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There are some places in the world and even in North America where people are lucky enough that they have pools that do not require pool heaters to keep them swimming comfortably. For most of us, though, the need for pool heaters is beyond debate, and in order to keep our pools at the usual level of comfort of between 80 and 85 degrees, the investment in a pool heater will need to be made.
Heating your pool isn’t just a question of buying the right kind of pool heater. There are many factors which come into play over your pool temperature and the type of heater you should consider. Before purchasing g any product in particular, remember that good pool covers can sometimes be your best pool heaters. A good solar blanket will keep your pool warm using just the rays of the sun, and if you have placed your pool correctly the odds are that it will receive maximum exposure to the sun’s rays throughout the day and this will keep the need to turn on your heater to a minimum. The first consideration, as has been touched upon, is the type of climate your house is based in. Climates that tend toward a high degree of heat, such as the southern States, will not need to have pool heaters that are as heavy duty as those found elsewhere. When it comes to energy costs, everyone is beginning to get worried. Some people swear by their solar energy heaters, claiming that they take a lot less money than other fuel-fired pool heaters. As with any product that is marketed to save money via energy conservation, however, the initial investment that is made when purchasing a solar powered heater will be far greater than the output that can be expected from the standard heater. Solar pool heaters also require a lot more space than a standard gas or electric heater, as the panels used need to be at least three-quarters of the area of the pool, at a minimum. Many are 100%, so you will need an area that is the same size as your pool for your heater. You will probably lose money when it comes to electricity for your pumps, as well, as your pump will need to be purchased separately and also run continuously to get the pool water to the panels and back. Lastly, solar heating pumps will not work at all on cloudy days, and so the whole endeavor will be rendered useless. The best way to go when it comes to pool heaters is a good combination of natural gas powered heaters and a solar cover. The solar cover will help warm the pool up during the day as well as preventing heat loss at night. Natural gas pool heaters can be expected to still cost the home owner around $10 a day (at 2005 energy prices) for a 10 degree heat difference.
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Heating and Heaters 
