A cool dip in the pool during the warm summer months can be invigorating. The blazing heat radiating off anything it touches, one last refuge is the deep water of your backyard swimming pool. The warmer climates dictate an action of a refreshing deluge of water over sizzling skin but in milder climates, this usually isn’t the case. Fewer blistering hot days, much cooler evenings and the pool turns into a rather uncomfortable bath that raises the goose bumps upon entering just one toe through the surface. The sacrifice isn’t worth it to most – the frightening free-for-all jump that will likely create a shock throughout your body. It’s not uncommon, so don’t think you are alone. Technology is a wonderful achievement and in this example, water heaters are the answer to your mild summer or year-round balmy weather. Just like the water heater in your home, when this device is installed in your pool the result is relaxing, mind-numbing bliss.

Depending on your needs and what you are willing to spend, pool heaters come in a few different flavors to provide the comfort of cozy water. The first of which is quite "green." Solar power is free, but one needs the proper equipment to harness the power of the sun to provide thorough heat for pool water. As you can imagine, solar heaters utilize the sun’s free heat and come without an operating cost. The only monetary investment involved is the initial purchase and installation of the equipment. This cost frequently surpasses the cost of traditional heaters, but over the lifespan of the purchase costs involved will be lower than traditional heaters. Generally, a solar panel is attached to the roof of a house which is then attached to the water pump of the pool. As the panel collects heat, the water pump circulates the pool water and distributes heat.

Electric heaters are the preferred method of heating by many therapeutic and athletic training facilities. For home users, it’s the most often used method when a solar panel won’t fit on the roof. There’s no surprise here as the heat pump uses electricity to operate. Heat is extracted from the air, upgraded with a compressor, and then transferred to the water.

Gas pool heaters are like the water heater in your home. They are great for heating pool water in a short period but are quite expensive to use over an entire season. Natural or propane gas is burned in a combustion chamber where the heat is transferred to the pool water. If you live in the city, a direct gas hookup is sufficient, but if you live in rural areas a tank will need to be installed to store gas.

One final note, all forms of heaters benefit greatly from a solar pool cover. Covers trap the heat in the water to aid in increasing the overall temperature and reducing the activity of each heating system. The pool cover is like the roof over your house – without it the heat will escape away.