How To Heat A Pool: In
When it comes to heating a pool, knowing how to heat an in-ground vs an above ground pool is usually the first step. However, it can be confusing when choosing which heating will best suit your pool, so to help you out, weve put together some expert advice on in-ground vs above ground heating.
What are the differences between an in-ground vs above ground pool?
If youre looking for a permanent swimming pool that will last for a long, long time then an in-ground pool is for you. These pools are installed below ground level and can be created using concrete, fibreglass or vinyl. An in-ground pool has a long life-span and is a great option for those living in sunnier states where they will get a lot of use from an in-ground pool. An in-ground pool can increase the price of your home and can therefore be a great investment.
Above ground pools, on the other hand, are a more temporary solution that can be popped up in your backyard. They are considered great purchases for those who live in colder climates, or are exploring the idea of a pool without wanting to fully commit. They are a lot cheaper than an in-ground pool, and have lower maintenance and energy costs.
How to heat an in-ground pool
Heat Pump Pool Heaters are the most effective way to heat an in-ground pool. Although they are an investment, the money you will save on a HPPH in the long run makes this a great investment and the most efficient way to heat an in-ground pool.
How to heat an above ground pool
How To Calculate Your Pool Water Volume
You can easily calculate the water volume in your pool as follows:-
Round Pools
To calculate the volume of a round pool, you can use the formula
Pool Volume = 3.14 x radius x radius x depth
Example
A 12 diameter round above ground pool with a depth of 0.8m
Diameter = 12 x 0.305 = 3.66m
Radius = 3.66 / 2 = 1.83m
Volume = 3.14 x 1.83 x 1.83 x 0.8m = 8.4 m3
The Hot Splash supports pools up to 10m3 so would be ok for this pool
Rectangular Pools
How Effective Are Those Solar Blankets In Heating My Pool
A solar blanket or cover looks like a large sheet of bubble wrap. Its an affordable way to heat your pool water by allowing more of the suns rays to enter it, while the air bubbles trap the pools heat during the night.
Solar blankets are not as effective as gas pool heaters but can still be a reliable tool if you can get enough sunlight in your pool area. We advise that you keep the cover on as much as possible between swims to maximize its heating capacity.
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Apply This Formula To Calculate The Btu/hour Output Rating Of The Pool Heater Needed:
Pool Area x Temperature Rise x 12 = Btu/h
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.
Conclusion? It means its best to buy the highest COP-rated unit in your budget while ensuring the model selected has the heating capacity, or BTUh, to meet the calculated heating demand needed. Find out how hot water heat pumps work and why you should get one here.
Throw In Some Liquid Solar Pills
The last methodis to simply throw in some solar pills. Its one of the most affordable ways toheat up your pool without a heater. All you need to do is buy some of thesesolar pills and poke a few holes in it. After that, place them in your skimmer.Eventually, the liquid solar substance will spread through the water andprovide heat to the pool.
How does it heatup the pool, though?
Well, it doesntexactly heat up the pool. Rather, it creates a liquid-based blanket on the topof the pool. Rather than heating the pool, it acts like a liquid solar coverthat will not allow the heat to escape.
How many ofthese pills should you buy though?
Well, this willdepend on how big your pool is. But an average sized above ground sized poolwill probably take just one solar pill. After all, the typical direction ofsolar pills is that you should use one solar pill per 30,000 gallons of water.
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What Are The Signs That My Above Ground Pool Isnt Completely Clean
There are some signs that your pool needs cleaning, some obvious and some not so obvious.
Green water: Green algae-filled water is one of the most common signs that your pool needs a deep cleaning.
Irritation of eyes or skin: When chlorine binds with contaminants, the water will give off the classic chlorine smell, and the water may irritate your skin and eyes. This is generally a sign that the pool needs to be shocked.
Bugs, leaves, or other debris floating around: If you notice debris floating around the pool, it may be a sign that your filter or skimmer basket is clogged. If thats the case, read my guide on how to clean your skimmer basket.
The pool water is cloudy: Cloudy water is a sign of improperly balanced water. It can mean either the pH level is off, the waters calcium hardness is too high, or algae is beginning to form in the water. To fix this, test the water and balance the necessary chemicals.
What Is An Above Ground Pool Heater
Above ground, pool heaters are the swimming pool heaters that are exclusively used for heating the pool water. They are available in various types and they use different heating principles to ensure the pool is warm. This allows people to have incredible swimming experience irrespective of weather conditions.
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Eight Option B: Store The Liner
Alternatively, if you were cleaning the pool to store it, fold up your dried and cleaned liner. Most above ground pool owners fold the liner in half then roll it. A quick tip to prevent the liner from sticking together is to put a bit of baby powder on the liner. Once the liner is appropriately rolled up, store it in a dry area with other accessories.
