HEATING COMPARISONS

A COMPARATIVE SUMMARY
OF THREE METHODS OF HEATING
SWIMMING POOLS

So that you, the consumer, can be a smart shopper, we will outline the three most common methods for swimming pool heating. Below is valuable information that will help you make the best decision. With very few exceptions, we here at Tri-City Pool Service believe that the wisest choice is the GulfStream electric heat pump.

1...The electric heat pump swimming pool heater is an energy saving machine that moves heat from the surrounding air and transfers it to the pool water...these units are so efficient they will save you up to 80% in operating costs when compared to propane gas. The long design life of a heat pump is 12 to 15 years, like your home air conditioner or the refrigerator in your kitchen. The yearly cost for the electricity to maintain 84 degree water in a pool with 400 square foot of surface area is approximately $365.00, or just a dollar a day. The use of a solar blanket, while optional, may reduce this already low operating cost even further.
The price for an installed heat pump is about $3000.00 to $4,000, depending on the model and the pool size.

2...The propane gas heater, while having a faster temperature recovery on initial startup and is less expensive to buy than an electric heat pump, is far the most expensive to operate because of the high cost of propane gas. You'll also need to install a tank for gas storage on your property. Then also, the fact that the heat exchanger and other components are directly fired with gas flames, the equipment tends to have a short useful life of approximately 5 to 7 years. The yearly cost for propane gas to maintain water at 84 degrees in a pool with 400 square foot of surface area is about $1400.00 or about (4) four dollars a day. Most people do not care for the appearance of a pool blanket and most find them a nuisance to work with. However, the use of a heat retaining solar blanket is strongly recommended with a propane gas heater as a way to help reduce the higher operating costs.
The approximate installed price for a propane gas heater is $2500.00.

3...A solar pool heater may represent the most cost effective method of all, at least from an operating cost standpoint, but the "downside" is that during periods of cloudy and inclement weather, maintaing a warm water temperature will probably not be possible. Local climatological data collected over many years by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration shows there is an average of 10 to 12 cloudy days in each of our winter months. Therefore, you are at the mercy of Mother Nature as to whether you'll have warm pool water with a solar pool heater. The use of a heat retaining solar blanket is definately recommended with a solar system in an effort to maintain swimmable water temperatures. A solar system, at best, is helpful in lengthening your swimming season but it will come up short of the needed 84 degrees in the winter months and may only deliver a 7 to 10 degree rise above the gulf water temperature without a heat pump or propane gas back-up.
The approximate installed price for a solar pool heater for a pool with 400 square foot of surface area is $2400.00.

With very few exceptions, we here at Tri-City Pool Service
believe that the wisest choice is the electric heat pump.
Let us tell you why.

* Collier 597-6518 * Lee 481-4122 * Charlotte 637-8099 *

* Toll free 1-800-741-1780 * Fax 1-941-481-2432 *