Not all states are created equal when it comes to sunshine and temperature. In sunny Florida or California, the idea of installing a pool heater may seem ludicrous.
In Northern New York, however, investing in a pool heater is just plain common sense. In this article, we take a closer look at the types of swimming pool heaters and the many benefits that they can offer.
Types of Heaters
There are three types of heaters: gas, electric and solar.
- Gas — This style is extremely effective but is quite expensive to operate. They do heat water quickly, so if you don’t swim often and use the pump only occasionally, this could be a good choice
- Electric — While these pumps are expensive to run at first, once the water reaches your preferred temperature, they are quite efficient and fairly cheap to operate. Just don’t try to use the heater if the air temperature drops below 50°F — it will cost you a fortune.
- Solar — While they’re not cheap to buy, the operating costs of solar units are quite low. But, because they rely on the sun for heat, they won’t work well if you have a lot of cloudy days.
Now that you know your options, let’s take a look at the top reasons to consider purchasing a pool heater.
Location
If your pool is located in full, all-day sun, and you use a solar cover, your pool water will likely be quite comfortable for swimming during the summer months.
If your pool is in a shady area, however, even hot summer days may not be enough to warm the water. In this case, a pool heater is a necessity — unless you enjoy cold water swimming.
Weather
Even if your pool is located in a very sunny spot and you use a solar blanket religiously, there will still be days — even in the summer — where your pool might be too cool for your liking.
Not every day is hot and humid and those cooler, rainy summer days can definitely have your pool’s temperature dipping well below 78°F.
A pool heater can also create a more comfortable environment for swimming after the sun goes down.
Length of Use
If you’re happy with using your pool for two months out of the year, then a heater might not be for you. If you want to get as much time as possible out of your pool, however, a heater is a good investment.
With a pool heater, you can easily be swimming May through mid-October, giving you a good five months of use out of your pool. That’s literally double the amount of time you’d get without one.
Longevity
A good pool heater will last you a long time. If you invest in a quality unit, you should get a minimum of 20 years out of it if you’re faithful to routine maintenance. Some pool heaters have been known to last well beyond the 20-year mark, keeping pools heated for 30 years or more.
Due to their hardiness, you won’t need to replace your heater for decades, ensuring that you’ll more than get your money out of it.
Ace Swim & Leisure
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of swimming pool heaters, get in touch with us at Ace Swim & Leisure. As your top provider of above-ground swimming pools in Northern New York, our goal is to help our customers get the most out of their pools.
Drop-in for a visit at any of our four locations to talk to one of our experts about an above-ground deck or to shop for an above-ground pool heater.
