Unless you’re a member of the Polar Bear Club, chances are you don’t like to leap into a cold pool. While a pool can, of course, be very refreshing on a hot summer day, water that’s too cold is simply uncomfortable for many people.
The best temperature range for pool water is between 78- and 82-degrees F. Lower 70s and below can be downright frigid, feeling especially cold when the air temperature is high.
A propane pool heater is the perfect addition to any pool, as it’s difficult to maintain that ideal temperature range if you’re relying on the sun to heat the pool. Cloudy days or rainy days will certainly impede the sun’s ability to heat your pool water, and if your pool is in the shade for a good portion of the day, then that will also hurt the chances of your pool water heating naturally.
Let’s take a look at why a propane pool heater would be a great idea; we’ll look at different types of pool heaters, propane pool heater costs, and even answer a few questions such as “how much propane does my home need”?
Different Types of Pool Heaters
While propane pool heaters are not the only type of pool heater out there, they are certainly the best choice for a few reasons. There are various sizes for in-ground, and above-ground propane pool heaters, so you can choose accordingly. A propane-heated pool would pair well with a propane outdoor fireplace as well!
Compared to an electric pool heater, which uses an electric heat pump, a propane pool heater is better to heat the pool water. An electric model will only heat the water to a temperature slightly warmer than the surrounding air, which it uses to warm the water. Not very effective if you’re taking a dip on a moderately cool day!
There are solar pool heaters, but these are expensive and take much longer to heat the water than a propane pool heater. And, of course, you’ll need total sunshine for these to work most effectively.
You can use natural gas for a pool heater as well, and while these will work as well as a propane heater, there’s the extra work and cost of connecting the heater to the natural gas line.
Why Propane?
Propane is the best choice for a pool heater for many reasons. Perhaps the most important is that propane heats the water more quickly than other sources. Propane pool heaters also cost less to operate than electric or natural gas heaters.
Residential
Pool heaters are a popular choice for residential swimming pools of all sizes.
Other residential propane uses include:
- Grills
- Fireplaces
- Cookers
- Fryers
- Furnaces
- Outdoor kitchens
- Gas cooktops and ovens
- Outdoor kitchens
Commercial
Since propane heaters come in any size to maintain the temperature of any size pool, there are heaters that can be used for commercial swimming pools as well as residential ones.
Propane gas is also a great choice for many types of businesses. Propane is effective and cost-efficient for use in schools, hotels, motels, laundromats, dry cleaners, restaurants, manufacturing plants, and retirement homes, to name a few.
Propane can supply heat and power to office buildings and warehouses; run industrial processing machines; operate large stoves and refrigeration units; and power crop drying equipment. There is plenty that propane can do for you!
How Does It Work and What Does It Cost?
Basically, propane pool heaters work by using propane gas to heat the water as the pump pushes the water through a filter and then through the heater, where propane is used to warm the water that is circulated back into the pool.
How much does a propane pool heater cost? The price of a pool heater can vary based on the size needed but could run between $1,500 and $6,000. Operating costs also vary by size. A good rule of thumb is that propane heaters usually burn about one gallon per hour per 100,000 BTUs. One hour of propane typically costs about $18. So, once you know your pool heater’s BTUs, you can figure out how much it will cost you per day to operate your pool heater based on how many BTUs and how many hours you run the heater.
Where Does Diversified Come In?
Once you make the decision to go with a propane pool heater, you’ll need a propane supply company to deliver the propane you’ll need on a monthly basis. If you live in NC, SC, VA, or in the Mount Joy, PA, area, you can choose one of the largest East Coast propane retailers: Diversified Energy.
Gas Up Your Home
The options for using propane are practically endless! Even your pool can use propane heat. Convert your home today, and start saving!
Diversified can install your pool heater as well as any gas lines; sell and install your propane storage tank; and make regular deliveries of propane so you never run out. Diversified has an automatic “watchdog” delivery service wherein the propane is delivered at a predetermined date so you never have to monitor your usage or call the company for your next delivery.
Let Diversified help you make a big splash this summer and enjoy your pool like you never have before!
