Know Your Pool Equipment: Pool Heaters

Swimming pool heaters work by transferring heat to your pool water through a heat exchanger. Heat exchangers allow your pool water to warm up by exposing the water to a source of heat as it pumps through the pool heater.

Adding a pool heater can be a significant investment. One of the most significant factors associated with operating your pool heater is efficiency.

The more energy-efficient the pool heater, the lower the operational cost, and the less time it needs to run to deliver the same amount of heat for your pool water.

For example, if you buy $1.00 worth of gas and your heater is 82% efficient, your heater puts $0.82 worth of heat into the water. Likewise, at 96% efficiency, the ETi® 400 and High-Efficiency Pool and Spa Heater would put $0.96 worth of heat into the water for the same price. The more efficient the heater, the less it costs to operate.

1. SIZE OF HEATER
   Pool heaters and heat pumps are sized based on their heating capacity measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). A BTU measures how much energy is required to heat 1 gallon of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit (1F). Most heat pumps can deliver between 100,000 – 150,000 BTUs depending on their size, and most gas pool heaters produce between 175,000 – 400,000 BTUs.
2. LOCATION, GAS AVAILABILITY AND ELECTRICITY COSTS
   In general, heat pumps thrive in mild to warm climates where electricity costs are low to moderate. Gas heaters can be a great option in cooler climates where gas prices are low to moderate.
3. SIZE AND FEATURES OF YOUR POOL
   Work with your pool professional to identify the right pool heating option for your pool since the size and additional pool features may dictate which pool heating option delivers optimal pool heating performance.

1. CHECK POOL CHEMISTRY WEEKLY
   When you routinely check and maintain proper pool water chemistry, you minimize the chance of heater damage or corrosion.
2. REMEMBER TO WINTERIZE YOUR POOL EQUIPMENT
   It's nice to control your pool water temperature, but in the chance of a snowstorm or if you experience all four seasons, remember to get on your pool pro's schedule to help winterize your pool equipment.
3. PRO TIP: TOTAL CONTROL AT YOUR FINGERTIPS = COST MANAGEMENT
   Managing the run-time of your pool heater or heat pump efficiency is one of the best ways to lower utility costs and keep more money in your pocket. Pool automation systems can help reduce operating costs by enabling you to set schedules and run times for your pool heating technology and equipment, so your pool is warm when you want it to be and saving you energy when you don't.