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On a hot summer day, the water in a small country pool warms up naturally. In cloudy weather, the heating time increases or, in general, the temperature does not reach a comfortable level of +22OC. In large pools, natural heating takes even longer. To solve this problem, a pool heater has been created that operates from different energy sources.
Heat exchanger
The simplest water heater for a swimming pool is a heat exchanger. The basis of the design is a tank through which hot liquid flows. The connection occurs to the heating system or any instantaneous water heater. A coil is built inside the tank. This part is the heat exchanger. Water from the pool circulates through the coil, warming up from the hot liquid inside the tank.
Why do you need such a complex pool heating if you can simply run the water directly through the heater? You can use this scheme, but there are two problems:
- Pool water contains small particles of chlorine and other impurities. When heated, they settle as a solid sediment on the walls of the heat exchanger, clogging it.
- The water in the pool is oversaturated with oxygen, which oxidizes the metal walls of the heat exchanger.
To prevent an expensive boiler or instantaneous heater from breaking down, a second circuit is installed in the heating system. It is easier and cheaper to replace the heat exchanger if it becomes clogged or a leak appears due to oxidation of the walls.
A homemade heat exchanger is a coil of pipes connected to the heating system. In a small children's pool, the pipeline is laid according to the principle of a “warm floor” system. The coil will heat up a small amount of water quickly, but it will not cope with a large volume.
Electric models
The second most popular is an electric pool heater, consisting of a housing, heating elements and a thermostat. There are two types of devices:
- Cumulative. The device consists of a large tank, where water is heated by heating elements, and from there it is supplied to the pool.
- Flow-through. The device is connected to the pool's water treatment system. There is a filter in front of the water heater that passes purified water, which eliminates the formation of solid deposits.
Depending on the power, the devices are connected to single-phase and three-phase networks. When calculating, the following parameters are taken into account:
- at 1 m3 outdoor pool water – 1 kW heating element power;
- at 1 m3 indoor pool water - 0.5 kW heating element power.
The need to heat large quantities of water requires the use of powerful appliances. Electricity costs are huge, plus a separate wiring line is required.
Heat pump
A rather complex pool heater, a heat pump is an innovative technology. The device is efficient and economical, but is rarely used due to its high cost.
The system consists of two circuits within which liquid circulates. The external pipeline is laid underground, at the bottom of a reservoir or other place from which heat can be extracted. The internal circuit is located inside the pool. It transfers the heat extracted by the external pipeline to the water.
The system works according to the following principle:
- the circulating liquid through an external pipeline takes heat from the depths;
- the pump forces the coolant inside the evaporator, where the refrigerant is located in a separate chamber;
- the heat causes the gas to quickly boil, turning into steam;
- The vaporous refrigerant enters the compressor, where, when compressed, it releases a lot of thermal energy, which heats the coolant of the internal circuit.
The cycle repeats while the circulation pumps and compressor are running.
The disadvantage of a heat pump is the high cost of purchasing and installing equipment. However, the system can be used not only to heat a swimming pool, but also to be used as heating for a home. A big plus is free energy. Further costs will only be for the electricity required to operate the circulation pumps and compressor.
Solar heating
A small volume of water in the open air will warm up naturally. This happens for a long time and only in clear weather. To heat water in a large pool, solar energy must be concentrated. The solar system collects the sun's rays with screens, converts them into thermal energy, from which the coolant circulating through the pipes warms up.
A solar system is expensive to install, but is similarly beneficial due to the use of free energy from the sun.In addition to heating the pool, home heating can be connected to the system. Sensors and valves are used as automation with a solar system. When the water in the pool warms up to the set temperature, the coolant is directed to another circuit past the heat exchanger. After cooling, the valve is activated. The coolant flows through the heat exchanger, and heating of the water in the pool is resumed.
A powerful solar system can quickly warm up the water, but only if there is sun. In cloudy weather, efficiency is greatly reduced, which is the main disadvantage. For cold regions with a minimum number of sunny days, a solar system is unprofitable.
The video shows an example of heating water with solar energy:
Wood and gas heaters
When the question arises of how to heat the water in a pool using traditional, cheaper methods, wood and gas heaters come to the rescue. The operating principle of both devices is the same. Only some design elements differ, depending on the type of energy carrier.
A wood-burning water heater for swimming pools is considered simple and safe to use. The device consists of a housing with a firebox, inside of which there is a heat exchanger. You can burn anything that burns. The thermal energy of the fire heats the coolant circulating through the heat exchanger. Hot water enters the pool, and cold water returns to be heated.
Wood heaters are convenient in suburban areas where there is no gas main. Even during a power outage, the circulation pump can be started from a gasoline generator. The power of the device depends on the size of the heat exchanger, and the speed of heating the water depends on the fuel used.There are automatic models that regulate the combustion intensity by closing the dampers.
The advantage of wood-burning water heaters for swimming pools is their ease of installation, low cost of equipment and fuel. The disadvantage is the smoke, which interferes with rest. Solid fuel must be constantly added to the firebox. Automation only slightly regulates combustion. It is not possible to set the heating temperature accurately.
Gas-powered appliances are distinguished by the presence of a burner in the firebox. The work is fully automated, and the presence of a thermostat allows you to more accurately set the water heating temperature. The disadvantage of the device is the complexity of installation, the need for permits to connect to the main line, and the high cost of energy resources.
Heating blanket
The simplest pool heater that does not require wood, gas or electricity is called a heating blanket. The mysterious name hides an ordinary awning or blind cover. It can be included or purchased separately. The cover is needed to prevent debris from getting inside the pool. Additionally, solar energy is accumulated on the surface of the awning, warming the water by a couple of degrees.
A heating blanket is used on small pools, usually of a collapsible or inflatable type. In cool, cloudy weather, an awning is of no use.
Features of choosing a device
When choosing a water heater for a pool, it is important to consider a number of important parameters:
- The first thing to consider is the power of the device. The parameter determines whether the heater can cope with the volume of water. In terms of power, the device can be taken with a reserve. The rate of water heating will increase, but at the same time energy consumption will increase.When buying a water heater, you need to know the volume of your pool and compare it with the recommended parameters in the device instructions.
- Based on the heating method, it is better to give preference to flow-through models. Storage tanks take up a lot of space, plus you have to heat a full tank, even if you don’t need that much hot water. Flow-through models are lightweight, compact, and heat up quickly. Water is supplied through a filter directly from a water supply or well.
- It is important to choose the right unit according to the energy source used. You will have to heat a lot of water. The energy source must be cheap and accessible. Operating the device on gas or from modules for collecting solar energy will not cause any trouble for the owner, but initially you will have to shell out a large sum to purchase the equipment. You will have to tinker with firewood, but the savings are obvious.
For summer cottage use, the only profitable option is to heat the pool with a device that burns solid fuel. As a last resort, preference is given to electric models.
Heating a pool is easy to do with your own hands. Craftsmen come up with homemade products similar to store-bought units, however, their appearance is unpresentable.
