Having a pool is one of the best things anyone could wish for. Throwing pool parties, freshening up after a demanding day, and showing off (yes show off) are some of the beautiful features of owning a pool. But most pools can’t be easily moved, managed, or heated. Inflatable pools have more eco-friendly ways of heating and managing than other types of pools.
If you want to enjoy your inflatable pool without season, then you need to install a heating system, and not just any, but a fast heating system, especially when you reside in regions with very low temperatures like some states in the USA and UK. You are wondering how to quickly heat your inflatable pool before your friends arrive. Stop wondering and read on to find out how to quickly heat your inflatable pool.
Things to consider before heating your Inflatable pool
When installing an inflatable pool, there are certain things to consider, like when and where to install the pool. Installation of the pool at the wrong time or wrong place would cost you a loss of heat and money. Listed below are some considerations to put in mind before heating your pool.
Location: If you want to heat your pool fast while avoiding heat losses, then the location of your pool should be carefully planned. Installing your pool outside is the first step to heating your pool fast. Gadgets like pool heaters perform efficiently using the ambient temperature of range 45°F to 50°F. Solar mat and black hose are other examples of heaters that demand a favorable location.
The volume of water or size of the pool: Inflatable pools are usually smaller than the other type of pools, which makes them easier to heat and maintain. The volume of water determines the quantity of heat used in heating the pool. An inflatable pool will use less amount of heat than a bigger in-ground pool.
Season: Most pools are actively used during the summer month when the temperature is not too cold for swimming. When the winter season comes, swimming stops. Without a pool heating system, pools whether in-ground or inflatable will be inactive.
Price and expenses: There is no way you can enjoy your day in the pool without putting something aside for maintenance of both the pool and the heater. Most of the heating systems cost quite a lot but are very effective while some are cost-effective and still get the job done. Our target is to offer you a fast and effective method of heating your inflatable pool.
How to use gas heaters for inflatable pools
Can gas heaters be used on inflatable pools? Yes, and it’s the regular in-ground propane gas heater. Don’t worry, it won’t melt your beautiful inflatable pool. With just a little addition in installation, you can get it running for your inflatable pool. Proper installation and maintenance should be carried out by a professional, to enable the best efficacy from the heating system. Our suggestion is to get a professional team from the Thermo pool to carry out the installation.
A gas heater is the most efficient and reliable way to heat your pool to the desired temperature at any time. With a gas heater, you should be swimming in less than an hour. It’s extremely fast and it delivers irrespective of the season, be it winter or the middle of autumn. Nothing heats faster than a gas heater, they are great for emergency heating of the pool and can heat even a frozen pool.
Pros
- It is the most effective method of heating your pool. With the constant availability of propane gas, it will continue operation irrespective of the season.
- It is also the fastest method of heating your pool.
- It saves time.
Cons
- High fuel consumption.
- Costly, due to the price of propane.
Note: A gas heating system is the fastest method of heating your inflatable pool. Though its running cost is cheaper, the cost of installing a gas heating system is quite expensive. Also, with the speedy heating of your pool comes high fuel consumption. The gas heater was designed mostly for the emergency heating of your pool.
Other effective ways to heat your pool.
Though a gas heater is the fastest way to heat your pool, it is not cost-effective, especially for pool owners with a limited budget. There are other methods you can use to heat your pool if you don’t have the required capital to install a gas heater.
How to heat your inflatable pool using solar heaters
The solar heater is one effective method of heating your inflatable pool. Solar heating is commonly used in heating inflatable and above-ground pools. This method is very effective, cheap to construct and maintain, and does not require any form of fuel or power, only the Sun is allowed in the system.
Solar heaters come in various styles, prices, structures, and functions. Solar heating systems are effective in heating and maintaining the heat in your pool. It is the most eco-friendly method of heating your inflatable pool. A detailed list of the various solar heater and their features.
Heating inflatable pools using a solar water heater
Heating Your pool with sunlight is very attractive, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. A solar heater is mainly used for residential purposes like the running of a home heater. But It can also be used for the running of a pool heater.
The solar heater only depends on the amount of sunlight and the number of solar panels installed on the roof, the more the panel, the higher the energy for heating your inflatable pool.
Pros
- Its only source of energy is sunlight, this feature makes it an effective environmentally friendly method of heating pools.
- It is cheap to construct and cheaper to maintain.
Cons
- The amount of solar panels determines the efficacy of the heater.
- The effectiveness of the heater depends on the amount of sunlight ray absorbed by the panel.
- It’s not best recommended for big pools, because its efficiency is based on the amount of sunlight. So it can only be used in summer.
Note: Solar water heaters require a panel that absorbs sun rays, and this panel takes a lot of space in installation.
Heating inflatable pool using Solar panels
If you are environmentally conscious about heating your inflatable pool, a solar panel is the best for you. A solar panel produces energy not heat. This panel collects rays from the sun and transforms them into energy. Which is then used to power the heater of the house and the pool. It is also determined by the number of panels.
