Heating your pool will help extend your swimming season as well as improve your swimming experience all year round. But what pool heater should you choose? Whether you choose a heat pump or gas heater for your swimming pool will depend on your lifestyle and how much you want to spend on initial installation and running costs. Both the heat pump and gas heater are built differently and perform differently which will influence the application.
Gas Heaters
Gas heaters are fueled by either natural or propane gas and are a popular choice in Australia.
Pros
- Cost Effective – Cost less than a heat pump to purchase, depending upon the size of your pool.
- Maintain the Water Temperature no Matter the Weather – Gas heaters are not reliant on the outside temperature to warm your pool.
- Cost Less to Install – Depending on the distance from your house and the availability of natural gas lines to your home, a gas heater will cost less to install.
Cons
- Uses More Energy – Due to the greater inefficiency of gas heaters they will cost more to run.
- Shorter Life Spans – Due to the high heat produced within the unit and larger amount of moving parts, you should expect more frequent repairs compared to a heat pump.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are powered by electricity and work like an AC unit but in reverse. Heat pumps run by extracting heat from the outside air and compressing. These are new compared to the gas heaters and most commonly seen in northern climates.
Pros
- Lower Operating Cost – heat pumps are very efficient and convert energy to heat. This means pool owners are spending less to maintain the same pool temperature over a long period. Despite the initial electricity expense at first glance, operating costs are lower.
- Longer Life Span – Heat pumps have been designed to have fewer moving parts, meaning less wear and tear. Therefore, your heat pump will have a larger life span than gas heaters with fewer repairs.
- Environmentally Friendly – Unlike Gas heaters, heat pumps do not produce carbon dioxide and use less energy.
Cons
- Slower Warm-up – heat pumps do not work well when they are turned off and then on again to heat the pool up on the weekends.
- More Expensive Electrical Installation
- More Expensive Purchase Price – Although prices are getting better, the initial purchase price is more expensive than a gas heater.
Heat pumps and Gas heaters are both a good pool heating solution but ultimately depend on your needs. Need help? Contact us today!