Heaters For Spa Pools
Spa pools are mainly used for relaxation purposes and therefore it is usual to have a heating system installed with them. Spa pool heaters not only provide a comfortable soothing experience that is perfect for unwinding after a long day, they also extend the season of the spa pool so that they can still be used during a cold weather.
The normal range to which such a pool is heated is 97 to 102 degrees. This is considerably higher than the normal temperature of a swimming pool but spas are much smaller, typically not more than eight square feet and less than four feet deep. As a result the requirements for a heating system are less than those of a swimming pool.
There are four main types of spa pool heaters that are available today. The most popular ones are gas heaters which use propane gas or natural gas to heat spa pools. Swimming pool heaters like the Raypak 2100, Raypack Millivolt and Laars Lite can also be used to heat spa pools. In a gas heater the water is channeled through a heat exchanger and then back to the pool. An oil fired heater is very similar but uses diesel as the energy source. These heaters (particularly propane) can be expensive to install and run but may appropriate if you already have the fuel available on-site for domestic heating.
Another type of spa pool heater is the electric heater. These heaters heat the water more slowly than gas heaters and are not cheap to run. Because of this, it is only advisable to use electric heaters on smaller pools to save on the heating costs. Electric heaters work in much the same way as gas heaters in that they heat the water directly.
Because they minimize costs and have green credentials spa pool heaters that are more environmentally friendly are becoming popular. Among these green heaters are the solar heater and heat pump. Solar heaters gain heat from the sun through solar panels and are controlled by a time clock and thermostats. A compromise is to use these in conjunction with some other type of heater to reduce the fuel used by that heater. Heat pumps do not actually generate heat they "pump" it from the surrounding air into the water. They are very energy efficient but they take a long time to heat the water and are reliant on the warmth of surrounding air.
With so many options for a spa pool heater nowadays, anyone can choose a suitable heater or perhaps a combination that will be appropriate for their budget and needs.
The normal range to which such a pool is heated is 97 to 102 degrees. This is considerably higher than the normal temperature of a swimming pool but spas are much smaller, typically not more than eight square feet and less than four feet deep. As a result the requirements for a heating system are less than those of a swimming pool.
There are four main types of spa pool heaters that are available today. The most popular ones are gas heaters which use propane gas or natural gas to heat spa pools. Swimming pool heaters like the Raypak 2100, Raypack Millivolt and Laars Lite can also be used to heat spa pools. In a gas heater the water is channeled through a heat exchanger and then back to the pool. An oil fired heater is very similar but uses diesel as the energy source. These heaters (particularly propane) can be expensive to install and run but may appropriate if you already have the fuel available on-site for domestic heating.
Another type of spa pool heater is the electric heater. These heaters heat the water more slowly than gas heaters and are not cheap to run. Because of this, it is only advisable to use electric heaters on smaller pools to save on the heating costs. Electric heaters work in much the same way as gas heaters in that they heat the water directly.
Because they minimize costs and have green credentials spa pool heaters that are more environmentally friendly are becoming popular. Among these green heaters are the solar heater and heat pump. Solar heaters gain heat from the sun through solar panels and are controlled by a time clock and thermostats. A compromise is to use these in conjunction with some other type of heater to reduce the fuel used by that heater. Heat pumps do not actually generate heat they "pump" it from the surrounding air into the water. They are very energy efficient but they take a long time to heat the water and are reliant on the warmth of surrounding air.
With so many options for a spa pool heater nowadays, anyone can choose a suitable heater or perhaps a combination that will be appropriate for their budget and needs.
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