Swimming is very popular in the U.S. Not only is it fun but there are a wealth of benefits for your physical and mental health. Having your own swimming pool is the most convenient way to benefit from this type of exercise.
Because swimming has a low impact on your body while providing significant benefits, it’s a sport that’s good for everybody no matter their age. If you’re thinking about having a pool installed in your home, then you’ll need to consider a pool heater vs heat pump when deciding on how to heat the pool. In this article, you’ll read about the merits of both and how to choose what’s right for you.
Pool Heater for Flexibility
Pool heaters are the most popular option for heating swimming pools. The market offers a lot of choices, and that also means there will be a price point to suit your budget. These types of heaters offer great flexibility. You can heat your pool whenever you want and for as long as you want. This is great in the colder months of the year. As long as you have a power source such as natural gas or electricity, you’ll have a nice heated pool.
The downside is that these heaters will cost you more to run. Depending on how often you run the heater, your operating costs will soon get expensive. On top of that, there are more moving parts to this type of heater and so maintenance will also be an ongoing consideration.
Heat Pump for Maximum Efficiency
Heat pumps operate on a different principle than standard pool heaters. They are based on the physics of heat exchange between a coolant and its system. Basically, the heat pump absorbs heat from the surrounding air and converts that heat into a water heating system for your pool.
By far the greatest advantage is how cost-effective and efficient this system is in comparison to the standard pool heater. That said, there are some disadvantages. The ambient air temperature has to be at, or above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).
This means that the heat pump is not ideal if you live in a cold country or you want to use the pool all year round. However, if you’re satisfied with a pool season through the warmer months, then this will suit you perfectly. You get all the heated pool benefits but at a fraction of the cost.
Pool Heater vs Heat Pump: You Choose
In this article, you’ve read about the pool heater vs heat pump and their various advantages. The bottom line is that your choice boils down to where you live and the overall weather, as well as the ongoing costs you think are reasonable in owning a heated swimming pool.
If the swimming pool is just for fun and some exercise through the warmer months, then a heat pump will save you a lot of money.
If you’re a die-hard swimmer and want to use the pool all year round, then stick with the traditional heating methods. Either way, it’s your choice. Check out other interesting articles on our site that match your lifestyle.
