Gas heaters can heat a pool quickly and suit homeowners who use their pool regularly. They typically have faster warm-up times than solar or electric heaters. Aside from the type of heater, the size of the unit, the pool size, and the climate will determine how long it takes to warm the water.

Connecting the piping for the water flow is probably a breeze for DIY experts, but an electrician should see to the electrical connections. The proximity of the equipment to the water increases the risks of electrocution. The installation of heat pumps can be tackled as a DIY project in many instances.

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These heaters run on gas or propane and are quite affordable to purchase and install. The heater alone will cost between $1,000 and $4,500, with labor costing between $500 and $1,500. If you’re using natural gas or propane as your fuel source for your new pool heater then you mustn’t install it inside of your house. Traditionally, using saddle valves to pierce existing copper water supply pipes was common when installing fridge water lines. The method has fallen out of favor due to the valves’ leak potential and is forbidden by building codes in many municipalities.

Even though your line will be inspected when installed, you will likely have to have a full inspection of the water heater system after installation. Table 2 below estimates annual costs of a using a gas pool heater for an outdoor swimming pool by location, bywater temperature, and with or without using apool cover. Another benefit of gas pool heaters is they perform well in any climate. They’ll heat your pool and spa on the coldest of days versus the limits of a heat pump. For electronic gas pool heaters, those with a digital display, make sure that your heater is truly powered down by removing the power source. Consult and follow the owner’s manual of your existing pool heater, and disconnect the incoming power wires at the connection points inside the heater.

If the water flow through the heat pump is too low, then the heat pump may overheat and the safety mechanism will turn the unit off. Pool heat pumps should wherever possible be installed outdoors in order to have a good supply of fresh air. However some can be installed inside a pump house – see the section below.

Insufficient clearance – Heat pump blowing onto shedInsufficient clearance – should be at least 2.5m at front and 300mm at backHeat pump installed under decking. Risk of air recirculation and insufficient air flowCalorex heat pump installed inside a shed but the wrong way round ! Also fan blowing onto an obstructionHeat pump is installed the wrong way round, is blowing onto the wall !

Pool Heater Cost And Installation Info

An electric pool heater can be located outdoors or in a shed with minimal ventilation as it doesn’t emit harmful gasses. These don’t need to be vented outside, unlike gas heaters. Just wanted to let you guys know that I’ve done all the calculations. I’ve got a masters degree in mechanical engineering and have taken numerous courses in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics although it’s been 37 years. My pool is 20,000 gal and calculated that a 150 kBTU heater will produce 125 kBTU with the reported 83.5% efficiency.

Gas Heat or Heat Pump?

If quick heating is your priority we recommend using a gas heater. Our Universal H Series heaters offer the most reliable, efficient solutions for any pool or spa. Experience the luxury of total comfort with Hayward’s full line of heating solutions. Never let the weather control your swimming pool and spa enjoyment again. Pool heaters provide the ultimate in swimming comfort letting you choose the perfect temperature all year round. Hayward has the best heating solutions for your backyard.

New Gas Line Installation Cost

Heat pumps work well in warmer climates but are at a disadvantage in colder climates. Although a heat pump will operate at temperatures above 50° F, cooler air temperatures above 50° F may not have sufficient heat in the air to keep your pool as warm as you desire. At these lower temperatures a heat pump is likely not the best option for heating your pool. This DIY solar pool heater uses a piece of corrugated metal roofing to create an open-flow solar collector. Start by connecting them together and building a frame around them with wooden boards. Your pool heater will need something solid to sit on, especially if the area where you’ll be installing the heater is dirt or soil.

However, as the thermometer dips below 60 o/F, a Propane tank’s ability to produce vaporized gas decreases sharply. In fact, as the chart above indicates, a Propane tank will yield barely HALF as much capacity at 20 o/F as it does at 60 o/F. Always cover your spa or hot tub when not in use to minimize heat loss and evaporation. In the table below, locate the surface area equal to or slightly greater than the pool’s surface area, read to the left and select the appropriate heater. The electrical control boxes can be custom designed to your requirements.

Fittings and regulators are covered in the materials costs for each gas line. Edge of property – Rural areas sometimes offers connection to the edge of a property for free, though the other costs apply to the rest of the property. Before contacting your gas supplier, get details on the following to see if you qualify for a free or low-cost installation.

So, if you have a small appliance, you may be able to T off your existing pipe to supply it. Plumbers have a wide range of labor Geek2Geek free rates from $75 to $130 an hour. Depending on your area and the plumber you contract, this impacts the project’s price.

If your heater has union connections, use large channel locks to loosen the unions. Older heaters without union connections may be plumbed with threaded CPVC fitting, or may utilize heat sinks – metal tubes with unions on the bottom. Leave room to reconnect with a coupling or union, if you plan to re-use the pipes on the new heater. For steel or copper heat sinks, remove the bolts on the header flanges, to disconnect the water plumbing from the heater. The cost is roughly the same for installing a propane gas line from the tank to the house as the cost to have natural gas run to the house. The cost to convert an electric stove to gas averages $400 for an existing gas line.

Contact your gas supplier and ask about application fees, initial inspection costs, and a connection fee. Free or cheap main gas line installs are offered by some gas companies as well. Some factors affect the cost of installing a pool heater. The device will cost between $2,000 and $7,500, with labor costing between $500 and $2,000. Even though solar heaters are more expensive upfront than gas heaters, your energy bill will be essentially non-existent.