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An inground pool heater can add many more days and weeks of enjoyable swimming, particularly in climates like Connecticut with four distinct seasons. Extending your in-ground pool fun time with a heater can be satisfying and affordable when you choose the right heating technology for your pool.
The Swimming Pool Store offers pool heater consultations to evaluate key factors when choosing the most effective, cost-efficient pool heater for your inground pool.
Inground Pool Heater Benefits
There are many benefits to adding a pool heater to your inground pool. In addition to ensuring your water is at the right temperature for comfortable swimming all season long, a pool heater will extend your swimming season by several weeks, and even by an entire month or more in northeastern climates.
Having a heater for your inground pool is the perfect way to entertain friends and family. Everyone loves a pool party when they aren’t freezing, and they’re guaranteed to enjoy a nice, warm pool day or evening.
For pool owners with children, a heated pool is more inviting and easier to get the kids to enjoy and to teach young ones the basics of swimming. Even your pets will enjoy a warmer pool if they like to swim.
Extending the swimming season and ensuring that everyone you care about enjoys your pool as much as you do are excellent benefits of a heated pool.
Pool Heater Options for Inground Pools
The most common types of pool heaters used for inground pools include gas, propane, and electric heat pumps. Solar heating pool systems are more popular in climates with year-round high sun exposure, though using a solar blanket is recommended regardless of the type of pool heater you choose. Using a solar blanket, especially at night, significantly reduces pool water evaporation, which is the most significant cause of heat loss.
There are a few factors to consider when choosing the best inground pool heater for you. Some of the most important considerations include:
- The size of your pool
- The climate you live in
- The amount of sun exposure on your pool daily
- The amount of wind exposure
- How quickly do you want to heat the water
In areas like Connecticut, pool owners want to heat the water quickly and maintain a pleasant, comfortable temperature throughout the season. Additional information on choosing the correct type of pool heater can be found on the U.S. Department of Energy website.
Propane and Natural Gas Inground Pool Heater
Gas pool heaters operate with either natural gas or propane, and both heat pool water quickly. There are, however, differences in distribution methods and energy content across fuel types. Choosing between propane and natural gas will depend on your needs and priorities. Both fuel methods for gas pool heaters can heat your pool even if the outdoor temperature is below 55°F.
Some differences between natural gas and propane pool heaters include:
- Fuel source – natural gas heaters connect to your permanently installed gas line, ensuring gas is always available. Propane heaters require a storage tank and refilling when the gas runs out. This requires active management of your fuel supply.
- Energy usage – propane has advantages over natural gas when comparing the energy content per cubic foot of each fuel. Propane produces approximately 2,516 BTUs per cubic foot, while natural gas produces about 1,030 BTUs per cubic foot. A propane inground pool heater can heat the same volume of water as a natural gas heater with a fraction of the amount of fuel.
- Fuel cost – the advantage that propane has over energy usage must be compared to the cost of the fuel. In some parts of the country, depending on the price of each fuel source and your environment, one may be more advantageous than the other.
Propane pool heaters are very popular in Connecticut because they heat water quickly, are reliable, and are efficient. The Swimming Pool Store can help you evaluate each option and choose the best gas pool heating method for you.
In-Ground Pool Heat Pumps
An electric heat pump is another popular method for heating inground pools, although it operates dependently on the outside temperature. Since most pool owners do not open the pool until the outdoor ambient temperature is above 55°F, this is typically not a problem. For those who wish to start heating their pool earlier or heat it later in the season, however, this may be an issue. Electric heat pumps operate by drawing in outside air, where a compressor increases the heat, passing warm gas through the circulating pool water. An electric heat pump will cost more than a gas heater, although it typically costs less to operate.
In-Ground Pool Heater Consultation
The Swimming Pool Store offers professional pool heater consultations to help you choose the best inground pool heating method for your needs, using the most energy-efficient pool heating technology. We offer the best inground pool heaters on the market from top manufacturers, ensuring reliable, energy-efficient heating for your inground pool.
Contact Us for Pool Openings
The Swimming Pool Store offers more than 50 years of experience in providing high-quality, knowledgeable swimming pool supplies and services. You can find all the pool supplies you need for the entire year in our large, modern store and ask about our quality swimming pool services. Contact us to learn more and schedule your personal pool heater consultation to help you choose the best inground pool heater.