Temperatures of Gas Pool Heaters

About Gas Pool Heaters

• Gas pool heaters may be either natural gas or propane powered. The gas burns in a combustion chamber that warms the water as it passes from the filter through copper tubing. The warmed water is then returned to the pool. Gas heaters are good for quickly heating pool water, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s EnergySaver website. They're most efficient when used for short periods of time. Other types of heaters may be more energy efficient for long-term heating of pool water. Gas heaters must be maintained regularly for best efficiency. Scale -- a buildup of mineral deposits in the water pipes -- can cause the unit to work harder and use more fuel. Carbon deposits on the burner unit can also cause inefficient use of fuel.

Gas Pool Heater Temperatures

• The higher temperature you require for your swimming pool water, the more it will cost you in energy. Gas pool heaters can generate water temperatures of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more, depending on the unit. However, this temperature will cost the homeowner more money without contributing significantly to the enjoyment of the pool. Gas pool heaters should be set to the minimum comfortable temperature for your family, and the heat preserved with a solar blanket or other type of pool cover that will retain the warmth when the pool isn't being used.

Pool Temperatures and Heating Costs

• Energy costs from pool heating can be a significant expense for the homeowner. In areas such as Atlanta, pool heater energy costs can climb to $2,880 annually when the water is kept at 82 degrees Fahrenheit. In cities such as Miami -- where pools are used year-round despite temperature dips during the winter months -- costs can rise to $3,600 per year for pool heating. Keeping the pool water at a lower temperature, as well as the use of covers, can help to reduce energy use by one-third.

Maintaining Pool Temperatures for Greatest Efficiency

• Gas pool heaters should be kept at the lowest comfortable temperature for the greatest energy savings. Set the pool heater at a known comfortable temperature and avoid the impulse to turn it up to the highest setting. This action will not get the pool to heat any faster, according to the PoolCenter website. If the pool will be unused for three or four days, set the temperature to 70 degrees Fahrenheit to save money. Have a pool heater technician check the gas pool heater yearly to ensure that the unit is working safely and efficiently. Keep shrubs and trees near the pool heater trimmed neatly. Obstructions from plants can adversely affect the operation of the heater. With good maintenance, gas pool heaters can last five years or more.