Swimming is a great way to relieve stress, improve your health, and simply have fun. However, the weather doesn’t always cooperate, leaving your pool forgotten for much of the year.
But this doesn’t have to be the case with a pool heating system.
This begs the question: What are the pros and cons of the various types of pool heating systems available? Does one do a better job at that task than the others?
At Celestial Solar & Water Systems, we certainly think there’s a clear winner in solar pool heaters. But we want you to have all the information so you can make the decision that’s right for you.
So let’s dive into our guide, where we’ll cover the following:
- Overview of pool heating types
- Cost comparison and long-term savings
- Environmental impact of pool heating options
- Maximizing your pool heating system’s efficiency
- Making the best choice for your pool heating needs
Whether you’re a new pool owner or looking to upgrade your current heating system, we’ll help you make the best choice for your home.
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Overview of Pool Heating Types
When determining how to heat a swimming pool, you’re met with three main options:
- Gas
- Electric
- Solar
Solar pool heating stands out as the most efficient option overall. For one, solar pool heaters last longer than any other system except for electrical, which shares a similar lifespan of about 15 years or so. Quality solar systems will beat even that, lasting 20+ years if properly maintained.
What about gas-based systems? Well, here it’s a bit more of a mixed bag. While gas-based pool heating systems tend to heat water quickly, they also have astronomical heating costs associated with them. It’s also one of the least environmentally friendly options. In addition to those challenges, gas systems have the lowest lifespan of about 5-10 years.
Electric pool heating systems fall into two categories: older electric resistance heaters and newer heat pumps. Heat pumps are relatively efficient and have a long lifespan of 5-15 years. They’re a bit more environmentally friendly and last longer than gas-based systems, but aren’t quite up to par with solar-based systems.
Cost Comparison and Long-Term Savings
There’s almost no competition when comparing the running costs of older electric and gas pool heaters to efficient solar pool heaters and to a slightly lesser extent, heat pump pool heaters.
Looking at gas, for example, the U.S. Department of Energy notes that a homeowner will spend about $2,126 to maintain a pool at 78 degrees over just the summer season. During the same period, a heat pump costs approximately $1,090.
Solar blows both types of pool-heating systems out of the water because the energy comes from the sun and requires no other fuel to run. Hence, it may not cost anything at all to run. In fact, all of those energy savings tend to pay for the whole solar system in about 1 to 7 years.
Environmental Impact of Pool Heating Options
Gas pool heaters can have efficiency ratings as low as 55%, meaning 45% of the energy they consume is wasted. Heat pumps, by comparison, output more heat than the energy they consume, making them inefficient as well. That’s no good!
Solar pool heating is once again the clear winner. These heating systems use only minuscule amounts of electricity and rely on renewable energy from the sun to run.
Maximizing Your Pool Heating System’s Efficiency
Regardless of what pool heating system you choose, you can take a few extra steps to limit energy use. These include:
- Using a pool cover. A pool cover makes the most substantial difference to pool heating costs. The U.S. Department of Energy states it saves up to 50%-70%.
- Optimizing pool chemistry. Maintaining the proper pH and chemistry of your pool improves your swimming experience and reduces strain on heating systems.
- Installing a windbreak. Whether it’s a solid wall or a few trees and shrubs, any form of windbreak can help limit the loss of heat from your pool.
- Getting regular maintenance. All pool heaters need maintenance to maintain their full efficiency. An annual inspection is ideal.
Making the Best Choice for Your Pool Heating Needs
Gas and electrical pool heating systems have their place, but nothing compares to solar when it comes to efficiency, environmental awareness, and longevity. In fact, the only downside to solar is the upfront cost of the panels. Even this is a minor objection because solar panels pay for themselves and then some in much-reduced energy costs over the long term.
Before making any choice, though, consider discussing your needs with a professional like Celestial Solar & Water Systems. We can recommend budget-friendly solutions to keep you swimming all year.
Dive into Savings With Solar Pool Heating
Contact Celestial Solar & Water Systems for your solar pool heating needs. As a factory-authorized distributor in Southern California, Nevada, and Arizona for the ISwim, Solaria, and Q-cells Solar Panels, we work with the highest-quality pool heating systems.
