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Swimming For many upscale homeowners, a swimming pool is a "must" for entertaining, recreation, or just relaxing. They're especially desirable in the South and Southwest.
If a pool is part of your customer's dreams, it's important to ensure that the water temperature can be maintained at a comfortable level-neither too cold nor too hot. Propane pool and spa heaters are the answer. They're convenient, cost-effective, and dependable.
The buyer of a propane-fueled home can have a swimming pool and know that there is a convenient way to heat the water to a comfortable temperature. Propane swimming pool heaters burn gas in a combustion chamber, and the heat is transferred to the pool water. They can easily maintain any desired water temperature, regardless of the weather, and can also be used for a spa or hot tub. A 250,000 Btu/hr swimming pool heater with an efficiency of 90 percent is sufficient to heat a 700-square-foot pool in a moderate climate. Some general characteristics and typical costs of propane pool heaters, which can be installed above- or underground, are listed belo w: Efficiencies ranging from 70 to 90 percent. Temperature accuracy within 1°F. Five-year service life. Warranties of from one to five years, usually only on parts. System cost for a 15- by 30-foot pool ranging from $1000 to $1500. Installation cost of $150 to $850.
Because of the high operating temperature inside a gas heater, frequent maintenance is required, and major repairs can be costly, but this is partially offset by the unit's overall efficiency.
Pool Heater Efficiency
The efficiency of propane pool heaters range from 70-90 percent, but the efficiency of the entire pool system is also important. Methods suggested by the National Spa and Pool Institute to increase the efficiency of the overall pool system include the following: | Reduce Heat Loss | Other Energy Saving Tips | | Use a pool cover | Clean filters only when necessary | | Correct any leaks and minimize water splashed out of the pool to reduce energy to heat the cold replacement water | Avoid excessive use of the circulation pumps - follow the recommended circulation times to keep the water clean, clear, and safe | | Set the pool thermostat to 78°F | Inspect automatic pool cleaners | | Add windbreaks around the pool | Install energy efficiency pump motors with a time clock | | | Properly maintain your pool to maximize the useful life of the water |
Spa/Hot Tub Heaters
Spa and hot tub heaters can range in size from as small as 5,000 Btu/hr to 40,000 Btu/hr. A 25,000 Btu/hr spa heater running at 80 percent efficiency would produce 20,000 Btu/hr and is suitable for an eight-foot diameter hot tub in a mild climate.
Propane spa heaters cost upwards of $700, depending on Btu capacity and spa size.
Spa/Hot Tub Heater Efficiency
The efficiency of a standard propane spa heater is around 80 percent, but the efficiency of the entire spa system is more important. A propane spa heater requires 60-240 therms per year (one therm = 100,000 Btu), in addition to as much as 1,000 kWh per year of electricity to run the pumps. The National Spa and Pool Institute suggests several things a homebuilder and/or buyer can do to increase the efficiency of the spa system: | Reduce Heat Loss | Other Energy Saving Tips | | Lower the spa heater thermostat to 102°F | Drain the spa only when necessary to minimize reheating the whole spa | | Add windbreaks around the spa | Turn the thermostat down even more if no one will be using it for a week or more | | Use a foam cover with good insulation qualities | Reduce the hours of operation of intermittent filtration pump cycles | | Avoid wasting water to reduce energy to heat the cold replacement water | Purchase an energy efficient spa (better insulation around and under the spa, snugly fitting foam cover with good insulation qualities, separate pumps for circulation and jetting action, preheated air for jets) | | Add a floating blanket under the cover | |
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