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Propane, Electric or Solar: Which is best for your pool?
In the northeast, if you have or want a swimming pool you will need a heating system to make the most of the season. Without a pool heating system, the average swimming season here is about two months; with one, you will add an extra three months to enjoy your pool!
Deciding which type of pool heating you should purchase will be based on your individual needs and wants. Here are a few things to consider:
- Type of pool – do you have an in-ground or above-ground;
- Size of the pool;
- Amount of shade on the pool during the day.
Once you have answered these questions, then you need to review the positive and negative attributes of the types of pool heaters available. Basically there are three types on the market: Propane or Natural Gas heating, Electric Heat Pump or Solar energy heating.
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Propane or Natural Gas Pool Heating Systems – as the name suggests, Propane or Natural gas is ignited and water is pumped in from the pool and warmed over the flame. A propane installation will run anywhere from $2,800.00 - $5,200.00. However, the cost of both Propane and Natural Gas has tripled in price over the past five years. The current annual cost for fuel and maintenance is from $1,500 - $5,000. Over a fifteen year projection, the cost mounts to a staggering $22,500 – $75,000 in fuel, not including any adjustment for fuel price increases.
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Electric Heat Pump – basically this is the reverse of an air conditioner, the Heat pump using the outside air to heat up the internal Freon coils. Water from the pool is pumped past the heated coils and returned to the pool. You need to be sure and get a large enough Heat Pump based on the size of your pool as an undersized unit will work constantly and not heat well. A typical installation will cost from $3,500.00 - $7,500.00, with an annual electrical and maintenance cost of $1,000 - $3,000.
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Solar Pool Heating – Solar panels are affixed to a roof or ground mounted. Water is pumped from the pool through the panels, heated by the sun and then returned to the pool. For the most part, the installation will run from $4,000 - $7,000 +/-, with an annual maintenance cost of $0.00 - $50.00!
So which do you choose? Purely from a cost analysis, Solar Heating is the only way to go. After the initial installation cost, any maintenance costs are minimal, the sun’s energy is free, and the panels will extend your swimming season from two months to five. If you factor in any environmental impact, you cannot beat solar energy as the all around winning solution.
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Residential 
