One of the big events of every summer for swimming pool owners is the day the pool water is finally warm enough to swim in. Though the water warms during the day, it cools again at night. Several weeks may pass before the water warms up enough for swimming. But what if you could lengthen your swimming season by several weeks, or even several months? The good news is: you can, by installing a swimming pool heater.

Swimming pool heaters raise the water temperature during the transitional spring and autumn months and in areas with cool summers. Above ground pools are especially susceptible to heat loss because they do not have the insulation and warmth provided by the earth that surrounds an in-ground pool. An above ground pool is especially susceptible to heat loss due to the exposed sides..

There are three main types of swimming pool heaters to choose from.

The most popular, most efficient, least costly pool heaters are the natural gas / propane heaters. Most models can be fitted to whichever form of gas is prevalent in your area. A popular natural gas / propane heater is the Jandy LXi heater. Gas heats water the fastest and is best when you need to raise the water temperature a number of degrees. Today’s natural gas / propane heaters carry energy efficiency ratings between 81% and 95%, making them the most popular type of pool heater. Thermostatic controls ensure that the heater only runs when the water temperature falls below the set level. Consider hiring a professional plumber to install your gas pool heater to insure that all connections are properly made and that all safety precautions have been taken.

Electric pool heaters, usually heat pumps, extract the heat from the air, compress it and use the resulting heat to raise the temperature of your pool’s water. An excellent example of a well-made, efficient heat pump is the AquaPro Pro 600. It works like your home air conditioner in reverse. A heat pump can effectively heat your swimming pool’s water as long as the air temperature is 50 degrees Farenheit or above. Electric heaters, or heat pumps, are usually more expensive to operate but may be used at night, in combination with a solar heater, to maintain the heat that was gained during the day.

Solar pool heaters, the third main type, are rapidly gaining ground as pool owners become more environmentally conscious. Solar pool heaters operate by passing your pool’s water through black tubes that have absorbed the sun’s heat. The heat is then transferred to the water and returned to the pool by your existing pump. The cost to operate a solar pool heater is virtually zero since it moves water using your existing pump and filtration system and the sun’s heat is free. The downside is that a solar heater system can be expensive to install initially. This higher cost can be recovered in only a few years through lower energy costs as compared to other pool heating systems. One note of caution: you should plan ahead carefully to make sure you have sufficient space, either on the ground or on a roof, to install a solar pool heater. You should allow an area equal to the surface area of your swimming pool for your solar array. One side benefit of a solar pool heating system is in areas with very hot summers, the system can be run at night to cool an overheated pool. An Enersol Solar pool heater is an easy-to-install product for in ground pools. Enersol is a long-established, reputable manufacturer that offers one of the longest warranties in the industry.

Whether or not you decide to purchase a swimming pool heating system, a great pool accessory to have is a solar cover or blanket. Solar covers are made from thin but very durable plastic sheets with insulating bubbles of air between the layers. They resemble the packaging material “bubble wrap”. A solar cover floats atop the water and conducts sunlight into the water to heat it. At night, the cover insulates against heat loss. This can greatly enhance the effectiveness of any other swimming pool heating system by retaining the heat gained during the day. As an added benefit, it will also reduce water and chemical evaporation and prevents dirt and debris from entering the pool while it’s covered, reducing maintenance and stress on your filtration system.

To assist you in putting the cover on and off, a solar reel is available and can be permanently attached to the sides of your above ground pool.

You have a number of pool heater solutions from which to choose. Many pool equipment makers are responding to the need for their products to be long-lasting, energy efficient, environmentally responsible and budget friendly. In choosing the right heater for your pool you will need to factor in the availability and price of fuel, the size of your pool that determines the size of heater you need, and how much and how fast you want to raise the temperature of your water. So extend your “summer” swim season into spring and fall. Get a swimming pool heater today.