Hello, i’ve posted here before and I’m now Underway in starting my install. I am installing a doughboy palm shore 21 x 41 above ground pool within wall steps and a deep end. I was planning on just installing this with a filter but the talk about a heater has come up and everyone I talk to has one. So much so that I don’t even know what a normal temperature would be without it in my area. I’m in North Jersey. I have to pull the permit soon and I’m trying to figure out if I should put a heater on it or not. The area where the pool is going is very well open and has sun most of the day. I intend on using a solar cover. I like the water in the mid to high 70s and was just curious if anyone has any experience of whether it Will be that warm without a heater. If not, what’s my best choices as far as money is concerned. I do not have propane or natural gas. I’m not opposed to putting a propane tank in if it makes sense to do so but I’m not sure it’s worth it for my situation. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Heater or no?
- Thread starter Player92my3
- Start date
- May 20, 2020
- 1,001
- Pool Size
- 13600
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Solaxx (Saltron) Reliant / Purechlor R5
I’m further north than you. I use a solar cover, and since last year I also have a (undersized) solar panel for a bit of extra heat.
My pool is currently at 73 degrees, and it’s very early. Last year I hit 76 degrees May 17. June temps ranged from 75-90. July, 79-87. I left the cover off some nights in July so it didn’t get too warm. 80s throughout August. Still 77 on September 17. Still 71 on September 30, after which I let the temperature drop for closing.
If you’re OK with your swim season just being mid-to-late May to September, and you like water in the 70s, a heater is probably not necessary. If you have the room, though, I do recommend the solar panels. Even though mine are undersized, I believe they typically keep my temps about 5 above where they’d otherwise be.
My pool is currently at 73 degrees, and it’s very early. Last year I hit 76 degrees May 17. June temps ranged from 75-90. July, 79-87. I left the cover off some nights in July so it didn’t get too warm. 80s throughout August. Still 77 on September 17. Still 71 on September 30, after which I let the temperature drop for closing.
If you’re OK with your swim season just being mid-to-late May to September, and you like water in the 70s, a heater is probably not necessary. If you have the room, though, I do recommend the solar panels. Even though mine are undersized, I believe they typically keep my temps about 5 above where they’d otherwise be.
I'd say do you have a family that prefers warmer water or do you plan to entertain? I ended up purchasing a gas heater to extend the season. It's great for providing a consistent temperature and I was surprised the cost to operate was actually low if you use it wisely. This week is in the 80s here in Northern Ohio and on Tuesday the pool water temp was barely 55 degrees. With the heater, I was able to quickly get it to 85 degrees by end of day which makes my kids extremely happy! There is no way my water temp would have risen above 70 this week before the weather turns back to low to mid 60s since my pool is partially shaded.
Thanks guys.
Magiteck: I looked into solar panels but it might be tough with my planned deck setup and placement. Your numbers are what I as looking for. I talked to local people but they never had the pool open without the heater on so there was no baseline.
Toolerb50: currently it’s just my fiancé and I. She loves to swim so it’s mostly for her. Her aunt had an unheated Inground that she would swim in and it was typically in the low 70s. Sure we will probably have people over but the pool is more for us. What’s the number that’s affordable? I don’t want to assume one thing or the other. My next door neighbor says he keeps his at 80-82 with propane and solar cover. He says it’s about $200 a month. I’m also putting a hot tub in at the same time so that’s a tad too much each month on top of everything else. 50-100 maybe I could see.
Thanks for the input. I am new to this as I’ve only had small Walmart pools haha.
Magiteck: I looked into solar panels but it might be tough with my planned deck setup and placement. Your numbers are what I as looking for. I talked to local people but they never had the pool open without the heater on so there was no baseline.
Toolerb50: currently it’s just my fiancé and I. She loves to swim so it’s mostly for her. Her aunt had an unheated Inground that she would swim in and it was typically in the low 70s. Sure we will probably have people over but the pool is more for us. What’s the number that’s affordable? I don’t want to assume one thing or the other. My next door neighbor says he keeps his at 80-82 with propane and solar cover. He says it’s about $200 a month. I’m also putting a hot tub in at the same time so that’s a tad too much each month on top of everything else. 50-100 maybe I could see.
Thanks for the input. I am new to this as I’ve only had small Walmart pools haha.
For us, affordable is < $100 here in northern Ohio but I only run mine when we anticipate swim days firing it up first thing in the morning via a mobile app. Natural gas is cheap here (for now) and my highest bills during swim season are around $90 at start/ending months and $70 in the middle.
Also, you mentioned a solar cover and one thing to note a cover really doesn't heat the pool and instead will do a better job at keeping the existing heat from escaping. They are also good and slowing down chemical loss from evaporation.
Also, you mentioned a solar cover and one thing to note a cover really doesn't heat the pool and instead will do a better job at keeping the existing heat from escaping. They are also good and slowing down chemical loss from evaporation.
I'm in Westchester so same-ish weather conditions.
