New Heater Options

[kramer]

Saw a recent similar post, but didn't want to hijack the OP's thread. Facing a similar dilemma though in the mid-Atlantic region. We've had a pool for 9 years, no heater at all. In the beginning, my wife and I just dealt with the cold water. Having our own house with our own pool took the edge right off. As it became old hat, I swam less because the water was just too cold. Then the kids came. They're now 2 and 5. Getting them ready for swimming is like a 30 minute debacle with the suits, swim diapers, sunscreen, towels, toys, goggles, etc. Then they want to get out after 10 minutes because the water is too cold. We typically open in mid-May and close the second week of September, but May and most of June are nearly pointless because the water is too cold, even with the pool in direct sunlight all day. And when guests come over, it's disappointing to watch them shiver the whole time. So we're getting a heater. I called two installers, told them our situation, and naturally they recommended two different things . . . a Rheem NG heater and a Thermeau heat pump. I have NG available, but we would need to dig a trench and run a new gas line. Neither installer will do it, and one said a plumber might charge $2,000, plus I need to get my utility provider to come out and install a new gas valve and meter, and that could take forever. He's the one who recommended the HP, and he also said he would run the electrical. I know a HP won't extend my season into April and October, but I am generally OK with that because we're not going to swim in sweatshirt weather without a spa on the pool, and those times of year are busy with school and other activities. But a HP would "extend" my season into May and even June since we barely use the pool then as things are now. What I can't figure is why the other installer recommended an NG heater so strongly, especially if he wasn't running the gas line. The HP guy said he sees fewer maintenance issues with HP heater. Something about few sensors and switches that can go bad, and he said HP heaters seem to attract fewer critter nests. Anyway, I always come here for advice. Sorry for the long post. What do you all think? Should I go with the HP? And is a solar cover an absolute necessity? I know nothing about those . . .

 

[1poolman1]

Saw a recent similar post, but didn't want to hijack the OP's thread. Facing a similar dilemma though in the mid-Atlantic region. We've had a pool for 9 years, no heater at all. In the beginning, my wife and I just dealt with the cold water. Having our own house with our own pool took the edge right off. As it became old hat, I swam less because the water was just too cold. Then the kids came. They're now 2 and 5. Getting them ready for swimming is like a 30 minute debacle with the suits, swim diapers, sunscreen, towels, toys, goggles, etc. Then they want to get out after 10 minutes because the water is too cold. We typically open in mid-May and close the second week of September, but May and most of June are nearly pointless because the water is too cold, even with the pool in direct sunlight all day. And when guests come over, it's disappointing to watch them shiver the whole time. So we're getting a heater. I called two installers, told them our situation, and naturally they recommended two different things . . . a Rheem NG heater and a Thermeau heat pump. I have NG available, but we would need to dig a trench and run a new gas line. Neither installer will do it, and one said a plumber might charge $2,000, plus I need to get my utility provider to come out and install a new gas valve and meter, and that could take forever. He's the one who recommended the HP, and he also said he would run the electrical. I know a HP won't extend my season into April and October, but I am generally OK with that because we're not going to swim in sweatshirt weather without a spa on the pool, and those times of year are busy with school and other activities. But a HP would "extend" my season into May and even June since we barely use the pool then as things are now. What I can't figure is why the other installer recommended an NG heater so strongly, especially if he wasn't running the gas line. The HP guy said he sees fewer maintenance issues with HP heater. Something about few sensors and switches that can go bad, and he said HP heaters seem to attract fewer critter nests. Anyway, I always come here for advice. Sorry for the long post. What do you all think? Should I go with the HP? And is a solar cover an absolute necessity? I know nothing about those . . .

Gas heater works faster, as you can get a 400K btu unit as opposed to the largest HP of 140-150K or so. That equates to how fast the pool will heat. About 2 degrees an hour for gas, .5 for HP.
Gas heater works regardless of atmospheric conditions. Heat pump can only take what heat is available in the air and is also humidity based.
Gas heaters are, usually, easier to get repaired as there are far more people capable to work on them than are both familiar with a pool HP and licensed and certified to work with the refrigerants used in a HP.
Those are the basic differences.

 

[ajw22]

Find out who in your local area does warranty and service on that Thermeau heat pump. Lots of folks have found out no one in their area wants to work on a pool heat pump.

Which Rheem NG heater was proposed? Digital model or Avia?

Pool & Spa Heaters - Rheem Pool & Spa Solutions - Rheem Manufacturing Company

Rheem pool heaters provide year-round comfort for your pool or spa and are unmatched in features and benefits. They are designed to make your pool or spa the most comfortable place on earth.

www.rheem.com

Do you have a pool cover? You lose much of the effectiveness of a HP if your pool is not covered overnight and you lose the heat to the cold night air. The HP does not have the power to reheat the pool rapidly after night cooling, while the NG gas heater does.

Heat pumps are typically more expensive then a NG heater. So that offsets some of the cost of running the NG line. And with a HP you need an electrician to run 50 amp 240V service to the pool equipment pad. All in the costs will be about the same.

And with all in costs about the same you will have a much better pool heating experience with a NG heater.

Get the gas.