Spa and pool heating
Pool heating with gas is one of the most economical ways of extending the use of a spa or swimming pool throughout the year, and for providing an effective means of heating commercial pool complexes.
Gas spa and pool heaters are very effective. Heating pools with gas heaters can take up to half the time than heating with electrical heaters. This reduces the need to preheat spa pools or keep the temperature up when not in use, and dramatically reduces the time spent waiting for the pool to reach the desired temperature. This adds to energy savings and means pool heating with gas is relatively cheap to operate, making year round usage of pools an economical option.
Spa and pool heaters are similar in design to continuous flow water heaters. They are usually installed after the filter and pump, heating the water as it circulates over the heat exchanger. The gas burners located within the units are extremely powerful, making them capable of achieving very fast heating times.
Models are available for either internal or external installation, and for operation on either natural gas or LPG. They come in a range of heat outputs to suit residential and commercial pool heating specifications.
Installation
A pool heater must not be installed upstream of a filter or pump, downstream of an automatic chlorinator, or in a storage area for pool chemicals or flammable materials. Pool chemicals may contain chlorine which, when drawn into the heater burner, will quickly cause corrosion and damage to the heater.
Pool heaters must have a control system to ensure the water temperature in the pool does not exceed 40°C, and a manual reset high temperature limit device, independent of the control system, to prevent the water temperature exceeding 45°C. Controls are also required to ensure water is flowing through the heater before the main gas valve admits gas to the burners.
Where the water flow and return pipes are plastic, these pipes need to be connected to the heater with a minimum of 1m of unlagged metallic pipe.
A non-return valve is required to be fitted in the water return line between the filter and the pool heater. Unless the system is vented when the valve is closed, a valve must not be fitted in the water flow line between the heater and the pool.