The Basic Differences Between Solar, Gas and Electric Pool Heating
First in a two-part series comparing pool heating methods
Considering a pool heating system for your home? Heating your pool increases swimming comfort and extends the swimming season for you and your guests. When it comes to heating your pool, you have a choice between solar pool heating systems, like those offered by Heliocol, and traditional pool heaters with gas or electric energy systems. Let us compare these heating methods to help you determine which is right for you.
Solar Pool Heating
Solar pool heating harnesses the sun’s energy to warm your pool water. Heliocol systems, in particular, are renowned for their innovative sleek design, flexibility, and high efficiency. These systems consist of solar collectors that absorb sunlight, transferring the heat to the pool water as it circulates through them.
Traditional Pool Heaters
Pool heating has existed at least since the time of the Romans. They built warm pools on top of underground brick chambers. Fires lit in these chambers would create warm air that heated the bricks and thereby the water up above. Obviously, this was a labor intensive heating system! Modern pool heaters are automated and directly connected to your pool’s water circulation system.
Gas Pool Heaters
A traditional gas heater burns natural gas or propane to generate heat, which is then transferred to the pool water. While they are relatively affordable to install, they are expensive to operate due to the ongoing fuel costs. Gas heaters are very effective, providing quick heating, which is ideal for use in the winter, but it is easily the most detrimental option for the environment while also adding to your monthly utility bill.
Electric Pool Heaters
Traditional electric heaters use a heat pump to transfer heat from the air to the pool water. Electric heaters are generally more expensive to install than gas heaters and often lead to high electricity bills. If you combine an electric pool heater with electric solar panels, you can save on the utility costs, but with a much higher upfront investment. While more energy-efficient, electric heaters heat water more slowly than gas heaters, taking 12-48 hours to heat the water in the pool to the desired temperature.
Get Your Questions Answered
Those are the basic differences between pool heating options. Next time we will consider how these systems differ in regards to practicality, costs, performance, and environmental factors. If you would like to have your questions about pool heating answered right away, contact us at Solaron online or by phone.