The solar panel is usually augmented with a heat exchanger. This heat exchanger is an electric heating system for homes. when combined, it delivers heat quickly to your home and pool.
Operation: These panels are very easy to install. Just purchase the optimal amount for your pool and install it facing south or open space. The capacity, sizes, types, quality, and space for installation are to be considered before purchase.
Pros
- Environmental friendly.
- Renewable energy source.
- Low consumption rate.
Cons
- Not too economical.
- It can only be used in summer.
- Need large space for installation.
Heating inflatable pools using solar dome
A solar heater dome is the most ecological and economical way to heat an Inflatable pool. Due to its innovative design, it allows a considerable amount of heat to be transferred to the pool, using sunlight as an energy source.
It takes little or no space for installation, it doesn’t eat too much out of your budget. This makes it better than the solar panel.
Pros
- It takes little or no space for installation
- It is ecological and nature friendly
- You don’t need to spend a fortune to afford it as it is cost-effective and easy to install.
- It is designed for small pools like a mini inflatable pool.
- It has a renewable source of energy.
Cons
- It makes use of sunlight, so it can’t work perfectly in deep winter.
- It is best used for a small pool because one dome heats up to 5000L of water, so you will need more dome to heat a bigger pool.
Consideration: It takes a great deal of energy to pump water through the dome.
How to heat your inflatable pool using electricity
Electricity is the most common source of energy in the world, it is used to run a lot of gadgets, accessories, and systems. It is vastly available all around the world. Electricity is used in operating home and pool heaters, electric pool heaters are either combined with other systems or functions alone. Listed below are few pool heating systems that use electricity.
Heat pumps for inflatable pool
Constant purchase of fuel for your gas heater can be overbearing. A heat pump is recommended as the perfect alternative because it does not require fuel or sunlight. It runs on electricity and delivers heat directly to the running water. The Hayward-hp50ha-heat-pump is a perfect example of heat pumps that come with a cooling option in case the water gets overheated.
A heat pump is a low voltage device that produces a lot of heat for the pool. The heat pump is very popular because of its durability and cost-effectiveness. Plus, it is easy to use, highly efficient, and durable. Moreover, it is cheaper to install and maintain.
How a heat pump works
Heat pumps absorb heat from the atmosphere and distribute it into the water using electricity as a power source. It remains effective as long as the temperature is above 10°C. When using a heat pump for an inflatable pool, you need to make sure your initial pump network can operate the heat pump.
Installation of a heat pump is to be done outside because its heating rate is determined by the ambient temperature. It takes days to achieve up to 5kW of heat.
Pros
- It possesses outstanding durability.
- Easy to use, operate and maintain.
- Built using a silent engine that produces low noise.
- Low energy cost.
Cons
- It is a slow heater.
- Depend on the surrounding temperature.
- Can only be used at a temperature above 10°C.
Heating your inflatable pool using a heat exchanger
If you are impatient like me, and you can’t wait for your inflatable pool to heat up before you get home from work. Then, just like me, get a heat exchanger. As mentioned earlier, the heat exchanger is combined with either a solar boiler or a heat pump, to help save power and be more eco-friendly.
Heat exchangers use hot water from an electric boiler or solar-heated water circuit to heat the pool. The electricity heat the resistor, and the water passing around the resistor is heated, then transferred to the pool. The principle behind the heat exchanger is, it transfers the heat without transferring the fluid that carries the heat.
heat exchangers are crafted using titanium which is a corrosive resistant element. Corrosion is a major problem when using a titanium heat exchanger, especially in a chlorinated or salt water pool. Using a titanium heat exchanger to heat your pool is one of the fastest ways to heat your pool.
Pros
- Heats up pool very fast.
- Long lifespan and durability.
- Little cleaning is needed due to its high flow rate.
Cons
- It is less environmentally friendly except in combination with solar heaters.
- It only works best when in combination with other heating systems.
Consideration
- Temperature difference: The temperature between the coolant and the hot fluid is very important in the heat exchanger because colder coolant will take out more heat than warmer coolant.
- Flow rate: A greater flow rate will increase the capability to transfer more heat, and it keeps the heat exchanger clean.
- Installation: Installation should be done strictly based on the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Cheap ways to heat an inflatable pool at home
One of the cheapest ways of heating your inflatable pool is by using a liquid solar cover. This liquid is the combination of fatty acid and alcohol, a thin translucent layer that floats on your pool. Liquid solar cover can attract and absorb sun rays and transfer them into the pool.
It also reduces the evaporation of heat from the pool at night. It is very safe for your skin, cheap, and it is the oldest approved method of pool heating.
Another method is the use of solar blankets to cover your pool.
Conclusion
When you are thinking about purchasing an inflatable pool, think about purchasing a fast pool heater too. This is very important because of seasonal changes and you don’t want to be caught swimming in cold and chilly water. Pick and purchase your choice before winter comes.
