The only time you want to see green water in your pool is on Christmas Eve. And thanks to some creative lighting and a pool heater, this family will be enjoying a festive dip in their heated pool before opening their holiday gifts.

When the average daily temperature is still at or above 100 degrees here in the Valley of the Sun, it can be hard to imagine why anyone would spend the money on equipment to heat their pool. Or maybe you purchased a home that did not have a heater for the swimming pool, and you just never got around to remedying that problem. But as we head into October, you will begin to see the wisdom in this investment. However, by then, you will have little time to put a plan into action and have a warm pool to enjoy over the winter months. So do your best to think cold thoughts as you consider your three options for extending the use of your UNIQUE swimming pool for winter use.

THREE WAYS TO HEAT YOUR POOL

When you are researching reliable ways to heat your swimming pool, you will learn there are three options. And just as with most things in life, each one has its pros and cons. Your three options are:

  1. GAS HEAT- This is the most common selection for most homeowners for rapid heating.
  2. ELECTRIC HEAT- This is a more cost-effective option, but it takes longer to heat the pool.
  3. SOLAR HEAT- This is the most efficient and cost-effective option for heating your pool.

Knowing these fundamental options is just the beginning. There are many more considerations, such as the installation cost and logistics if the pool is existing, the operating cost, and the life expectancy of the equipment.

GAS HEATING

This inviting spa is warm and ready to enjoy in just minutes thanks to a gas heater, which can also be used to heat the entire pool.

Gas heat is the option that is included in most UNIQUE pool packages that include a spa. It is the best option for spa heating and will also function well as a pool heater. As we mentioned above, the gas heating system is great for your spa’s fast heating and the quickest way to heat the much more considerable capacity in your swimming pool.

But the downside of this speed is the operating cost. Typically, our customers report spending between $300 and $500 a month in additional gas to heat their pool for an event or two such as a Christmas Day swim, New Year’s Eve Party, or for a change of venue to watch the Super Bowl. The initial investment for a gas heater will start at about $2500 and go up from there, depending on the unit’s size. And don’t forget that you will need a gas line installed that will run from your gas meter to your pool equipment. That installation alone can easily exceed $1,000.

If you have an existing pool that you would like to heat, consider the location of your gas meter and pool equipment to determine the area that will need to be disrupted to install the gas line. But other than that logistical detail, a gas heater is the most economical option to install. It can be done relatively quickly, once you decide to call 480-969-1911 to get a price quote from the team at UNIQUE.

ELECTRIC HEATING

An electric heater is the perfect way to maintain the warmth of this gorgeous pool water for added enjoyment in the early fall or late spring.

Electric heating uses a heat pump and function much like a heat pump inside your home. These heaters are most often used to maintain the water temperature for constant use. So you might install this option to extend your fall and spring pool use taking the water from around 60 degrees to a more comfortable 80 degrees constantly. It could take a few days to increase the pool water by 20 degrees, but it will successfully maintain it for just a few hundred dollars a month. Imagine the cost being comparable to running the AC in your home for the summer months.

 An added benefit is that you can also use this piece of equipment to cool your pool water in the summertime. Your pool water could be almost as warm as your body temperature in July, which is not refreshing. But turning on your heat pump could reduce the water temperature to a very comfortable 80 degrees.

The one job that a heat pump is not suited for is heating a spa. This job needs to be done relatively quickly. And that is not possible with a heat pump. You would wait days for your heat pump to have your spa warm and ready to relax your stiff or sore muscles. The other drawback is that a heat pump installation will set you back about $6,000 or more depending on the size.

When you are ready to explore the possibilities or a heat pump for your pool, call 480-969-1911 to get a price quote from the team at UNIQUE.

SOLAR

When it is cold enough to enjoy all of your fire features, you can only enjoy your pool if the water is heated. Ask the UNIQUE pros what is the best option to warm your pool this winter.

Solar will be far more expensive to install. But you will begin to recover that investment as soon as you start heating your pool water with it. To determine the rough cost of solar heating, you will need to know your pool’s surface area. The general recommendation is to install about 50% of your pool’s surface area in solar panels to increase your swimming season by 1.5 to 2 months. Installing enough solar panels to equal your pool’s surface area will provide about three months of added use from your pool.

Now to determine the price of your solar set up. On average, you will spend about $20/square foot on your pool solar panels. So an average 400 square foot surface area pool will cost about $5,000 for 50% coverage and $8,500 for full coverage. But remember, there is no operating cost, so think of this investment as a way to save several hundred dollars each month that you heat your pool water. To learn more about your options for solar, gas, or electric heating systems for your Phoenix swimming pool, click here or call 480-969-1911 to get a price quote from the UNIQUE team.

The best seat in the house for the big game does not always need to be in the house. If you have a heated pool, this could be your favorite place to watch the game.