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Pool Heater Sizing
All of the swimming pool
heaters at
Poolcenter.com, from the small 100 (100,000 btu) unit to the largest 405's
(405,000 btu's of gas usage per hour) will heat your pool. The smaller
heaters are slower to heat, and will operate more often to keep up with the
output of larger heaters. Larger heaters are a small bit more efficient than
the smaller pool heater units. Use of a
pool cover to retain heat and
installing fences or other wind* obstructions can reduce demands on the pool
heater.
If you are trying to heat a pool/spa combo, a
400 btu pool heater (the Big Boy) is usually used for fast
(15 - 30 minutes) heat up of the spa.
Ask yourself a question about your anticipated
usage patterns. If you will be heating intermittently, for example, turning
on the heater on Friday, and turning it off on Monday, then a quick heat up
is required. Heaters only add 1 - 3 degrees of heat per hour to the average
pool. A larger heater is best for this usage pattern. If you expect to be
maintaining a temperature by setting the thermostat, and maybe adding a few
degrees in the evening or on weekends, then a smaller sizes of pool heaters
can be used.
Use the chart below as a guideline in sizing a
heater to your pool size. Factor in the usage patterns and other
considerations above and then consider going one size larger for good
measure.
|
Size Heater |
Gallons in Pool |
Sq.
Ft. Surface Area of Pool |
|
100 - 200 BTU heaters |
1,000
gals to 10,000 gals |
up to
300 sq ft |
|
200 - 300 BTU heaters |
10,000 gals to 20,000 gals |
up to
500 sq ft |
|
300 - 400 BTU heaters |
20,000 gals to 40,000 gals |
up to
800 sq ft |
|
400
BTU heaters |
40,000 gals to 80,000 gals |
up to
1200 sq ft |
*wind is
the largest heat thief around your pool, with the possible exception of
teenagers. |
