Intex Solar Mat For Above Ground Pools
Another cost-effective solution to heating your Intex pool is using the Intex Solar Mat. The best thing about this product is theres no need for you to use any special equipment. You just have to lay it on your supposed-to-be pool area and set your pool next to it.
According to Intex, their Solar Mat can increase the temperature of your swimming pool by about 5 to 9° F depending on the current weather in your area. One solar mat measures about 4 feet in length by 4 feet in width.
If you have a large Intex Pool, you can get multiple solar mats and just connect them together. Just like the setup you see in the picture here.
Clean And Stash Your Accessories
When youre closing your pool for the winter, dont overlook your above ground pool ladder, toys, and any other accessories you may have. Leaving them in the pool can damage the items or, even worse, your pool. They could puncture the lining or start to rust. Corroded metal can contaminate your water and cause serious hardware problems.
Gather up all your accessories, then give them a good cleaning with a multi-purpose pool surface cleaner, and let them dry. Then store them in a clean, dry place, away from direct sunlight, until spring.
Heat Pumps For Above Ground Pools
For the easiest installation, we recommend a heat pump since they operate through thermal transfer instead of by burning propane or gas. This means all you’ll need to do to install one is add it to your pool’s existing plumbing and then provide a power source. Plus, as a bonus, many heat pumps also have a “chiller” option – which allows you to lower the temperature of your pool water should it get too hot from the summer sun!
GOOD TO KNOW: since heat pumps rely on the transfer of ambient air, they loose most of their effectiveness when the outside air drops below 50 degrees.
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How To Heat An Above Ground Pool Fast
In addition to extending the pool season, heating an above ground pool can allow more pool usage at night. For pools located in areas that experience mild winters, pool heating can allow usage throughout the year.
In this article, we will focus on showing you how to heat an above ground pool. By helping you choose the best way to heat above ground pool, we hope to make your swim sessions more comfortable while helping you keep the heating costs and energy bills as low as possible.
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?
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How To Heat A Pool Fast
Using solar blankets is a good way to heat up your pool, making it an excellent choice for above ground pools. Since pools lose about 75% of their heat through evaporation, solar panels are designed to stop this evaporation while absorbing and retaining heat from the sun.
They are efficient for heating up pools in the day, and keeping them warm at nights, though 100% of the surface of the pool must be covered by these solar blankets for it to work well.
You can also make use of solar rings, which has exactly the same working principle as the solar blankets but are much smaller and easier to store. They can generate up to 21,000BTUs of heat per day and only need to cover about 70 to 80 percent of the pool surface.
How Does An Above
Contents
The mechanism of an above ground solar pool heater is pretty simple because it works like solar photovoltaic panels. There is a collector to store the solar energy, and it is placed on the roof or high enough from the ground.
Then water is pumped from the pool to the solar energy collector. It should go through a filter. The solar collectors consist of hollow tubes throughout the inside of the panel.
When the water goes through these tubes, it absorbs the heat from the panel. The circulation takes the water back to the pool. Then you can enjoy the warm water. On top of that, the process is environment friendly. It does not even cost as much as the digital heating machines for the pool.
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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.
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 |
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.
Also, what is the best pool heater for inground pools? Top 10 Best Pool Heaters:
Accordingly, 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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Sunspring Pool Heat Pumps For Above Ground Pools
Our Range of Sunspring pool heat pumps are increadible compact and easy to install
They are plug and play and come complete with a cable and pre-fitted plug/RCD.
They are available in four sizes 5kw, 7kw, 10kw and 14kw
the sizing guide for Sunspring pool heat pumps is
Please use the chart below to select the best SunSpring heat pump model for your pool
| Model |
| 45m3 |
However please note that these are the maximum sizes.
Please click Here to see more details of our Sunspring range of pool heat pumps for above ground pools
See below for how to calculate the volume of your pool
Test And Balance The Water
First things first. Before doing anything else, its absolutely essential that you take the time to test and balance your water.
Why?
Because you really dont want all your winterizing efforts to be in vain when you lift the cover a few months later to a green and cloudy pool. Which is why testing and balancing your water now is your safest bet.
So grab your pool test kit, and begin checking and adjusting each of the chemicals so that theyre in the following ranges:
- pH level: 7.4 7.6
Once youve balanced all the chemicals, you may want to shock the pool for good measure. This will give you water that extra boost of sanitizer needed to fight off any unexpected bacteria or contaminants.
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You Have Got An Above Ground Pool And Now You Want To Heat It
Feb 16, 2019 |Above Ground Pools, Pool Maintenance, Swimming Pool Heaters
So, you have bought an above ground pool, probably an Intex type pool, that sits on your lawn. You have filled it with water, connected up the filter pump and you and your family are all ready to climb that ladder and step in. But then you hear its freezing cold! I am not going in that!.
Sound familiar? You need a heater. In this article we will discuss the various options for heating a garden above ground pool. We are talking about the type of pool like the one pictured below, you can buy them from us or from Argos, Toys r us, B& Q that sort of thing. Typically 8ft to 18ft round with a combined paper filter and pump.
Hayward W3hp21404t Pool Heat Pump
Yet another way to heat your above ground pool for continuous use, without spending a fortune on electricity is the Hayward W3HP21404T Pool Heat Pump. This Hayward heat pump provides continuous heating for your pool while being quiet and efficient.
Producing around 140,000 BTUs this pool heat pump is especially welcome in colder climates where it can help to provide an abundance of swimming enjoyment. Easy installation is a prominent feature of this rugged unit.
Customer Feedback:
- Unit has surpassed my expectations and has put all my pre-purchase concerns about heat pumps to rest
- Easy to install, heats quickly and runs quietly
Common Concerns:
- This unit is designed for above ground pools but has been used for heating in ground pools
- This unit may take a day or so to heat a large pool which is a standard time frame for most pool heat pumps
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Set Up The Solar Collector
We have already discussed the factors that you need to keep in mind before installing the heater system.
Buy a solar collector and set it on the roof. Consider the orientation and tilt while installing the collector. It would be best if you dont differ the angle more than 45-degrees from the true south.
How Long Do Pool Heaters Last
Depending on the type of pool heater that you are using and how you maintain and balance your pool water, a pool heaters lifespan can range anywhere between 3 and 12 years.
Solar pool heating panel system lasts between 10 and 15 years making them the most durable type of pool heater. Some companies offer warranties for their products exceeding a decade, meaning they are very confident in their solar pool heating panels.
Meanwhile, gas and electric pool heaters can last for 6 to 12 years with proper installation and maintenance. But its not that surprising to have one that only lasts for 3 years. This is why you should put heavy consideration on the brand and customer reviews before buying a gas or electric pool heater.
Solar blankets or covers will slowly deteriorate with continuous usage. You will need to replace it when you start seeing flakes and when the bubbles begin to fall off. A solar blanket can last for up to 3 years, but most pool owners replace them earlier than that.
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How To Choose The Best Option
When you are deciding on the heating option, a number of factors come into play. You will have to consider the size of the pool, the amount of water in it, how much you want to heat it, and how much the temperature falls in your area. Apart from these factors, initial purchase, installation cost, and monthly running expenses matter a lot. The following scenarios will help you evaluate your position and then choose the best way to heat your pool.
Final Words
Now that we know how to choose the best heating option for your above ground swimming pools, making the final decision wonât be very difficult.
Solar Ring Heaters For Pools
If you want to solar heat your pool but are not yet ready to buy a solar pool blanket, you could always use solar rings.
Solar rings are like a solar pool cover broken into smaller rings or circles. They make cost effective heating for pools. They are also very easy to use.
All you need to do is throw a couple of solar rings into your pool. The amount you will need will depend on the surface area of your water.
Your rings will absorb heat while they float. They will also connect to each other, locking together to heat your pool. This is because each of the solar rings have a magnet which attracts them to one another.
Solar rings create 21,000 BTUs of heat per day
Cost: $50 $250
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Lower The Water Level And Plug Up The Lines
Now here is where you have some options.
The first way:
If you use a skimmer plug to cover up your pool skimmer entirely, then you dont have to worry about draining the pool. Just make sure the skimmer plug is firmly attached. Once youve ensured that its secure, go ahead and drain the skimmer by disconnecting the hose at the bottom.
The other way:
Now, if you dont use a skimmer plug, then youll have to drain a bit of water. Not too much, though. Aim for about 3-4 inches below the lower lip/opening of your skimmer.
Once youve drained the water, go ahead and disconnect the skimmer hose and let it drain. If your setup uses hard PVC pipes instead of flexible hosing, then blow out the water to waste. After that, plug the skimmer line
Returns
With the eyeball fittings removed, grab a threaded plug, and use it to safely plug the return line. Once the plug is secured, unscrew the return line hosing.
How to winterize a pool filter
If youre trying to winterize an above ground pool with a sand filter, then the first step is walking over to your multiport valve and set it to Winterize, or any equivalent setting that allows the filter to drain. After that, simply remove the plug at the bottom of the filter.
For cartridge filters, remove the drain plug, take out and rinse off the filter cartridges, and store them indoors.
And if you use a DE filter, the procedure is the same. Remove the drain plugs, rinse off the filter grids, and keep the valves open
Purchase Your Above Ground Pool Heater
Above ground pool heaters and pumps are rated by BTUs. This is how much energy is required by the unit to heat one pound of pool water by a degree. Heaters for above-ground pools have a lower BTU than in-ground pool heaters that tend to heat more water requiring more BTUs.
Products such as liquid blankets, solar blankets, and rings are not rated by BTUs, but you will need to know how many gallons your pool can hold or the dimension of the pool to ensure you purchase the correct heating element for your pool.
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Speaking Of Cop Choose A High Efficiency Hpph & Size It Correctly:
The COP is the efficiency rating of the HPPH. Heat pump pool heaters are really energy efficient and the energy efficiency of a heat pump pool heater is measured by the coefficient of performance . The higher the COP for the pool heater, the more energy efficient it is. Typically, COP is measured by testing a heat pump pool heater with an outdoor temperature of 80 degrees. COPs usually range from 3.0 to 7.0, which equates to a multiplying factor of around 500%. This means that for every unit of electricity it takes to run a compressor, you get 3-7 units of heat from it. This is why fitting the right size of heat pump for your pool is of primary importance for optimum efficiency and to minimize energy costs. Sizing a heat pump pool heater involves many different factors so whenever youre sizing a heat pump, the surface area of the pool is taken into consideration. Basically, a heater is sized based on the surface area of the pool and the difference between the pool and the average air temperatures.The variables for pool heating:
- Wind exposure factors
- Humidity levels for the area
- The Cooling factor in areas of lower night-time temperatures
Heat pump pool heaters are rated by Btu output and horsepower . Standard sizes include 3.5 hp/75,000 Btu, 5 hp/100,000 Btu, and 6 hp/125,000 Btu. To calculate heater size for an outdoor swimming pool, follow these steps to give an approximate required rating:
Typical Pool Sizes And Volumes
Above ground pools can vary in size and volume. Like any equipment you purchase, you have to buy the correct heater output to guarantee it is adequate. If you purchase a swimming pool heater that does not have a high enough BTU for the pool size you have, you will never achieve appropriate heating of your pool. This can result in a high utility bill.But theres more than just BTU to consider when it comes to heating your pool. You also need to consider the total surface area and depth of your pool. A deeper pool is harder to heat naturally from the sun, potentially requiring a higher BTU heater. A pool with a large surface area may not require a high BTU heater, yet it still needs constant heating. This type of pool would benefit from solar rings to assure the heated water temperature does not escape.Additionally, a shaded pool that does not have access to constant sun may require a higher BTU heater, as the heater will need a high output to raise the water temperature quicker.Regardless of your pools shape and volume, you will need to choose a gas, electric, or solar-powered heater to achieve your target temperature. You’ll have to keep it away from the pool ladders for safe entry into the pool.
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