I don't have a heater and the pool will get up to 85-90 by July. Suns on it from 8am-8pm. This is my 4th season here and I've never thought to have one yet (maybe when kids are older to extend season)
Obviously not a 1:1 comparison, but just my experience!
I don't have a heater and the pool will get up to 85-90 by July. Suns on it from 8am-8pm. This is my 4th season here and I've never thought to have one yet (maybe when kids are older to extend season)
Obviously not a 1:1 comparison, but just my experience!
Yeah that price doesn’t seem bad. I like the idea of extending the swim season. I would have loved to jump in after my day yesterday haha. What brand/model do you have? I’ll need a propane version if I decide to do it. I don’t have propane currently so I would need to get a tank and deal with a new company.
That’s exactly the info I’m looking for. It has become very apparent that in my area people tend to just buy them without knowing if they need them or not. I’m on the fence of putting one in or not putting one in since I would need to do it on the permit now. I’m thinking I want an extra circuit out and leave them on the slab but maybe not pulling in yet. I’m not sure what the best bet is. It sounds like they don’t last very long, maybe 10 years. So I don’t wanna buy one and not use it for a year or two.
linda1
0
I'm 73 and with old joints and I won't get in the pool unless the water is in the mid 80's. We have both a natural gas heater and solar panels and solar cover. We found that the solar panels work well to help keep the water temperature where we want it. Early in the season we need to use the gas heater along with solar to get the temperature up and then the solar and solar cover to keep it up. We have a gas well on our farm so the gas is free.
I have a Raypak 156a heater
Above Ground – Raypak
Raypak Pool & Spa, Residential and Commercial Hydronic Products -
www.raypak.com
I appreciate the info. That’s alittle how I feel too (only 25 years old) but I’m picky haha. I haven’t broken ground yet som from your suggestions and a few others, maybe I should find a way to incorporate solar panels for heating. Thanks.
- May 20, 2020
- 1,001
- Pool Size
- 13600
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Solaxx (Saltron) Reliant / Purechlor R5
If you can share a diagram and/or some pictures of your yard/pool area, we might be able to give you some placement ideas.
I have mine on a wooden rack I built beside my pool, for optimal sun exposure.
That’s not a bad idea. I like the cover reel. I’m going to start a build thread here soon. I just picked up a full size backhoe last night to start the excavation.If you can share a diagram and/or some pictures of your yard/pool area, we might be able to give you some placement ideas.
I have mine on a wooden rack I built beside my pool, for optimal sun exposure.
View attachment 411046
- Jul 4, 2012
- 801
- Pool Size
- 21000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
My wife and kids prefer the water temp to be upper 80s (90 is ideal for my wife) so I couldn't live without a heater. Well, yes I can because we lived without one first few seasons I had a pool (inherited with house) but not any longer.
Cost of heating is not that high if you do it right, which is get the biggest BTU heater you can afford. Mine heats my 21k gallon pool about 2 degrees per hour so I can pretty much heat on demand rather than having to maintain on days we don't swim. Turn on heat Saturday morning around 8am and I'm 8-10 degrees warmer by noon. Didn't pay close attention but I can't recall a summer gas bill even sniffing $100, though natural gas is going to cost more this summer.
The only thing that gives me pause on a rec to you is that you are good with water temps in the 70s so may be worth seeing how things go this season with just a solar cover and then revisit.
ETA: Just saw that you don't have natural gas or propane readily available and I have no idea on the cost of getting a propane tank so, unless getting that stuff all installed with your build is significantly cheaper than doing it a la carte a year from now I'd wait since you are good with temps in 70s.
Cost of heating is not that high if you do it right, which is get the biggest BTU heater you can afford. Mine heats my 21k gallon pool about 2 degrees per hour so I can pretty much heat on demand rather than having to maintain on days we don't swim. Turn on heat Saturday morning around 8am and I'm 8-10 degrees warmer by noon. Didn't pay close attention but I can't recall a summer gas bill even sniffing $100, though natural gas is going to cost more this summer.
The only thing that gives me pause on a rec to you is that you are good with water temps in the 70s so may be worth seeing how things go this season with just a solar cover and then revisit.
ETA: Just saw that you don't have natural gas or propane readily available and I have no idea on the cost of getting a propane tank so, unless getting that stuff all installed with your build is significantly cheaper than doing it a la carte a year from now I'd wait since you are good with temps in 70s.
Yes, I am very torn. I think at this point I might wire for a propane heater but not buy one or do the tank. Installing the heater later shouldn't be too difficult then. I’d love one but with the prices by me now it will be tough. I debated on electric heat pump. Not sure if others have had better luck with them.
- Jul 4, 2012
- 801
- Pool Size
- 21000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
I think that's a good plan. No direct experience with a heat pump, but pretty sure they lose effectiveness below certain temps so may not work as well as gas when it comes to extending the season. Pros/cons of gas vs heat pump is pretty common topic so should be lots of historical threads you'll find if you do a search.