November 2011
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Changing Your Hot Tub Water in 4 Simple Steps
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How to Choose the Right In-ground Pool for You
in Maintenance
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When the weather starts to cool in southern climates, many pool owners begin looking into pool heaters that will allow them to use their pools on sunnier days in the winter. With the number of heater options out there, however, it can be difficult to determine which one will best suit your needs.
To find the perfect heater for your pool, you will need to talk to your authorized dealer. But before they can help you, you will need to know a few facts about your pool and what you are looking for, says Azur Dzindo, Heater & Lights Product Manager, Pentair Water Pool & Spa.
“If you’re adding a heater to an existing pool, you need to know the size of the pool, what other equipment is already in place, and what size pipes are presently in use,” he says.
You will also need to decide whether you want to maintain a certain temperature in your pool at all times or just use the heater for quick, sporadic heating. If you want to use the heated pool for regular exercise, for example, you may need a different system than someone who plans to use it for the occasional swim. Making these distinctions will help the dealer serve you better.
Pool Heaters: What to Ask
If you come armed with information about your pool’s hardware and your personal needs, your dealer will be able to show you several heater models that will accommodate you. At this point, you will need to ask the right questions to find the pool heater that’s best for you.
1. Ask which type of heating system will best suit your needs.
Gas-fired, heat pump and solar system all have benefits and drawbacks, so you will need to find out which system is most compatible with your existing set-up—as well as your priorities. For example, some systems are more energy efficient, while others are more powerful, Dzindo explains.
“Solar heating systems and heat pumps are very cost-effective, but they can’t provide the quick warming that a gas-fired heater can, and their efficacy is climate dependent,” he says. “However, they don’t consume natural gas or propane, so the energy costs are dramatically lower with those technologies.”
2. Ask what each system will cost in the long run.
Some systems have high price tags, but the energy savings they create in the long run could make up the difference.
“Among gas heaters, energy-efficient models might cost more up front, but will cost less to operate and will heat the pool faster,” Dzindo says.
3. Ask about the warranty.
A long-term warranty can make a big difference when you’re purchasing a piece of equipment that’s meant to last for years. Ask about the manufacturer’s guarantee and the dealer’s service policy to find out which options provide the best support.
Pool Heaters: What Features to Look For
The features you should look for will depend on your needs, but more sophisticated pool heaters should have a high efficiency rating and advanced controls. These include on-board diagnostics, which will alert you if the heater is experiencing difficulties, digital controls, and automation functionality that will allow you to program when your heater will turn on and off.
You should also make sure your heater incorporates up-to-date troubleshooting technologies, which help prevent human error from damaging the device.
“Most of the modern pool heaters are equipped with numerous fail-safe devices to prevent any damage to the heater or components in case mistakes are made,” Dzindo says. “Therefore, if the pool heater is installed by a professional and maintained on a regular basis it should last for many seasons.”
