Many people in Arizona—and particularly in southern Arizona—have pools on their property. But given how warm it stays in Arizona most of the year, is it really necessary to heat the pool?
If you plan to use your pool all year round, then yes, you’re going to want to make the investment in heating equipment for the pool. In December and January, it can get down into the 40s in some circumstances, so if you plan to use your pool all year long, you’re definitely going to want to invest in a pool house, a pool heater, heated towel storage areas or contained structures for the swimming area. This will ensure you’re able to continue having fun with your pool while staying comfortable at all times of the year.
Let’s take a look at some of the factors you’ll need to take into account before proceeding with heated pool installation in Tucson, AZ.
Type of pool heater
There are several types of pool heaters available, each of which has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Gas heaters, such as those that run on propane or natural gas, will help you heat your pool faster than other types of heaters, but they will also have the highest running cost associated with them. There are heat pumps that will give you much cheaper operation, but they are also much slower to heat the entire pool. Solar will also be a slower means of heating your pool, but it will also be less expensive, as the only cost is running the circulation pump, which you’d be doing anyway.
You’ll also need to consider the size of the heater you’ll use on your pool. The best way to calculate heater sizing is by using the following formula: Pool gallons x 8.3 x desired temperature rise / 24 hours = heater BTU requirement.
Costs of installation
We’ve touched a bit already on the costs associated with running the different types of pool heaters, but what about the costs of installation?
Gas heaters always need to be installed by professional pool contractors, as they involve the installation of gas plumbing, PVC plumbing, venting and electrical wiring. Installing a brand-new gas pool heater will always cost more than replacing an existing one, as there is more infrastructure to install.
Heat pumps may require the services of a professional electrician to make sure you have the power supply necessary to operate them. The heater must be installed on a solid, level surface with a connection to the pipe coming out of the pool filter and the pipe that runs back into the pool. Most companies will charge about the same for a heat pump as a gas heater.
Solar heaters are possibly the easiest kind of heater to install, though larger solar systems might take a bit more time to complete. If performed by a contractor, the work can be less expensive than the other two kinds of heater installation.
For more information about heated pool installation in Tucson, AZ, contact Arizona Pool & Pond Company today.