Swimming Pool Heating

The most popular system for heating a swimming pool are gas-fired pool heaters which have been improved over the years to produce highly cost efficient results compared to older models.

Gas pool heaters use either natural gas or propane fuels. As the pump circulates the pool’s water, this water is drawn from the pool and passes through a filter system before it is passed to the heater. Gas is burnt in the heater’s combustion chamber, which generates heat that is transferred to the water before being returned to the pool.

Gas heating systems are most efficient when heating pools for short periods of time, and they are excellent at rapidly heating pools. Consequently, gas pool heaters are generally considered to be a good choice for pools that aren’t used on a regular basis.

Unlike heat pump and solar pool heaters, gas pool heaters can maintain any desired temperature regardless of weather or climate conditions.

Selecting a Gas Pool Heater

When selecting a gas swimming pool heater, you need to consider the size of the pool, the cost of running a heated pool and the efficiency of the water heating system.

Sizing a Gas Pool Heater

Sizing a gas pool heater involves many factors and should be left to experts to calculate. Basically, a heater is sized according to the surface area of the water in the pool and the difference between the required water temperature and average air temperatures.

Outdoor pools have other factors that affect the heating load, such as wind exposure, humidity levels, and night temperatures. Therefore, pools located in areas with higher average wind speeds at the pool surface, lower humidity, and cooler nights will require a larger heating outputs.

Installation and Maintenance

Proper installation and maintenance of gas pool heating can optimise its efficiency. A qualified pool heating professional is essential, and can install the heater properly and carry out complicated maintenance or repair tasks as required.

Your owner’s manual should be consulted to ensure that you keep to the recommended maintenance schedule and/or recommendations. You’ll probably need to tune up your pool heater annually to allow for changing conditions. In hard water areas, scaling in the burner or heat exchanger may also decrease its efficiency over a period of time.

With proper installation and maintenance, gas pool heaters typically last at least five years before they need any replacement parts.

Gas pool heaters are rated by Btu (British thermal unit) output. These output calculations range from 75,000 Btu to 450,000 Btu.