HP or NG pool heater

[rk05]

So, our contract currently has a HP as our sourse of heat but being on here and reading has got me thinking about changing to a NG heater.

If I'm correct I found that to convert $ CCF of gas to Therms I divide $CCF/1.036=Therms. Our current rate for NG is $0.3546 and the cost per Therm would be $0.3422. Does that sound correct?

Our pool is 32x16 (7' deep to 3.5') so around 17,000 gallons.

We normally have a hot humid summer from July to September so I see the heater being used when we open it (May,June) and then maybe into late October. We don't have an automatic cover and don't plan on putting one in but may use the solar cover (depends on the hassel to put it on).

Any thoughts on this?

 

[ajw22]

You will find links to some heating calculators here...

Calculators - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Run your numbers through the Pentair Heat Pump calculator for a cost comparison.

 

[l1ltaral1l]

I was (am) going through this same debate also. From the calculator shared above, I would need two HP units. This might be helpful (and recent) to read through: Heat pump dealers for direct purchase?

 

[rk05]

When I did Pentair HP calculator I would save about $300 vs NG. I'm not sure about the ambient air temperatures (seem low) they have for our area.

If we went NG would it be better to go say 400btu vs 200btu heater? I know the larger one will heat quicker but then I may have to increase my meter to do so.

Of you who have a NG heater do you use it more as a point source heater (turn it on when you want to use the pool) or keep it on a much lower temp to maintain the temp (to say 80F) then increase it to the desired temp when you want to swim? I know our Northern climate will be different for those of you in the South.

 

[ajw22]

Of you who have a NG heater do you use it more as a point source heater (turn it on when you want to use the pool) or keep it on a much lower temp to maintain the temp (to say 80F) then increase it to the desired temp when you want to swim? I know our Northern climate will be different for those of you in the South.

It is all about the time it will take whatever heater you get to heat the water from current temperature to the desired temperature.

1 BTU will heat 1 lb of water 1 degree in an hour.

The more BTUs you have the faster the water will heat. A 200K BTU heater will heat your 17K pool about 1 degree an hour. A 400K heater will heat the pool about 2.5 degrees an hour. Having a cover will help in reducing heat loss and quicker heating.