Written on: January 23, 2023
Initially, you may read this and ask yourself “Who needs a pool heater in Southern Florida?”
While it’s true that you may not need it on the hottest summer days, there are numerous benefits to having a heated pool. After all, if you use it for regular exercise, or want to take the chill out of the water during the months of December-February, you’ll be glad you have a pool heater!
Don’t worry—adding a pool heard will NOT turn your pool into a hot tub. But it will take the chill off, so you can enjoy your pool more year-round. Including in the evening and on those days when it does get a little chilly.
Here are the answers to the most common questions we get about pool heaters:
Propane is the most efficient choice for a pool heater because, with our warm climate, you don’t need to use a pool heater as often as an electric one. A propane pool heater will produce more heat, faster. This helps better manage your energy expenditure.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a propane-powered pool heater can achieve as much as 95% efficiency. Propane heaters also do a better job of maintaining the temperature once the water is warm. As a result, propane pool heaters help you keep heating costs under control while letting you enjoy your pool or spa more.
Propane pool heaters work much like tankless water heaters, which is why they are so efficient at heating your pool’s water quickly. Water passes through a combustion chamber where it’s rapidly heated by copper coils before it flows back into your pool.
An electric pool heater will take hours to bring the water to a comfortable temperature. They work more like a heat pump, pulling warm air in, heating it, and heating the water. And as the outside temperature gets cooler, an electric pool heater must work harder to heat the water—and keep it warm—which drives up your energy costs.
In addition to propane and electric pool heaters, you could opt for a solar pool heater. But there are drawbacks to this option unless you have a lot of space.
A solar pool heater requires an area equal to at least 50%, and up to 100%—and occasionally more—of your pool’s surface to work properly. The system needs to also be mounted on a framework in your yard or on your roof, plus, your pool’s pump must run the water through the system to heat it.
So, while solar energy is technically free (once you’ve paid for the system), you may see a big spike in electric bills as your pool pump works overtime moving the water through.
In addition to being a highly efficient way to heat water, propane is a clean-burning fuel, so you’ll save energy and reduce your home’s carbon footprint, too.
If you already use propane to heat your home, your water, or any other appliances, it’s the smart choice for your pool heater too. Beeline Propane offers convenient and reliable propane deliveries to help you take advantage of all the benefits of propane, both indoors and out! Contact us today for more information.