Propane Pool Heater

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Nate4429

Nate4429

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2019
112
Marysville, Wa
I went to the local pool place today and he told me that a Solar Pool Heater here in Washington is a waste of money and that I need a real pool heater. Not sure what I think of this guy yet but he had some good points. He’s a salesman at heart ??

So I would like to research propane pool heaters since propane is already plumbed to the pool equipment.

1)Questions are how much are they for a good one but not top end unless it’s that much more amazing?

2)Is there a way to know how much it will cost monthly/hourly based on run time and propane price? 36,000 gallon pool with solar cover. More specs in signature.

3)Anything else I need to know about a propane pool heater?

Thanks! ?
 
Basic question is are you trying to extend your season? If so, solar and heat pumps won't do much. NG and propane will. You can get a Jandy 400btu propane heater for under $3k. Others are under $2k. It will heat your pool probably good for a degree per hour (based on many factors). I have NG and leave the heater off unless I am going swimming and it can raise the temp 15 degrees easily if put on in the morning by the time I get home. My NG costs @ $4/hour to run. Propane is more.

Others on here are better figuring out the exact btu's needed to increase your water.
 
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It takes 1 BTU to raise 1 pound of water 1 degree F. With perfect heat transfer.

With an 80% efficiency, your 36000 gallon pool will take 375000 BTU's to raise your pool temperature by 1 degree F.
One gallon of propane has 91,502 BTUs. So you will use ~4 gallons of propane per hour through a 400K propane heater to raise your pool water temperature by ~1 deg F.
 
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The salesman is kinda right. You have a mild enough climate, but your latitude and number of sunny days is against you. However, IF you have enough real estate, and enough clear southern sky view, you can add enough solar panels to add a pretty good amount of heat on sunny days. You average about 150 sunny days a year where you are, so that could be a problem.
 
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cfherrman said:
How come a heat pump won't extend the season? Too much money?
Click to expand...

They get exponentially less efficient as the temp and humidity drops. On a good day they are good for only a few degrees per day of temperature rise. On cold days they can't keep up with heat loss.
 
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This is the BTU output curve for a heat pump. They shutoff when air temp is 50F.

You get about 25% of the heating of a 400K gas heater when air temp is 60F.

Heat Pump Performance

Heat Pump Performance

Pentair Ultratemp Heat Pump BTU Output by OAT
 
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Ok...I think I follow all this ? so it’s expensive. But if we want to bring it up to say 75 from 60 it will cost me roughly $180. Right? And then if it’s getting down to the 50’s still at night how fast does it loose heat with a solar cover on it?

and What have you guys found to be the most efficient way to run a heater than so it’s not running all the time? Thanks!
 

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Nate4429 said:
Ok...I think I follow all this ? so it’s expensive. But if we want to bring it up to say 75 from 60 it will cost me roughly $180. Right? And then if it’s getting down to the 50’s still at night how fast does it loose heat with a solar cover on it?

and What have you guys found to be the most efficient way to run a heater than so it’s not running all the time? Thanks!
Click to expand...

With a properly fitted solar cover you will lose very little heat. With 50s outside temp you'll lose some. I use natural gas and just bite the bullet and pay for it. I like warm water 90+. We only get 4 1/2 months of season so I make sure we enjoy every bit of it. Probably paying $300/month for gas to heat during 2 of those months. Solar cover became too big a PITA to put on 2 weeks after I got it so I don't use it anymore. Whatever. Kind of wish I got a heat pump. So far we really haven't bothered with extending the season it has simply been too cold air temp for anyone to want to swim. My neighbor keeps his pool at 90 during the entire season with his heat pump heater and says it is under $50/month to run.
 
I’m looking at two different propane units. Let me know what you guys would recommend...or if there is another out there. The Hayward has the highest ratings.

1) Hayward H400FDP Universal H-Series 400,000 BTU
2) Sta-Rite SR400LP Max-E-Therm Pool And Spa Heater, Propane, 400,000 BTU
 
Nate4429 said:
I’m looking at two different propane units. Let me know what you guys would recommend...or if there is another out there. The Hayward has the highest ratings.

1) Hayward H400FDP Universal H-Series 400,000 BTU
2) Sta-Rite SR400LP Max-E-Therm Pool And Spa Heater, Propane, 400,000 BTU
Click to expand...

Look for the most efficient heater. Not sure how efficiency is measured with propane but natural gas would be like 94% efficiency.
 
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