GAS
POOL HEATING
The ideal temperature
for leisure swimming is around 25 to 26 degrees Celsius. This temperature
is very rarely achieved naturally. For most of the swimming season,
the normal water temperature would be around 18 to 20 degrees. Most
of the temperature gained during the day is lost overnight, leaving
the pool cold again in the morning.
Gas heating
can quickly and efficiently heat your pool to a comfortable temperature
for swimming whenever it is required. This means you can extend your
swimming season for as long as you like, thus increasing the return
on what was probably a fairly large investment in your pool.
The increased
availability of natural gas and LPG has made it a popular form of swimming
pool heating. The fact that it is always available and can be closely
regulated makes it ideal for use on pools and spas where particular
temperatures are required.
HEATER RATING
(SIZING)
Gas heaters
have an input rating which is expressed in Megajoules (MJ), which is
a measure of fuel energy consumption, and an energy output rating expressed
in Kilowatts (kW).
The smaller
heaters are in the range of 60 to 100 MJ with larger heaters ranging
through 250 up to 400 MJ. The output of heaters will range from 25
to 100 kW.
WHAT SIZE HEATER
DO YOU CHOOSE?
Selecting the
right size heater depends on a number of factors. The size of the pool
and/or spa.
The maximum
temperature you would like to achieve and the heat up time required.
When determining
the size of the pool, consideration must also be given to whether or
not the heater is required to heat the spa as well as the pool. Most
people want to be able to heat their spa quickly and to a much higher
temperature than the pool, so a heater should be selected with this
in mind. If it is only the pool to be heated, remember, it does not
really matter if it takes a little longer and also the temperature
rise* will be less, so perhaps a smaller heater could be considered.
The points to remember are;
-
Amount of
water to be heated (in Litres)
-
The temperature
you wish to achieve
-
How long you
are prepared to wait
* “Temperature
rise” is the difference between the ambient or cold water temp and
the required temperature
CONTROLS
It is preferable
that all gas heaters be fitted with thermostatic controls. However,
heaters connected to spas must have
a thermostatic control with a maximum set temperature of 40 degrees.
Again there
are various levels of controls available, with some heaters being fitted
with in-built timeclocks and other even more sophisticated controls.
Choose the one that best suits your budget but also consider your lifestyle
and the way in which you intend to use your pool and/or spa. Don't
overlook the possibility of obtaining some long term benefits from
a short term cost.
INDOOR OR OUTDOOR
INSTALLATION
Gas heaters
come in a number of configurations to suit particular installations.
Be sure the heater you select is the one most suitable for your requirements.
ie: Heaters to be installed indoors require special fluing and may
require additional ventilation specifically designed to suit the size
and type of heater to be used. Heaters designed to be placed outdoors
should not be used inside without the appropriate flue or the manufacturers
consent.
Safety
note
Chemicals must not be stored in the same room as a gas heater. Spa
blowers must be located a minimum of 1.5 m from a gas heater.
Whilst most
gas heaters these days are designed and constructed to last along time
in all conditions, consideration should always be given to protecting
the heater from the elements. Heaters should always be installed on
a stable, non-combustible base, preferably a minimum of 50mm above
ground level.
Warning: When
gas heaters are used on salt chlorinated pools, care should be taken
to ensure the production of chlorine is adjusted to suit either the
spa or the pool, as internal components could be damaged by excessive
salt or chlorine levels. This is particularly important when operating
for extended periods during heat-up.
COST EFFECTIVE
AND CONVENIENT
Gas pool and
spa heaters are cost efficient and relatively inexpensive as far as
running costs are concerned. They provide the added convenience of
being instantly available whenever you decide to heat the pool or spa.
By utilising thermostatic control, the temperature of your pool can
be maintained at the level you select, despite the weather conditions.
Using a gas
heater to boost a solar heating system can also extend the swimming
season and using a pool
blanket will reduce operating costs.
