What to use for a Pool Heater in Queen Creek/SanTan Valley (Phoenix: vacation home)

[flamingsnowbird]

We have an inground pool in Queen Creek/SanTan Valley and are trying to decide the best route to go as far as pool heating during winter months. Solar Heating, Gas Heating, Electric Heat Pumps. The trouble with Natural Gas Heating is that there is no service on the property. This would entail an expensive install. I'm leaning more towards an Electric Heat Pump. Does anyone have feedback on Electric Heat Pumps? Where would be the best place to buy one? We would only be heating the pool during the week/weeks of use. Thanks

[dura]

What water temperature is comfortable for you for swimming? Is this for a vacation home or yearlong residence?

Solar gets as hot as the sun allows, which may be too cold in winter and too warm in summer. It could take up more room than you might prefer, and it can freeze here in winter. You should also consider the potential for leaks, and whether your roof will need replacement in X years, if you're thinking of installing the solar system on your roof.

Gas heating can be expensive. Factor in the cost to get service to the property, and you might find it cost prohibitive, but gas heating in winter could be the best choice, if you like warm water regardless of ambient air temperature and have the funds to pay for the expense.

Electric heat pumps typically won't get you warm water all winter. The nights get fairly cool, and the heat pump in those conditions might maintain the water temperature overnight if you are lucky. If you want to extend the swimming season, say from the end of March to the beginning of November, then a heat pump can be a good choice.

It would help to have a pool cover whatever your choice, but remember that getting out of a warm pool, especially in cool temperatures, is not necessarily a pleasant experience and could affect whether you would actually use the heated pool. Maybe invest in a heat lamp too.

The thing about heating water... it takes a while and is not linear. In winter with a cold pool, you typically don't flip on the heater, wait a day, and then swim, assuming you have say a 15K pool or larger. Plus, the warmer the water, the longer it takes to get that extra couple of degrees.

With an electric heat pump, it could take a week to get the water to say 90°F only to have the weather turn uncooperative. The pool can lose 6 or 7 degrees overnight because it is too cold for the heat pump to have any measurable effect, as heat pumps are temperature dependent. If you get a heat pump, consider one with a defrost mode.

Gas could heat the pool all winter, and heat it faster than a heat pump, as you can run the unit 24/7 independent of temperature, if you can afford it. Think about whether you will actually use the pool enough in winter to justify the cost. Solar, while seemingly good in concept, means plenty of 'collectors' and typically is not an all year solution.

It sounds like you might be vacationing here in winter and want to swim during that time. Pool water in winter can get down to 55°F so with an electric heat pump you would need a week of 70°F plus to raise the pool water roughly 4 to 5 degrees per day on average.

The water will warm faster at the beginning, and then the rate of increase slows as the water gets warmer. You will also be fighting against overnight loss so don't forget the pool cover. If swimming on vacation is your thing, you might consider a day visit to a resort instead.

If you have your heart set on swimming in your own pool while vacationing here in winter, gas fits that model better. If you are a yearlong resident, you'll get plenty of swimming in during the summer, so extending the season with an electric heat pump fits that model better.

Consider solar instead of a heat pump if you want to extend the season, but read up on it first, and remember an electric heat pump needs its own circuit and switch.

You might be able to score a deal on Craigslist but just beware. Caveats, scammers, and all that, but if you find a decent unit, you might save a bundle.

My opinions, worth the price paid. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[kdog]

Wow, lots of really good information from Dura there. Our pool is about 17K sq/ft, and we heat it with a 400K BTU gas heater. It will heat the pool to 88F or so in one day. However we do have an automatic pool cover. Without the cover I'm sure it would take longer. We'll typically only do that one or twice a winter as a treat when we have family in town for a holiday. We'll probably blow $100 on gas or more to do it, but heck you can spend that on a bottle of wine. Heating all winter would be too expensive. We'll also use the heater once in the spring to get the swim season started. Once it warms up, the cover keeps it warm for the entire season. We have an integrated spa as well that we do use all year round. That heats in under an hour with that giant heater. I really like the heater, but I can see your issue with the gas feed. You can also power the heater with propane which might be worth thinking about in your case.

[flamingsnowbird]

Thanks for the great info!! It is our vacation home and would only be heating the water when we're there. I would guess we'd want the temp around 85 F. I think we'll definitely get the pool cover to keep the heat in. Does anyone know where the best place to get a pool cover in the Phoenix area. We're in Queen Creek.

[motormaker]

Dang kdog, the 17k sq ft you mention is that your pools surface area? If so, it must be on large pool.