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Having a pool is great. It’s like having a little slice of the ocean right in your backyard, ready for you to frolic and soak in the water whenever you want.
However, there is a lot of planning and decision-making that must go into any investment you make for your pool, and one of those key decisions is in choosing whether you’d rather have a pool heater or a heat pump.
While you can’t go wrong with either, there are differences to each of them that might make you prefer one over the other. Remember, it’s your pool, so you have the final say in what you want to do here.
Gas Pool Heaters
This is the most popular option for warming up your swimming pool, which you likely will want no matter what, simply because having heated water to dive into is a feeling unlike any other. This classic pool heater model is familiar to most people, and typically runs on propane or gas. If you decide to choose this type of heater, make sure you consider the size and energy needs of your pool.
Gas pool heaters work by heating the fuel inside its combustion chamber, generating a sizable amount of heat. Water from there is then drawn into coils inside the pump, passing by the hot coils inside, as a result getting very warm before filtering back out to the pool. This process repeats over and over until you hit your desired temperature, which might be pretty high or low depending on your preference.
Benefits and Drawbacks
The biggest benefit of gas pool heaters is that they have a low upfront cost, meaning they’re much cheaper to buy. This makes it an attractive option if you don’t want to spend too much on your pool. They’re also very effective at heating your pool quickly, meaning if you have an upcoming social event, you can quickly get things warm and toasty.
They tend to perform better in colder climates because they use their own source of heat rather than an external one. So, if you want to be able to dive into the pool even when it starts getting chilly, consider this option. They also work great for hot tubs because of this same reason. They can get the water up to the high temperatures that you desire.
The one big drawback of gas pool heaters is that it may not be as energy efficient as other options. While they work quickly, that comes with the cost of using a significant amount of power to do so. They also may operate in surges that aren’t as efficient as the slow-and-steady heat pump.
As a result of this, you could be burning through more propane and gas than you might expect. Therefore, if you’re using it regularly, you will be paying additional expenses to keep it fuelled and running constantly.
They’re also not as great for frequent use. If you plan to use and heat your pool every day, then you might want to get a heat pump so you’re not burning through lots of cash before you can enjoy things as much as you’d want to.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps, meanwhile, are slowly and surely becoming a more popular item for pool owners. They operate by using the ambient air around itself to heat the pool. This works by sucking in air over an evaporator coil before pushing through to a heated refrigerant that applies heat to the air before it is pumped into your pool.
Most importantly, a heat pump uses electricity to power your pool, meaning it doesn’t need fuel or its own energy source to warm your pool.
Benefits and Drawbacks
The biggest advantage of this model is that it’s more energy efficient over time. While it costs more to purchase, it will require much less energy to run constantly, assuming you’re in a climate that isn’t too cold.
This means they work excellently in warm climates. The warmer it is, the more efficiently the unit can run. So, you should consider picking up one of these if your pool is located in a place that stays at a continually warm temperature.
Tying into all of this is the fact that it’s perfectly suited for frequently-used pools. It may not heat water as quickly as a gas or propane heater, but it’s a great option for keeping a steady pool temperature. So, if you’re planning on diving into the pool regularly, then definitely consider investing in this unit.
Again, it’s important to stress that the cost in the long term will be significantly lower than a traditional gas heater.
However, there are drawbacks, the most annoying of which may be that it works much slower than a pool heater. It needs to pull in ambient air to really function properly, meaning it won’t be as effective for rapidly heating and maintaining something like a hot tub or jacuzzi.
It’s also not as efficient in colder areas. If your outside temperature is falling continually under 4 to 10 degrees Celsius, then you likely want to look elsewhere.
Closing Thoughts
As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages to both methods of heating your pool, with certain modes of operation better suited for different climates and different people. That’s why it’s important that you carefully understand the pros and cons of each model so that you can make the exact right choice for you. Hopefully, knowing all of this should give you the intuitive insight to know what you need.
To cap this all off with a smile, remember that if reading this has got you excited about the idea of owning your very own custom swimming pool in Toronto, then why not reach out to us at Solda Pools and get the ball rolling on the little slice of luxury you’ve always wanted? We only do inground pools and spas, but our combined 100+ years of experience, high quality work and reasonable prices make us one of Ontario’s top pool construction companies. So if you’re interested, give us a call at 905-796-6500 or contact us here.
