Last week we talked about using a winter cover vs safety cover to prepare your pool for the off-season. But what if you’re not ready to close your pool? Maybe you want to extend your season a little bit to get a little more poolside time this year. If so, you might want to consider a pool heater or heat pump. Wonder what the differences are? Today we’re talking about your options in the pool heater vs heat pump video with Blake.
Swimming Pool Heaters
Heaters burn propane or natural gas. Water is pulled into the unit and heated with the burning propane or natural gas, then the hot water is passed back into your swimming pool through the return lines.
Pool Heater Pros:
- Lower upfront cost
- Works in any temperature
- Heats pool quickly
Pool Heater Cons:
- Higher operating costs
- More moving parts (that could potentially break)
Swimming Pool Heat Pumps
A heat pump uses electricity and ambient air to heat up the water. This means that the warmer your air temperature is, the better (and faster) it is going to work for you. A heat pump requires an ambient temperature of at least 50 degrees fahrenheit. If you meet that requirement, then you reap the benefits of low operating costs.
If you live in an area that gets down below 50 degrees, you won’t be able to use the heat pump at that time. You might be able to get a little more swimming on either side of pool season, but as soon as it gets below 50, it’s not going to do anything for your pool.
Heat Pump Pros:
- Low operating costs
- Environmentally friendly
- Doesn’t require a gas line
Heat Pump Cons:
- Higher upfront cost
- Only works above 50 degrees Fahrenheit
Here is a picture of the whiteboard for your reference:
