When considering heating options for your pool and spa, there are really only three different heating methods available to choose from, solar, heat pumps, and gas heaters (propane or natural gas).
Solar heaters work well when the panels can be installed on the roof or on a platform with exposures facing due south, south-southwest or south-southeast. The solar panel area should equal at least 75% of the surface area of the pool. Ideally, the panels should be used in conjunction with a solar pool blanket for optimal performance. There is no additional operating cost for solar heat, as the pool pump is running for pool filtration already.
Heat pumps are the most common and practical method of pool heating in South Florida. Heat pumps extract the heat from the surrounding air and use it to heat the water. They are 500% to 650% efficient and operate with outside air temperatures as low as 45 degrees. Typically, to keep a 15×30 pool at 82-85 degrees all year would range from $750 – $900 annually in electric costs. Using a solar pool blanket in conjunction with the heat pump could help cut the electric costs about in half.
Today’s heat pumps have digital LED controls with dual thermostats, which means you can set the pool and spa at various temperatures and times. The newer units have plastic, rustproof cabinets, excellent warranties, and end up to be the best choice in many cases.
Gas heaters will bring the water to your desired temperature the fastest; however, this option is also the most expensive. Natural gas is considerably less expensive than propane, but is not available in many municipalities. The cost to operate a gas heater can be up to three times more than that of a heat pump. Gas heaters are primarily effective for quick heating of spas or sporadic heating of pools, but are not practical for maintaining pool heat over an entire season.
Horizon Pool and Patio are the heating experts. Family owned and operated, Horizon has been serving Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Acreage, Loxahatchee and many of the other communities in Palm Beach County since 1985.
Horizon Pool and Patio provides both residential and commercial pool and spa service, equipment repairs, retail supplies and equipment, and full pool renovations and remodeling. For more information, visit Horizon at www.horizonpool.com or call (561) 790-0665. The retail store, located in the Wellington Plaza next to Schaefer’s Drugs at 12785A W. Forest Hill Boulevard, is open seven days a week.
