So many heating option, how do pick the right one? You have looked into a few options and have stumbled upon electric pool heater. You are interested in learning more about how they work and whether they may be an alternative for you, stick around.
How an Electric Pool Heater Works
If we understand the principles behind modern heating, understanding how an electric heater heats a pool is a quite simple. All heaters have one thing in common – a heat exchanger. This is the heart of a heater; it is the element that is responsible for heating, in our case, water. The concept behind a heater exchanger is quite simple. One form of fuel source heats the heat exchanger, simultaneously the heat exchanger heats the water as it passes through it.
An electric heater operates based on the same principles as noted above; however the fuel source is electricity. Electric elements are immersed into water, as water flows through the unit and is exposed to the element, it is heated.
Sizing of an Electric Pool Heater
We have found many articles online that seem to mislead or create confusion with regards to electric pool heater selection which we would like to clarify in this article.
When selecting a pool heater, such that you have true ability to compare your options. Select your pool heater by first finding you BTU heater requirement. If you would like to learn more about how to calculate BTU requirements please read our Selecting a Gas Pool Heater Article. Once you have calculated your BTU requirement, convert said BTU into KW. Divide the BTUH/3,412, this will provide you with the correct kW in sizing your electric pool heater. For example, a pool heater that requires 200,000 BTU, will require a 56.62kW heater (200,000 BTHU/3412).
Suitability and Cost
Considering the sizing requirements and cost of operating an electric heater we have come to conclude that the operating cost of an electric heater in Ontario is almost 9 times more than that of a natural gas heater.
Keep in mind that most sizing calculation considers an electric heater a maintenance heater and not a demand heater. Therefore they calculate your pools BTU requirements based on heat maintenance requirements & Heat loss using the following formula: 10 BTUH x (Length of Pool x Width of Pool) x (Desired Temperature of Water – Air Temperature. If your heater is indoors and has little temperature variance this may work for you. However, if you require a demand heater whereby you have BTU requirements of more than 100,000 BTUH (Equates to 29.31kW/H) you may wish to look into purchasing a natural gas heater as a result of the operational cost efficiency.
Bottom line; consider an electric heater if; (1) Installing a gas heater is impractical due to venting and/or installation of gas line and (2) electrical costs are lower than gas costs or (3) You have an indoor pool where the water temperature only needs small incremental increase.
To learn more about Pool Equipment and Electric Heating, visit our blog! We maintain updates regarding new products and best practices in Canada. Toronto Pool Supplies is your best source for pool supplies in Canada.