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SWIMMING POOL HEATERS

 

Electric Pool Heaters

Electric pool heater information and compare pool equipment, gas vs. electric water heater for safety and ultra clean technology.

Electric swimming pool heaters are similar to a hot water tank for your home. The water is warmed by emitting an electrical current to the heater coils.

As the water passes over the coils it becomes warm, and that warm water goes into the pool.

Inground & Above Ground Pool Heater

Now your family and friends can swim earlier and later during the swimming season, even on those not-so-warm days. You may not need a pool water heater, but a good electric swimming pool heater may be helpful in getting the most out of your pool.

Top Quality

Today, electric swimming pool heaters are very well made and should last a long time. They have quality components, are very functional, and have wonderful safety functions. Some very popular models are the Thermalec or Invarmex swimming pool heaters

As compared to a propane pool heater, solar swimming pool heaters, wood pool heater, or natural gas pool heaters, using an electric swimming pool heater is a slow process. Some may say that because of the cost of electricity, an electric heater may be a poor choice.

The one downside is the heat pump swimming pool heater works better in hot areas of the country and may not be as efficient in the north or colder climates during the Spring and Autumn. Some say this is also true about swimming pool solar heaters.

Quality Electric Pool Heaters

  1. Long Life. Try to get an electric pool heater that is corrosion free, copper and bronze-not aluminum

  2. Reliability

  3. Trouble-Free. Quality and safety should be there. Some electric pool heaters have a pressure switch to stop heating without water flow, a temperature control to prevent overheating, and a good thermostat. How about automatic shut-off if it accidently tips over?

  4. Easy Installation. Should plug in to standard inlet, be compact, and have convenient outlets

  5. Warranty. Should last for at least 2-5 years with full replacement

  6. Digital Control Panel makes everything much easier to see

  7. Titanium Heat Exchanger

  8. Extra-Large Evaporator Coil to gather more outside air to heat. This feature make an electric heater a little more efficient.

  9. A Safety-Internal Flow Switch. This is just in case if the water stops flowing, you're electric swimming pool heater will stop heating

  10. A good cabinet that won’t rust or corrode

 

Ground- and Air-sourced Heat Pumps

Producing hot water for Swimming Pools for the majority of domestic and commercial applications has historically been by way of burning fossil fuels. This is either directly - by using gas/oil/coal burning heaters on-site to provide the necessary heat, or by using electric heaters powered by mains electricity - usually provided by power stations burning fossil fuels. The result of producing heat in this way is to emit CO2 into the atmosphere. Most people are now aware that this has a detrimental effect on the environment and will consider environmentally friendly alternatives.

Calorex have now introduced 2 trypes of environmentally friendly LPHW (Low pressure hot water) heat pumps which significantly reduce CO2 emissions, reduce running costs and require minimal maintenance.

The two types available, each harnessing the earths resources are:

  1. Ground Source Heat Pumps
  2. Air Source Heat Pumps 

 

ENERGY EFFICIENT HEATING FOR LOW PRESSURE HOT WATER

Ground Source Heat Pumps utilise heat collector pipework which absorbs energy from beneath ground level. Heat collector pipework is buried within the earth’s strata; either horizontally in relatively shallow excavations, or vertically within circular bore holes. For both versions, this heat collector pipework is connected to efficient water-to-water heat pump(s), where the absorbed energy is considerably upgraded and transferred to the LPHW circuit. This provides a constant supply of hot water.

 
Air-to-water heat pumps have successfully been installed for many years, especially for providing efficient pool water heating. This equipment absorbs energy from the external air rather than from the earth’s strata; therefore eliminating the need for heat collector pipework (as is required for ground source heat pumps). The absorbed energy is considerably upgraded and transferred to the LPHW circuit using efficient heat pump technology.

HEATING SYSTEM OPTIONS
Both ground and air source equipment can either be installed for sole provision of LPHW heating (known as a Monovalent system), or in conjunction with more traditional heating methods such as boilers, known as a Bivalent system. A ‘buffer’ tank is often needed to assist with the demands of the hot water system. The LPHW can also be upgraded in temperature, if necessary, by independent heating (by others). Typical LPHW temperatures available from both Ground Source and Air Source Heat Pumps range from 35ºC – 55ºC, although 65ºC can be achieved with Air Source units (under certain conditions).

 

Pool Water Heaters - What Size Do I Need?

This one is pretty easy. For a normal rectangle pool, about 14' X 30' or less, you’ll probably need an 80,000 BTU electric swimming pool heater or larger.

For a larger pool, about 18' X 36' or over, you’ll need a 100,000 BTU unit or larger. It’s better to go just a hair bigger because you’ll want a slight “buffer” if the temperature suddenly dips down a few degrees.

If you’re looking for the best pool heater (above ground swimming pool heater) and your pool is less than 22 ft., you could use an 80,000 BTU unit. For round pools wider than 30 feet, a heater with at least 100,000 BTU electric pool heater is recommended.

If you have a solar cover, which is recommended, you can use the same size heater up to 30 ft. around. Any pools larger than 30 ft. and you may want to consider a 100,000 BTU electric pool heater unit, or larger. Using a solar cover saves on chemicals, help keep down water evaporation, heats the pool even faster, and saves on swimming pool maintenance.

The Best Pool Heaters

When you’re serious about looking around at the many swimming pool heaters available, you may want to ask these questions:

  1. What's the price? Is that the best you can do?

  2. Installation cost?

  3. Does it have an automatic control? Automatic shut-off?

  4. Any special plumbing required?

  5. Is it rust and corrosion resistant?

  6. Will it install easily into my existing pipes and/or plumbing?

  7. Are there any vents?

  8. How large are the panels and how much room will they take up? Is it a compact design that would should fit my pool?

  9. No condensation or corrosion

  10. Is it UL recognized?

  11. Does it have a good thermostat? Is the thermostat automated?

  12. Is there maintenance? If so, what and why? Will you take care of that or do I?

  13. Digital control panel?

  14. What's the warranty? Ask for specifics.

  15. What if I install my electric pool heater? Will that void the warranty? 

  16. Do you have a contractor? Is he licensed and insured? Is he experienced in electric swimming pool heaters? Ask for proof.

  17. What are the safety features? What would happen if one of the safety features fail? If it does fail, who is responsible?

  18. If it does fail, who will fix it? Will you fix it, or do you contract that out to someone else?

  19. Do I want gas-powered, electricity-powered, air-sourced or ground-sourced heating? What are the benefits of each type for my situation?