Pool Heating in Arizona...What Are My Options?

Many Arizona pool owners are shocked to learn that in spite of our warm weather, most unheated swimming pools are only warm for about three to four months of the year. Surprisingly, unheated pools in the Phoenix area are typically above 80 degrees from June to mid-September. This is due to the fact that our air is very dry and for much of the year the nights cool off, causing nocturnal heat losses in the pool. Sun worshipers move here from colder climates expecting to be swimming year round, and find themselves looking at the pool more than swimming in it.

When choosing a method of heating a swimming pool, Arizona pool owners have three basic ways to get the job done:

Arizona pool owners can choose from several pool heating options.

Gas Heating

One proven pool heating method that has been used for decades by builders is to install a gas boiler. Gas boilers are quite effective and can have a relatively low installation cost. (Assuming the gas is available and near the unit.) However, this method is the most expensive to operate. The average size gas-heated swimming pool costs $500 to $1,000 per month to operate. Due to this high operation cost, most people that have gas heaters shut them off and rarely use them to heat the pool.

Gas boilers can be somewhat affordable to operate with spas. When heating a spa, most people turn them on just before getting in and shut them off right afterwards. With an operating cost of $7.00/ hour, it's important to shut them off when finished. Their ability to heat fast and heat in very cold weather makes them good for that New Year's Eve dip in the hot tub.

High Efficiency Heat Pumps

A good alternative to gas heating is a high efficiency electric heat pump. The advantage of the heat pump method is that it can heat a pool/spa for about 25% of the operating cost of a gas heater. The average size pool heated by a heat pump costs about $125 to $250 per month to operate.

Heat pumps are substantially more efficient than gas heaters because they gather the heat from the air rather than the electricity that runs them. That being said, it's important to choose a heat pump with care. Many brands and models will only operate in temperatures above 50 degrees. If year-round heating is the goal, it's important to select a unit that operates at temperatures as low as the mid-30's.

Solar Pool Heating

The most affordable way to heat a swimming pool is with a solar pool heating system. Solar pool heating systems have a low initial investment amount, are free to operate, and qualify for a $1,000 Arizona State income tax credit. In the Phoenix area, a properly sized solar system will provide about a nine-month swim season with water temperatures above 80 degrees. Swimmers can start swimming in warm water about March 1st and swim to the end of November (or in some years early December).

Solar pool heating technology has been widely used all around the world, as well as in Arizona, for over thirty years. Due to the fact that these systems have only a few moving parts, they require very little maintenance and are quite reliable.

In applications where year-round heating is required, the solar pool heater can be installed in combination with a secondary gas heater or high efficiency heat pump. By diverting the pool water through the solar panels first and pre-heating the secondary heater, the gas heater or heat pump runs as little as possible throughout the winter months. This hybrid application can achieve the absolute lowest cost method for year-round pool heating.

When choosing a pool heating system, it is always best to consult with a professional in the industry. By explaining your usage patterns, temperature expectations and budgetary priorities, your pool heating specialist can help you choose the system that is right for you.

by Mark Walters

Heliocol West

markonesolar@hotmail.com

602-315-1993

www.heliocolwest.com

www.markonesolar.com