Pool heaters are lifesavers when it comes to swimming pool owners who might not use and enjoy their swimming pool as often as they would like because of the water being too cold. With pool heaters in Kenya, you can enjoy your swimming pool at any time because the water is heated and you do not need to wait until the weather is hot for you to get a dip.
Types of swimming pool heaters for residential swimming pools in Kenya.
There are three types of powered swimming pool heaters used to heat residential swimming pools and each of them has its own different mechanism of operation and a set of pros and cons they include;
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Electric swimming pool heater
Electric pool heaters work by pulling heat from the air to heat the water, they tend to require an ambient air temperature of at least 55 degrees for effective heating. They typically cost about 5000 – 10000 Ksh per month to operate or more. This makes them among the cost-effective heating systems. The lower operating costs are due to the pump’s energy efficiency, electric heaters are also an ideal choice for environmentally conscious swimming pool owners.
pros
Energy efficient -Electric heaters are energy efficient and do not consume a lot of energy
Environmentally friendly – Unlike gas heaters, electric heaters are environmentally friendly
Long life span – Electric heaters usually last between 10 to 20 years
Low costs – Electric heaters have lower monthly costs because of their energy efficiency
cons
High upfront costs – Electric heat pumps are expensive to purchase and install
Slow heating – Electric heaters may take time to run and they heat the pool water slowly.
Rely on temperatures – The electric heaters tend to stop working when the temperatures are less than 55 degrees.
2. Solar pump heaters
These pool heaters absorb heat and energy from the sun through the solar panels which are then transmitted to the pool water through a circulation system. In order to use this water heating mechanism you need to ensure that your area receives plenty of sunshine and has enough space to install the solar panels which are frequently installed on the roof. As much as the solar heating system is free, the electricity required to pump water through the solar heater isn’t free, you also need to keep in mind that solar panels require permits and inspections before they can be installed and used.
Pros
Inexpensive – Solar heaters are typically expensive to run because they obtain energy from the sun.
Environmentally friendly– Solar heaters are environmentally friendly because they operate largely from energy from the sun.
Long life span – Solar pool heaters have long life spans and can last from 15 -20 years.
Cons
Expensive to install – The solar heaters require high upfront costs to install and space for the solar panels.
Dependent on the sun- These heaters only work where there is sufficient sunshine and are dependent on the sun
Take longer to install – These heaters tend to take longer to install because of the more work required. They also heat the water slowly.
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Gas pool heaters
A gas pool heater burns natural gas or propane in a combustion chamber to generate heat. This heats the copper coils through which the pool water circulates quickly warming up the water. These heaters can be quite expensive. Most people who use these heaters prefer connecting the heaters to direct gas lines as the propane alternative can be more costly.
Pros
Heat the water quickly – These heaters tend to heat the pool water faster than the other heaters.
Low upfront costs – These heaters have comparatively lower upfront installation costs.
Cons
Less energy efficient-These heaters consume a lot of energy and are less energy efficient.
Shorter life span – Unlike the electric and solar heaters these heaters have a shorter life span
Not environmentally friendly – These heaters are not environmentally friendly because they produce a lot of emissions into the atmosphere.
Conclusion
If you are looking to heat your pool water quickly then gas pool heaters are the best option to choose from the available range of options for residential swimming pool heaters in Kenya. The best residential swimming pool heater however depends on your budget, personal preference, and needs.
