Want to make your natural gas heater for your pool more efficient? Here are four tips.
Four women sitting on the edge of a pool, dangling their feet into the water
There are several things you can do to create a more efficient heating experience for your pool. Whether it’s keeping the heater in top condition, upgrading your cover, or optimizing the overall efficiency of your pool, just a few investments can save you money in the long run.
Here’s what you need to know.
Why Are Natural Gas Pool Heaters Popular?
If you’ve opted for a natural gas heater for your pool, you aren’t alone. They’re one of the most popular options for modern-day pools, in part because gas heating is fast and convenient. You never need to worry whether your pool water will be warm when you’re ready to take a dip if you use a gas heater.
Unfortunately, the downside of gas heating is that it can be expensive, especially when the pool heater isn’t operating efficiently.
The solution?
Find ways to enhance the heater's efficiency, allowing you to get the best of all worlds: fast and efficient heating for the lowest possible investment.
Here are four ways to make your pool’s gas heater more efficient.
1. Invest in a Pool Cover
In most cases, heat loss from your pool occurs due to water evaporation, regardless of the temperature. Adding a cover to your pool drastically reduces heat loss by preventing evaporation. Your water will stay warmer longer after you’ve heated it, especially once you cover the pool.
There are several types of covers, all of which work well to minimize evaporation. The most popular pool cover options include:
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Solar covers (we like the Blue Solar blanket)
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Thermal blankets
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Automatic covers
Ideally, pool owners will cover their pool whenever it’s not in use, especially overnight. You should notice a significant improvement in heating and a reduction in the use of your heater immediately when you begin using a cover.
2. Service Your Heater
One of the best ways to enhance your pool heater’s efficiency? Make sure it’s running optimally.
Just as you’d service and tune up your vehicle to keep it running efficiently, you should service and tune up your pool heater. Heaters that are clogged with debris, scale, and corrosion waste gas. Annual professional servicing ensures that the burners, heat exchanger, and ventilation are all in good working order.
In addition to professional service, there are also things you can do to keep your heater in good repair. Make sure you’re checking the filter and water flow regularly. Keep it clear of leaves and dirt so nothing clogs the filter. Also, ensure proper water chemistry in your pool so there’s less risk of scale buildup.
Regular maintenance helps your heater run at peak performance and extends its life, saving you money in multiple ways.
3. Optimize Pool Temperature
Where you set your pool’s temperature has a significant impact on how efficiently the gas heater operates. Many pool owners overheat their pools, wasting heat and costing them more money than necessary.
If you’re like most people, your ideal swimming temperature is between 78 degrees and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have young children swimming in your pool or anyone in your family is using the pool therapeutically, a higher temp might be preferred. However, for most people, 82 degrees F is about as high as it needs to be for comfort. If you have the pool temperature set higher, simply pushing it back a degree or two can make a huge difference in how efficiently the heater operates.
In addition to manually changing the temperature, you should consider installing a timer or smart pool control system. This allows you to automate the pool's heating, keeping it just warm enough for swimming when you need it. During off-swim hours, the heater doesn’t need to run, wasting energy and money.
We love the Hayward UltraMax 1.5 HP 2-Speed w/ Timer Pool Pump (SP29152ET) for a pool pump that works great and includes an automatic heat timer.
4. Improve the Overall Efficiency of Your Swimming Pool
A more efficient pool means more efficiency for your pool’s gas heater. Efficiency upgrades to your pool should include:
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Keep the pool pump and filter clean with algaecide pucks (ALG-PB-5PK) and other tools
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Reduce wind exposure with fencing and landscaping
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Add solar heating panels to assist with heating
One of the best ways to increase efficiency is to think of it as a complete system, not just something that targets heating. The more efficient your pool, the more efficient the heater, and the less expensive it is to operate your pool.
Keep Your Pool Running Optimally
If you’re looking for more ways to boost your pool heater’s efficiency or you need a reliable supplier of pool supplies, we’re ready to help.