Gas Swimming Pool Heaters
Gas-fired pool heaters remain the most popular system for heating swimming pools. Today you can find new gas-fired heater models with much higher efficiencies than older models. Still, depending on your climate and pool use, they may not be the most energy-efficient option when compared to heat pump and solar pool heaters.
How They Work
Gas pool heaters use either natural gas or propane. As the pump circulates the pool's water, the water drawn from the pool passes through a filter and then to the heater. The gas burns in the heater's combustion chamber, generating heat that transfers to the water that's returned to the pool.
They're most efficient when heating pools for short periods of time, and they're ideal for quickly heating pools. Therefore, gas pool heaters can be a good choice for pools that aren't used on a regular basis. Unlike heat pump and solar pool heaters, gas pool heaters can maintain any desired temperature regardless of the weather or climate.
Selecting a Gas Pool Heater
When selecting a gas swimming pool heater, you need to consider the following:
Installation and Maintenance
Proper installation and maintenance of your gas pool heater can optimize its efficiency. It's best to have a qualified pool professional install the heater and even perform complicated maintenance or repair tasks.
Read your owner's manual for a maintenance schedule and/or recommendations. You'll probably need to tune up your pool heater annually. Also, scaling in the burner or heat exchanger may decrease efficiency over a period of time.
With proper installation and maintenance, gas pool heaters typically last five or more years.