idea to be curious about your mates online activity.
More from Jeff King
Things That Go Bump In The Night: Lock Bumping Makes Any Home Vulnerable
By: Jeff King | 15/05/2007 | Home Improvement
Through inexpensive tools and a little practice, lock bumping can be done by anyone
Deadbolts. Chains. Security systems. It seems people will go to any length to keep their home and their belongings safe. But even when the homeowners get smart, so do the crooks. For every lock out there, someone...
Pool Cleaners - Take the Garbage Out to Put the Enjoyment Back in
By: Jeff King | 16/04/2007 | Home and Family
No matter what type of pool you have, you’ll need to perform regular maintenance on it. Potentially, the biggest task you'll face is keeping your pool clean. Unless you want to spend hours of time scrubbing your pool instead of swimming in it, you should take a look at automatic pool cleaners.
Led Light Bulbs - Use Them To Save Energy And Money!
By: Jeff King | 10/04/2007 | Home Improvement
Light Emitting Diodes, more often pronounced as LED light bulbs, are small size, solid light bulbs that are highly energy efficient and are vastly replacing standard Incandescent bulbs. They are very energy efficient and consume, relatively, less energy than traditional bulbs. They are very simple in use and have a...
Lock Bumping – a New Phenomenon?
By: Jeff King | 31/03/2007 | Home Security
The term lock bumping conjures up images of people in stripy jumpers with eye masks on bumping against a locked door on the off chance that it will open and they can fill their bags full of ‘swag’. The reality is a lot less glamorous and a lot more worrying.
You're Enjoying your Pool - Now What About Supplies?
By: Jeff King | 14/03/2007 | Home and Family
Swimming pools are a great addition to any home. They provide you, your family and your friends with a way to relax, exercise and keep cool on hot summer days. But unfortunately, swimming pools are not maintenance-free. They must be kept clean and the water must be tested and treated to make sure that it's safe to swim in.
Swimming Pool Covers - are They Really a Necessity?
By: Jeff King | 01/03/2007 | Home and Family
Have you been thinking about adding a swimming pool to your home? Having your own swimming pool at home can be a fabulous way to have fun for yourself, your family and your friends. Throughout the hot summer months nothing is more relaxing than a pool. Swimming pools most often bring to mind enjoyment, exercise and summer relaxation, but they are also a great way to enhance the value of your home.
Curtains and Drapes Fabric - Have you Cottoned On?
By: Jeff King | 02/12/2006 | Home and Family
There are a number of fabrics that are commonly used to make curtains and drapes. The fibres that are used to manufacture the material determine how well it will wear and wash and how well it will hang at your window or door. The yarns used to construct the fabric can be man-made or animal or vegetable in origin.
Halogen Light Bulbs - As Clear As Day
By: Jeff King | 25/11/2006 | Accessories
If you are looking for light bulbs with a better energy efficiency than standard incandescent light bulbs then halogen light bulbs may well be the answer. They provide more light output for energy input and can be found in ofiices, homes and vehicles. Halogen lamps were originally developed to combat the problem of the short lifespan of standard bulbs. Halogen lamps are, therefore, well known for their efficiency and durability.