How to Heat your Swimming Pool!

Invest in a pool heater. This is not always the most efficient way to heat your pool in terms of money but it is by far the best product in terms of results. Almost immediate temperature increases can be achieved using a combustion pool heater. You will want to discuss your specific pool dimensions and temperature goals with your local pool dealer before you buy a pool heater. Take into consideration that after it is properly installed by the pool dealer (most include installation with purchase) you will have to pay to have it professionally hooked up to gas/propane along with proper electrical installation. It might also be a good idea to find out how much fuel you will be using in order to maintain your desired temperature. Don't wait til the gas bill arrives. As you can see, there can be some financial drawbacks to these products but if you love the idea of swimming in March or October (or year round in some places) you might be able to overlook these issues.

Go Solar! SunHeater manufactures a heating system using the sun's energy to heat your pool that attaches to your filter. This company claims that this product will raise your water temperature by 10 degrees Fahrenheit or more during the swimming season. This is a bit of a stretch however, because this is under ideal conditions where you have 100% sun all day. A cloudy day will not come close to this claim. My experience has found this to be a good product under ideal conditions with an average temperature rise of about 6 degrees. This product will cost you around $200. If you decide to go with this product I suggest you consider installing it on a rack or your roof where it will receive the greatest amount of sunlight. You will have to purchase some extra long hoses and a mounting kit ($25-$50 extra) but you will be getting the most from the suns rays which will be worth it in the long run.

Try out a sun dome. This product heats your pool by creating a greenhouse effect, letting less heat escape into the air.  I have found that this product does indeed retain more heat and also keeps fewer bugs, plants and pollen from blowing into the pool, reducing chemical costs. One of the major negatives are that you have to remove the vinyl dome whenever there are winds forecast for 30 miles per hour or greater. It also can be cumbersome to put back on and take off. The ideal use of this product is in combination with a small natural gas heater. This will allow you to use your pool in cooler months as the heat provided by the heater will remain trapped under the dome longer and at the same time you will be lowering natural gas usage.

Reap the benefits of using a good solar pool cover. Out of all the products that will help you heat your pool this product has the greatest value relative to cost. When you are attempting to heat your pool by any of the means listed above your number one enemy is night time air temperature. The largest amount of heat is lost along the water surface into the cool air during the night. In order to retain the heat that you have created during the day via solar or mechanical means, it is important to attempt to trap as much heat as possible at night with a solar blanket. The solar blanket will help insulate your pool creating a barrier between the cold night air and the warmer water beneath it. They are generally priced according to their thickness and costing anywhere from $60 to $250 dollars.

Try to be realistic about how often you actually use your pool in the summer before making any large purchases to extend your swimming season. Remember that if you are heating your pool during cooler months, the water may be warmer, but the outside cooler air can end up being a deterrent when you get out. So you might end up actually using your pool less after you've already spent a lot of money, then using it more.