Pool Heaters Are Usually Placed After The Pool Filter
As weve discussed above, the filter on your pools circulation system usually comes before the heater. And thats for a good reason.
You dont want to clog up your pool heater with debris from the pool. The filter stops that from happening.
A tankless water heater is no different. If you pump pool water, especially from an outdoor pool, directly through a tankless water heater, you risk clogging up the inlet and outlets.
Either way, the heater wont work correctly due to a lack of flow or inability of the heated water to flow out as it should.
In both the videos above, there was no pool filter between the pump and the tankless water heater. Each set-up appeared to rely on the strainer on the pump to keep the water feed to the tankless heater debris-free.
This seems to have worked OK for those guys. But the potential issue is something you should be aware of if youre thinking of trying the same thing.
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What Is The Cheapest Option To Heat An Above Ground Pool
Although solar heaters are generally viewed as the most expensive pool heater, they are great affordable options for smaller above ground pools. Solar heaters are the cheapest option if you factor in the ongoing costs.
When it comes to larger pools, a gas heater will almost always be the cheapest to purchase initially. But keep in mind that they are pretty expensive to run.
If youre looking for a new pool, make sure to read my recommendations for the best above ground pool too.
Do you have any questions regarding pool heating options? Feel free to reach out I am happy to help!
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Can Above Ground Pools Be Heated
Is the water in your above ground pool a little cooler than you prefer? Or are you looking to extend your swimming season a bit longer into the fall?
Don’t think that just because you have an above ground pool you can’t enjoy the same heated water and longer swimming season that inground pools can have as both inground and above ground pools are easy to heat with a pool heater!
While one of the most common ways to heat an above ground pool is with a solar cover/blanket, it may not be the most efficient as these rely on the sun or warm weather and there are plenty of options available for external heat sources to keep your above ground pool warm regardless of where Mr. Sun is during the day. Just like inground pools, above ground pools can have both heat pumps and gas heaters added. Plus installation is a fairly simple and straightforward process.
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Set Up The Electrical Line
If you’re using a gas or electric pump, you’ll need to set up the electrical line for its power source. The process for doing this will depend on the specific brand and model pump that you have as well as its location. It’s best to place the electrical line in an area with low traffic, so the wires don’t cause a tripping hazard.
Closing Kit And Mesh Cover Installation
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Closing kitTo know which closing kit to use for your above ground pool, refer to the indications on the packaging or consult a Club Piscine Super Fitness advisor. Caution, always handle chemicals with care.
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Mesh coverYou can purchase a leaf mesh cover at your Club Piscine Super Fitness store. The installation of this type of cover will save you a lot of work, both in the fall and in the spring.
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Factors To Consider When Buying The Best Pool Heater For Your Above Ground Pool
As weve already mentioned, when it comes to selecting an above ground pool heater, there are dozens of options to choose from. You can have one installed permanently to help you heat your swimming pool or you can choose a pool heater that you can easily move around and store away if you dont have to use it yet.
So how do you select the best pool heater for your above ground pool?
So It Can Work Whats The Catch
Standard tankless water heaters for domestic hot water arent designed to heat pools. This gives rise to several potential issues.
For one thing, many models are not designed to be installed outside so choosing an outdoor model would be the first thing we need to consider.
But there are a few other important points to keep in mind
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Optimize Pool Mechanical Systems
A well planned pool pump and filtration system helps energy efficiency & saves money. Plan from the beginning for extra valves to be fitted in pipe runs so that additional pool heating systems like a heat pump or solar panels can be easily retrofitted or drained down for winterizing in the future. A little more thought at the planning and installation phase always saves money in the long-term and lets you fit the most efficient heating systems to your pool in the years ahead. Instead of the classic Army acronym 7P’s, perhaps we should remember Proper Planning Provides the Possibility of Peak Pool Performance?
How Many Btus Do I Need To Heat My Above Ground Pool
4.8/5
| Pool Size | |
|---|---|
| Up To 10,000 Gallons Up To 21′ Round or 15′ x 26′ Oval | 50,000 BTU |
| Up To 13,000 Gallons Up To 24′ Round or 15′ x 30′ Oval | 50,000 BTU |
| Up To 17,000 Gallons Up To 27′ Round or 18′ x 33′ Oval | 65,000 BTU |
Moreover, how many BTU do I need to heat my pool?
Step 2: Divide your Surface Area by 3 Therefore, the minimum size heater that is recommended for a 15 x 30 pool is 150,000 BTUs. Keep in mind, this is simply the recommended minimum size.
Beside above, what is the best pool heater for inground pools? Top 10 Best Pool Heaters:
Also to know is, how many BTUs does it take to heat a 30000 gallon pool?
