Unlike inground pools, above-ground pools are temporary structures that aid geographic mobility. That is, if you choose to change your environment, you can pack up your pool and relocate with it. This can make the need to purchase a permanently installed pool heater less valid.
So imagine the cold nights, and you just take a dip in your warm pool. It is so relaxing. Thus, heating your pool increases comfort in the pool. Probably more often than not, there are several options when it comes to heating our pool. Some of which include the use of pool water heaters, heat pumps, solar rings, liquid treatment, and solar covers.
Above-ground pools require heating with a heat source or technique that does not evaporate the pool water. Heat sources like pool heaters require strength to operate. This also allows for the introduction of propane, solar energy, natural gas, and pool water heating. When compared, solar covers and rings are less expensive and do not need an external energy source.
However, your heating requirements are dependent on how big the above-ground pool is, where you live, what material your pool is made from, and whether the pool structure is permanent or not.
What is the best heater for an above-ground pool?
Selecting the perfect heater for your above-ground pool involves knowing which option is best suited for your pool and your region’s environment. This also entails putting into consideration how energy efficient the heater is, how fast it will heat your pool water, and the ease with which you can install it. A very reliable heater will not only elongate your pool season but will also serve for a long time.
Having considered this necessary requirement, our pick for the best pool heaters is
- Natural gas pool heaters.
- Heat pumps
- Solar water heater.
Natural gas heaters, though very powerful, cost thousands of dollars. In the same vein, solar heaters like the Solar Pro cost a few hundred but are less effective compared to the aforementioned.
Does putting black garbage bags heat pool?
Increasing the heat of your pool can be a very tedious task. The use of gas and electric heaters is a way of achieving this. The problem is, they can be quite expensive and require a certain level of expertise in their mode of operation.
If you are ready to get really creative, there are very easy, less expensive, and very exciting ways we can achieve our aim of warming our pool. As you know, dark-colored objects tend to absorb heat from the sun. We can warm our pool by placing a black material or object in it. One way of actualizing this god-mode creativity is by placing a large black garbage bag over your pool. Yes, it works.
While this method absorbs heat from the sun and transfers it to our pool, warming it up, it also prevents evaporation of pool water. You can either independently gloat these bags or add buoyancy by draping them over pool noodles. For the best outcome, it is advisable to use a thick (about 3mm) contractor grade bag.
What is the black hose trick?
Arguably, diving in a pool on a sweltering day is the nicest part of summer. Also, swimming while trying to avoid the heat is pretty much enjoyable. But when the heat is less, you do not need to shut down your pool because there are effective and creative ways to heat it up without breaking the bank.
The black hose method, although slightly more complicated, still works to heat up the pool. This method uses heat energy from the sun to warm up our pool.
How? Buy a black garden hose, open the hose and attach it to a water source outside the house. Run the hose to a spot where it gets direct contact with sunshine, and coil the house around itself there under direct sunlight. Now, move the remaining hose into the pool. The sun will transfer energy from the house into the water as it flows to the pool, thereby transferring warm water into your pool.
Does a pool heat up faster with the solar cover on?
If you are using solar cover as the only method of heating your pool, it is high time you came to the realization that your pool will not heat up as much as you want it to. The solar cover helps to maintain the heat provided by the external pool heater, but it is not intended to serve as a heat source. One way the pool loses heat is through evaporation. Hence, the solar cover acts as an obstruction between air and water to reduce the rate of heat loss.
During spring, solar covers help warm the pool faster. It helps the pool water maintain a high temperature for a little longer. The wrong belief is that solar power will warm the pool during the late winter, which is not so. Only the heater can serve that purpose. Solar power will only help preserve the heat of the water that is already warm.
Note that solar cover will only serve efficiently for smaller pools with a dark surface like the dark pebble tech and may not serve as desired for bigger, deeper pools.
Do solar rings work to heat pools?
As time goes by, there are an increasing number of available options when it comes to heating our pool, especially with technological advancement. Due to the availability of more heating technology, it has also become very affordable for homeowners and more comfortable and convenient to use.
When it comes to heating your pool, solar rings provide a very good desired result. They are generally constructed with UV resistant, heavyweight vinyl, and they operate by first insulating air on top, then concentrating air at the bottom layer. The gadget now collects sunlight, converting it to heat. The enclosed air serves as an insulating blanket to trap heat generated during the day, with the benefit of keeping your pool warm all day.
Despite these very many benefits, the solar rings’ effectiveness is affected by your surroundings. Because it works in direct sunlight, it won’t work very well in an enclosed environment. Another setback is the difficulty in using this device. Every time you use your pool, you have to manually remove it. There is poor circulation, and the rings tend to collect dust and dirt.
Is it cheaper to heat a pool with gas or electricity?
While you do your comparison between a gas heater and an electric heater, you should also take into consideration how and when you make use of your pool. Gas heaters tend to heat up your pool quite quickly, so you may only need to use them when you want to go for a swim. On the other hand, the electric heat will likely need to be on all the time for you to achieve your desired temperature.
When it comes to cost, your pool size has a great influence. The larger the pool, the higher the cost. However, the typical monthly operating cost of a gas heater is about two hundred to four hundred dollars, whereas that of an electric heater is less, coming in at about a hundred to two hundred.
This variation in cost of operation clarifies that, despite the electric heater’s being more expensive to install, it could save you a lot of money in the long run.
Can a tankless water heater be used to heat a pool?
Being conversant with tankless water heaters and their function of making hot water readily available for domestic appliances. Can we ask if it can serve the same purpose for our pool?
Your answer is coming as a yes. It can be used, but you need to know that the tankless water in our homes is not designed for this assignment. Hence, we are going to need to run it on a different circuit, separate from the main circulation system of the pool. Also bear in mind that pool water chemicals can harm your heater.
Therefore, implementing the heater functionality to heat our pool is not advisable, but if you want to try, it’s totally up to you.
Is it better to leave the pool heater on all the time?
Just like there are different pools, so too are the heating needs. Above ground pool heaters need professional installation. A solar ring, liquid heat blanket, or floating solar blanket is pretty easy to install. It is done by placing it in the water or on the pool surface.
Solid solar blankets should be professionally installed, although you can do subsequent operating when necessary after installation by yourself. It is alright to keep a solar blanket or rings on your pool at all times, but you do need to put your pool heater on unless necessary.
You should not leave your pool heater on all the time. This is because you waste natural gas and electricity. Your pool will also get overheated. One hour is okay before using the pool.
