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Advantages and Disadvantages of Natural Gas Pool Heaters for Inground Pools

A natural gas pool heater for an in-ground pool is a reliable and efficient choice for heating your water all year round or during cooler months just. Outdoor temperatures may not stay high enough for a sufficient amount of time to adequately heat your pool water, without the help of a heater. A natural gas-powered heater is a feasible alternative, but it can have some drawbacks. Consult pool professionals. They can help you determine what pool type and size is ideal for your swimming pool.

Heats Up Fast

A natural gas pool heater is an perfect alternative if heating up your pool quickly is a significant characteristic. Natural gas burns quickly, so it’s a much faster way to heat your pool than electric, solar or heat pump options. Since it warms the water so quickly, you do not need to plan pool parties around warm temperatures or postpone pool activities until the water warms up. Gas heaters are also a good alternative if you don’t use your pool on a regular basis and wish to be able to warm it up quickly as you need. Natural gas heaters are not dependent on external temperatures, unlike heat pumps and some solar varieties.

Initial Purchase Price

Natural gas heaters can be found in a wide assortment of qualities and sizes and are generally less expensive to buy and install than electric, solar or heat pump types. Natural gas heaters operate roughly $900 to $2,200 for a typical home made, in-ground swimming pool as of January 2014. Electric heaters, heat pumps and solar heaters operate anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 within the exact same time period, with solar heaters around the higher end as a result of their expensive installation costs. However, operational costs often make natural gas heaters not as cost-efficient in the long term.

Energy Costs

Natural gas heaters are not as energy-efficient as some choices. Fluctuating natural gas and electricity prices and the size of a swimming pool make it tough to compare precise operational costs, but there are some common, predictable trends. Solar heaters are the most energy-efficient alternative because they utilize a totally free all-natural resource — the sun — to warm pool water. Heat pumps are the second most energy-efficient option because they take existing warm air from beyond the pool and use it to heat the water. Natural gas heaters come in third and electric heaters are the least economical alternative. When selecting a natural gas heater, then select one which has an 89 to 95 percent efficiency rating, based on Energy.gov.

Life Span of a Natural Gas Heater

Natural gas heaters are durable, but they tend to wear out faster than other pool heating choices. Gas heaters normally endure five or even years but may require service, maintenance or replacement then. The amount you use a gas heater, average outdoor temperatures and desirable temperature of the water are crucial elements in determining a pure gas heater life . Heating pumps and electric heaters normally last 10 years, and solar heating units can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.

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