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Gas-fired pool heaters remain the most popular system for heating swimming pools. Today you

can find new gas-fired heater models with much higher efficiencies than older models. Still,

depending on your climate and pool use, they may not be the most energy-efficient option when

compared to heat pump and solar pool heaters.

How They Work

Gas pool heaters use either natural gas or propane. As the pump circulates the pool's water, the

water drawn from the pool passes through a filter and then to the heater. The gas burns in the

heater's combustion chamber, generating heat that transfers to the water that's returned to the

pool.

They're most efficient when heating pools for short periods of time, and they're ideal for quickly

heating pools. Therefore, gas pool heaters can be a good choice for pools that aren't used on a

regular basis. Unlike heat pump and solar pool heaters, gas pool heaters can maintain any

desired temperature regardless of the weather or climate.

Selecting a Gas Pool Heater

When selecting a gas swimming pool heater, you need to consider the following:

Size

Efficiency

Costs.

Sizing a Gas Pool Heater

You should have a trained pool professional perform a proper sizing analysis for your specific

swimming pool to determine pool heater size.

Sizing a gas pool heater involves many factors. Basically, a heater is sized according to the

surface area of the pool and the difference between the pool and the average air temperatures.

Other factors also affect the heating load for outdoor pools, such as wind exposure, humidity

levels, and cool night temperatures. Therefore, pools located in areas with higher average wind

speeds at the pool surface, lower humidity, and cool nights will require a larger heater.

Gas pool heaters are rated by Btu (British thermal unit) output. Outputs range from 75,000 Btu to

450,000 Btu.

To calculate an approximate heater size for an outdoor swimming pool, follow these steps:

Determine your desired swimming pool temperature.

Determine the average temperature for the coldest month of pool use.

Subtract the average temperature for the coldest month from the desired pool temperature. This

will give you the temperature rise needed.

Summary of content (7 pages)

PAGE 1
Energy.gov Gas-fired pool heaters remain the most popular system for heating swimming pools. Today you can find new gas-fired heater models with much higher efficiencies than older models. Still, depending on your climate and pool use, they may not be the most energy-efficient option when compared to heat pump and solar pool heaters. How They Work Gas pool heaters use either natural gas or propane.
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Calculate the pool surface area in square feet. Use the following formula to determine the Btu/hour output requirement of the heater: Pool Area x Temperature Rise x 12 This formula is based on 1º to 1-1/4ºF temperature rise per hour and a 3-1/2 mile per hour average wind at the pool surface. For a 1-1/2ºF rise multiply by 1.5. For a 2ºF rise multiply by 2.0.
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w/ cover 6/1–8/31 $192 $320 Seattle 6/1–8/31 $1525 $1784 $2056 w/ cover 6/1–8/31 $304 $424 $472 $552 *Figures based on a 1,000 square-foot, outdoor pool heated with an 80% efficient natural gas heater at $.80 per therm and uncovered for 8 hours per day.
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Energy.gov Home » Heat Pump Swimming Pool Heaters Heat Pump Swimming Pool Heaters May 29, 2012 - 1:49pm Addthis Share on emailShare on facebook How a heat pump works. How They Work Heat pumps use electricity to capture heat and move it from one place to another. They don't generate heat. As the pool pump circulates the swimming pool's water, the water drawn from the pool passes through a filter and the heat pump heater.
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higher average wind speeds at the pool surface, lower humidity, and cool nights will require a larger heater. Heat pump pool heaters are rated by Btu output and horsepower (hp). Standard sizes include 3.5 hp/75,000 Btu, 5 hp/100,000 Btu, and 6 hp/125,000 Btu. To calculate an approximate heater size for an outdoor swimming pool, follow these steps: Determine your desired swimming pool temperature. Determine the average temperature for the coldest month of pool use.
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10/31 Kansas City 5/1– 10/31 $715 $935 $1185 w/ cover 5/1– 10/31 $145 $205 $270 New York 5/1–9/30 $740 $975 $1220 w/ cover 5/1–9/30 $105 $150 $200 Chicago 5/1–9/30 $810 $1035 $1270 w/ cover 5/1–9/30 $105 $150 Denver 5/1–8/31 $875 $1055 $1245 w/ cover 5/1–8/31 $70 $100 Boston 5/1–8/31 $875 $1075 $1280 w/ cover 5/1–8/31 $120 $165 $235 Minneapolis 6/1–9/30 $660 $850 $1040 w/ cover 6/1–9/30 $100 $125 $190 San Fran 6/1–8/31 $800 $950 $1110 w/ cover 6/1
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*Based on an electric resistance heated pool, which costs $1,000 per year at an electric cost of $.085/kwh, and using a natural gas cost 0f $.80/therm. A seasonal average COP of 5.0 was used to determine heat pump savings. Installation and Maintenance Proper installation and maintenance of your heat pump pool heater can optimize its efficiency. It's best to have a qualified pool professional install the heater, especially the electric hookup, and perform complicated maintenance or repair tasks.