A heater will make your swimming pool comfortable and usable even in cooler weather. However, for it to work correctly, it’s important to find one that works for your pool; this can be difficult if you’ve never picked one out before. To help you do that, here are a few tips for choosing one.

How to Select a Swimming Pool Heater

1. Size

First, you'll need to know how many gallons your swimming pool holds. This ensures that you find a heater with enough power to adequately heat the entire pool.

• For pools that hold 1,000 to 10,000 gallons, select a heater that can handle 100 to 200 BTUs.
• For ones that have 10,000 to 20,000 gallons, choose a 200- to 300-BTU heater.
• Pools that can contain 20,000 to 40,000 should have a 300- to 400-BTU heater.
• Over 40,000 gallons requires 400 BTUs.

2. Power Mode

Heaters come driven by one of three different power sources. A heat pump is powered by electricity, a solar heater is powered by the sun, and a gas heater is powered by gas or propane. A heat pump has low operating costs and can last up to 20 years, while a solar one is environmentally friendly and maintains a consistent temperature. A gas heater is affordable to purchase and requires little maintenance. When selecting a power mode, consider your budget and how much time you have for upkeep.

3. Maintenance

A pool heater must be maintained throughout the year. Each heater type has unique concerns that will need to be addressed. For instance, with heat pumps, you’ll need to check freon levels and refill it when necessary. With gas heaters, you’ll need to turn on a pilot light for it to run. With solar heaters, the unit must be exposed to four to six hours of sunlight each day and filters need to be cleaned regularly. 

Understanding the above factors will help you purchase the right heater for your needs. For over 30 years, Distinctive Swimming Pools has been installing pool heaters throughout Fairfield and Litchfield counties in Connecticut. If you need help choosing a heater model, they can advise you. They also offer swimming pool maintenance and renovations. To learn more about their services, contact them today by calling (860) 868-3622 or visiting their website.