Freezing Temps: Should You Run Your Pool Heater in Winter?

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Temperature, especially in the Winter, can be extremely unpredictable. If you already possess a pool in a hotter climate, unforeseen freezing conditions and harsh winter weather could be significantly detrimental to the pool, particularly if you are unprepared.

So you just had a pool built a little over a year ago. Winter is on its way, and you’ve been having fun in the heated air steamed perfectly by your pool heater, but as the cold weather approaches, you may wonder and start to ask should I run my pool heater in Winter?

The answer is No, and It is necessary to keep in mind that you need not run your heater to keep your pool ice from forming. In actuality, trying to run your heater in subzero temperatures can be detrimental to the unit.

Also, You cannot possibly run your pool’s heat pump continuously. It is too expensive to be a viable solution to the freezing temperatures.

Should you run your pool heater in Winter?

You can run your pool heater during short-term cold spells with the temperatures ranging from 0°F to 32°F, as long as you begin before freezing situations start and as long as your pump runs continuously.

However, running a heater for an extended period with water temperatures less than 50° is not strongly advised.

Keep your pool pump running continuously once temperatures are close to or even below freezing. You don’t need to turn on your heater because moving water won’t freeze. You should turn on pump water features, and valves should also be left open.

You can also cover as well as drain the pump and also pipes. Break up any ice on the pool’s surface to keep the skimmers and skimmer doors clear.

• Is it possible for a running pool heater to be affected by Freezing temperatures?

You could be wondering if pool heaters can freeze while running. The answer is No, but the reason for this may shock you. Even turned-on pool heaters can freeze when there is no water flowing through them because the system would not enable the heater to turn on. The best way to keep heaters from freezing while they are turned on is to keep water flowing through them.

Even when a heater is switched off, as long as the water is flowing through it, it will not freeze. If you choose not to winterize your pool system, keep it running 24 hours each day throughout the Winter to keep the heater and other components from freezing.

• What is the best pool heater for Winter?

There are three types of gas heaters: Gas or propane heaters, solar heaters, and Electric resistance heaters. A fourth type is primarily used for hot tubs and consumes a large amount of electricity, so many people focus on the three most popular.

Choose a pool heat pump if your winter season is gentle and not below freezing. Use a fully automated timer and an electric resistance heater or backup gas for the coldest winters during the frigid and snow-filled winters. 

However, keep in mind that the most appropriate pool heater for Winter meets your requirements. And in some cases, this necessitates the use of at least one heater or more.

• Should you heat the pool in freezing temps?

Pool heaters, such as heat pumps, are brilliant inventions in renewable energy because they capture energy from the immediate surroundings and transfer it to the swimming pool water.

 When homeowners hear this, one of the first questions is, “How can a potential heat pump possibly extract energy from the atmosphere during the cold winter days?” Is this to say I shouldn’t heat my pool in the Winter?

The answer is YES, you can heat your pool in freezing weather, But You’ll need to decide what temperature you would like the water to be, which is entirely up to you. On the other hand, installing and using a heater can enlarge your swimming period and let you enjoy the swimming pool for most of the year.

You can rely on your pool heater, such as a heat pump, to work at any time of the year. But for a pool heater to do so, you will have to check the following.

Ensure that your pool heater can operate in cold temperatures. 

Many heaters cannot operate below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, someones which could be installed can also operate well into the 20s. You should contact professional pool heater manufacturers to find a suitable product with a working air temperature ranging from -10°C to 45°C. 

These “Hot Gas Defrost” units, also known as “ice breakers,” can retain your pool water heated and ice-free throughout the Winter. This is truly the case for the main pool and your spa and otherwise hot tub.

Check that there are no restrictions.

Even on the coldest days, your pool heater can collect energy from the surroundings; however, efficiency as well as output will be affected, which can be remedied by enhancing the period the pool heater runs for or perhaps increasing the size of the pool heater, or lowering the pool temperature.

What should I do with my pool heater when it’s freezing outside?

DO NOT use insulation or even a blanket to cover your pool heater. Why? There are two primary reasons:

It may collect moisture that can corrode the heater’s interior parts, causing the coils to degrade or perhaps the burner chamber in a gas heater to rust.

The heater may turn on by itself, or someone unknown with your pool may accidentally turn it on whereas the cover is on. The heat pump requires adequate air circulation over the coils.

The equipment will not function properly and will become damaged if fresh air is not allowed in and flue gasses are not allowed out, resulting in an expensive repair.

Conclusion.

If you want to swim in the Winter, you’ll want a heater to heat the water. Unless, of course, you possess penguin or perhaps polar bear blood coursing through your veins.

Running your pool heater in subzero temperatures is not a great idea. Moreover, You cannot possibly run your pool’s heater continuously. It is too expensive to be a sensible solution to the freezing temperatures.