About Above Ground Pool Heaters
Above-ground pool heaters are the ideal choice for any family that wants to get the most out of their pool and backyard. A heated above-ground pool can be used more often, and for longer periods each day. You won't have to worry about cool temperatures ruining your swimming plans, and may find the swimming season extended by a month or two.
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Considerations
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When choosing an above-ground pool heater, consider the amount of time it will take to heat up the pool water. If you heat the pool each time you use it, a rapid-heating model is the ideal choice. If you intend to gradually heat up the pool to your desired temperature and then maintain that temperature, a smaller, slower-heating model will be appropriate.
Gas
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Above-ground pool heaters that run on gas are the most expensive type available, and may significantly increase your gas bill. While a gas pool heater doesn't need much maintenance, in the event that it does need repairs, they will be costly. A key benefit of a gas above-ground pool heater is that it heats up your pool much faster than any other type. The more BTUs a particular gas heater has, the faster it will heat up you pool.
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Electric
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An electric above-ground pool heater is not as costly as a gas heater, and won't increase your electric bill by quite as much as gas heater does your gas bill. The most popular type is the above-ground heat pump.
Unlike some propane and natural-gas pool heaters, an above-ground heat pump is considered "low NOx" because it does not produce any hazardous air pollutants. To heat up the pool water, it extracts and compresses heat from the air, then transfers that heated air to the pool water. This mode of operation makes heat pumps super-efficient, because the air is typically warm when the swimming pool is being used.
Wood
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A wood-fired above-ground pool heater is a cost-effective alternative to the more expensive gas and electric options. Since no gas or electrical connections are required, most homeowners can install a wood-fired heater for themselves by following the manufacturer's instructions. Any type of wood can be used to operate this type of heater. You will need to add new logs every 2 to 3 hours to maintain the unit's heating ability.
Solar
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After the wood-fired heater, the solar above-ground pool heater is the least expensive of all the heaters. Its solar heating panels run on the free energy of the sun's rays, saving you money on your gas or electric bill. These heaters need to be positioned in a location where they receive direct sunshine, such as on the roof, on the ground or simply leaning against the side of the pool.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Author - charliecho. image courtesy of StockXchange, under the StockXchange license
