spa heater

Enjoy An Electric Pool Heater

A swimming pool, whether in ground or above ground, is a big investment. You probably made that investment because you enjoy the pool so much. It’s hard to wait through the nearly warm spring to start using the pool and it’s heartbreak to start packing up the swim gear so early in the fall. One good way to get more from your investment is to install an electric pool heater. Just by increasing the pool’s warmth a few degrees, you can extend swimming season and add hours to every swimming day.

Safe And Efficient

If you don’t have an electric pool heater, you’re probably using solar energy. In other words, you sit around the pool waiting for the sun to warm up the water. With an electric pool heater, you get to decide when the swimming starts. Use the thermostat to keep the water at your preferred temperature. If you like a morning swim, you can get an electric pool heater with a timer to start the warming in time for your early laps. If swimming is an activity you prefer to enjoy after lunch, the time and thermostat save energy in the morning and ensure the best temperature when you are ready to enjoy it. And if you like to watch the sunset in the pool, the thermostat will keep the water as warm as you like well into the night as you wish.

Once the electric pool heater is professionally – and safely – installed, you can decide how to use it. Many heaters use the ambient air to warm the water, using energy to disperse the existing heat rather than creating it. You can save energy by using a solar pool cover to keep the heat in the pool over night. The cover will also keep the cold rain water out. It can take an hour of energy to heat the pool up one degree. Look for corrosive-free metal parts like copper and bronze rather than aluminum. Chlorine can be harmful to some metals. Some types of electric pool heater can double as a spa heater. If you have a spa or hot tub or are thinking of adding one, you might want to look into the versatile type of electric pool heater to avoid having to buy a second heater.

When making your selection, make sure that you choose an electric pool heater that is appropriate for the size of your swimming pool. Have your dealer explain how to install and maintain your heater. Be sure that you understand all of the safety requirements. Water and electricity are not naturally friends. Once you know what to do and how to do it, your biggest job will be to enjoy your pool while your neighbors are still waiting for the morning chill to dissipate.

Maintain Your Spa Heater

The purpose of a home spa is to promote relaxation and wash away your cares. One way it does that is to heat up water to help relax you. Don’t become so relaxed that you miss the warning signs of a spa heater problem. Remember that water and electricity don’t mix well. A small problem can become a big problem is not handled properly.

Begin At The Beginning

Start by installing the spa in the right place in the right way. Don’t install an indoor spa outdoors. Buy the proper spa for the intended use. These days, it’s easy to purchase anything at all online. Many times that means dealing with a trained and experienced person. Often, it means getting a bargain from an auction site where the seller may know everything or nothing at all. Never buy a spa online, whether new or used, unless you are guaranteed to receive the original manual with it. In almost every case the manual will include all warnings and the ways to avoid trouble. Make sure the spa heater is also the original and if not, that the replacement spa heater is exactly the right model.

When it arrives, compare the manual to the merchandise and make sure that all of the parts match the illustrations and part numbers. Be especially cautious with the spa heater and all electrical parts. If you have any questions, check online for pictures of the spa. Install the spa according to directions, of course. If you need to install the spa in an unusual way that isn’t covered by the manual, you may want to call in an electrician just to be sure. Make sure all of the exposed wires are in good condition and the plug is sound. See that the spa heater is in the proper place without signs of wear or burning.

When you first start the spa, make sure it performs according to directions. Slow or inadequate heating can be a sign of trouble. If you have an outdoor spa, perform all of the checks at the beginning of the season. Check for frayed wires, animal damage and water damage. Turn it on each spring and make sure it is working up to snuff. Give the spa heater a test run to see that it still heats as well as always. Investigate any unusual odors. If there are any questions, call the electrician. At the end of the season, pack it up carefully to protect it from the winter stress normal for your area. You can get many years of good, safe use from your spa heater when you follow the manual.