Above Ground Pool Heaters

Above ground pools are very different from in-ground pools as they are elevated and therefore have different characteristics. Above ground pools are also usually smaller than their in-ground counterparts since very large ones are not very practical. If people want a large pool they are better off getting the in-ground type. So if you want to extend the swimming season of an above ground pool the requirements for a pool heater are different.

When looking for a heater for an above ground pool there are a number of options. As the volume of water is relatively small it is possible to use an electric pool heater. These are cheaper than gas heaters and not as difficult to install. They are however costly to operate due to the increased usage of electricity needed to heat your pool.

Gas heaters made for above ground pools (such as the Hayward H100) are lower powered than those for in-ground pools (such as the Raypak 2100). Since most above ground pools are not really that big you don’t use up that much energy as the heater only needs to maintain the temperature of a relatively small volume of water.

Another option to consider for an above ground pool is a solar heating system. It is generaly agreed that the solar panels need to cover the same area as the surface of the pool to be heated. Since most above ground swimming pools are not that big, you don’t need to have a very large space for the solar panels. Solar pool heater systems are expensive, hard to setup, do have running costs and of course depend on the weather - that’s why most people opt for gas or electric heaters.

These days, if you are looking for an energy efficient means of heating a pool a heat pump such as the Hayward Heat Pump may be a better way to go. Heat Pumps are very efficient because they don't produce heat they just "pump" heat from the air into the water.

When using a pool heater you can greatly increase its efficiency, and reduce your costs, by using a pool cover when the pool is not being used. Pool covers insulate the pool and minimise evaporation so limiting heat loss. This means that your pool heater will use less energy (and hence cost less) in maintaining your required temperature.

If you are planning on buying a heater for your above ground pool keep the above points in mind so that you can maximise your enjoyment of the pool whilst minimizing the cost.