Propane Pool Heaters

In The Swim Knowledge Pool: Propane Gas Pool Heaters

Fast, Reliable Propane Swimming Pool Heaters

Propane pool heaters are a reliable and efficient way to warm your pool water to your exact preferred temperature, in any outside conditions. In-ground and above ground pool propane heaters are the fastest way to heat a pool, and the only way to heat a pool in cold weather temperatures below 55° F. Day or night, winter or summer, propane pool heaters effectively and reliably warm any pool or spa.

Sizing a Propane Pool Heater

Propane heaters are sized by the heat output, in BTU's, and pool heater manufacturers offer models sizes from 100K BTU to 400K BTU, with many sizes in between. Above ground propane heaters are usually in the range of 100-200K BTU. In-ground propane heaters are 200K-400K BTU, and are sized according to pool size in gallons and surface area, wind factors, average outdoor air temp and whether or not you will use a pool cover.

Larger heaters will heat faster, but may not always be necessary. As a general rule of thumb, buy a propane pool heater with at least 100K BTU for every 10000 gallons of pool water. Using a solar pool cover can reduce evaporative heat loss by 95%, to reduce both the size of propane gas heater required, and the cost to operate the heater.

Installing a Propane Pool Heater

Any handy homeowner can purchase, place and plumb a propane gas pool heater. Place on a sturdy non-combustible base adjacent to the pool filter, with clear sky above and plenty of air space around the heater. Cut the return pipe after the filter, and route the PVC in and out of the heater. To wire a digital gas pool heater, connect the pool bonding wire to the bonding lug, and then bring in 120 or 240V from the timeclock, switch or breaker box, to power the heater controls. Consult your pool heater model owner's manual for detailed installation instructions and important notices. 

Connecting propane gas however, should be left to the professionals. The first step is to call your local propane gas supplier(s) and tell them that you wish to install a propane pool heater. Tell them the size propane pool heater you intend to buy (BTU size), and they will be able to provide options for gas tank sizes, set-up and gas connection. The gas tank can be purchased, or leased from the propane supplier, with a monthly bill for tank and regulator rental cost, and for any LPG refills made during the month.

In The Swim LPG pool heaters connect directly to a propane gas tank, above ground or in-ground, and are simple to use. We carry a great variety of the best propane pool heaters from leading brands like Jandy, Pentair, and Raypak. Call our LPG pool heater experts for any questions related to pool heating - 1-800-288-7946.