For pools of up to 20,000 gallons, small heat pumps like the Hayward 95K BTU output are suitable. Pools up to 30,000 gallons should look at the AquaCal 120K BTU or higher, and 40,000 gallon inground pools should look at models like the Pentair 140K BTU.
How many BTUs do I need?
Size and Ceiling Height
| Area To Be Cooled | Capacity Needed |
|---|---|
| 100 to 150 |
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How To Heat A Pool The Ultimate Guide On Heating Your Pool
The pool season is coming to an end, but that does not necessarily mean you have to stop enjoying your swimming pool. One way to extend the fun is by simply learning how to heat a pool and knowing how you can utilize various heating products to keep your pool water warm.
Heating a pool will give you the ability to use your pool even after the summer season ends without the need to worry about swimming in cold water. This helps prolong your pool season by weeks or even months into late fall and you may even get the chance to open your pool early right after the winter season ends.
With the recent developments among pool equipment, there are now many different ways you can heat your outdoor swimming pool that includes using a pool heat pump, installing a pool water heater, putting on a solar cover or solar rings, or through a solar-powered pool heating system.
Use Liquid Solar Cover
As the name suggests, you will deal with the liquid chemical that works to create a barrier that prevents heat loss. Its specifically designed for the swimming pool which makes it safe for us and the environment. Though its not effective as visible solar cover, its still worth considering.
- Just follow the manufacturers instructions to find out the amount of liquid solar cover that you can add to your swimming pool.
So those are some ways that you can keep in mind when you want to heat up the pool without the heater. Of course, you dont have to bother paying the monthly bill, you just have to spend the money for the initial purchase.
Basically, you are going to rely on natural heat from sunlight when you use the options above to warm up your pool. It needs more effort but suits really well for you who have a limited budget.
Well, lets add this tutorial on how to heat a pool to your DIY projects list now!
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Reduce The Thermostat Setting A Few Degrees & Save Money:
Few people realize what a big percentage saving each degree of reduction in temperature makes. One important point to remember when looking to run a swimming pool in a more eco-friendly way and economize on pool heating is the pool temperature thermostat setting. Obvious really yet often overlooked, the warmer you heat your pool the more it costs to keep it to a higher operating temperature.
Each degree rise in temperature equates to an approximate 15-18% increase in energy use and operation cost. So, while an 88°F pool is lovely & warm, it will cost a lot more to heat than a pool set to warm to 85°F. Everybody has their own thermostat and comfort level when it comes to pool temperatures – just look at home temperatures! Likewise with a pools water temperature warmer is nice but costs more – simple thermodynamics and economic math.
Best Solar Pool Heater: Solar Pool Supply Solar Pool Heating Kit
The Solar Pool Heater System Kit by Solar Pool Supply is made of high-grade materials designed to last all types of weather and withstand the harsh conditions on a rooftop for up to two decades.
Solar Pool Supply collectors have pre-compounded polypropylene that significantly increases its resistance to UV light. This eliminates the inherent quality issues that plague cheaply manufactured products and lets you use your solar pool heater for the longest possible time.
Now, if your pool needs 150 square feet, the manufacturer recommends that you get 150 to 300 square feet of solar panels. Systems in the 50% offset range can provide sufficient heat during the usual pool season for additional comfort. If you are looking to extend your pool season utilizing a solar pool heater, you will need a system in the 70% to 100% offset range.
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Use Solar Blankets Or Rings
While both solar blankets and solar rings can effectively warm up a pool, think of them more as heating aids.
Why?
Because, by themselves, they simply wont provide the level of heat and performance you get from a pool heater.
But that doesnt mean you shouldnt use them in fact, it actually costs you more not to. Heres why:
While we buy pool heaters to keep our pools warm, we sometimes forget why we need them in the first place. Heat loss. If it werent for heat loss, the sun would be more than plenty for enjoying a good swim, and heaters would be obsolete. But in this world, that isnt the case.
So whats the best solution for reducing heat loss?
Covering your pool.
Using a solar cover reduces evaporation and water loss by up to 70%. And less water loss means fewer chemicals going to waste. All of which spells lots of savings for you.
But lets not forget that using a cover also helps lock in the heat in your pool. Much like putting a lid on a pot of boiling water.
Bottom line: Solar covers and rings improve heating efficiency.
Since solar covers and pool rings serve more or the less the same function, we grouped them together. Both products work by forming a barrier between your water and the sun.
But if youre going for efficiency, pick a solar cover. Theyre cheap, easy to apply, and simple to replace. Solar rings, while more aesthetically pleasing, tend to be a bit more expensive.
Cons of Solar Covers and Rings
