GAS POOL HEATING......
The ideal temperature for leisure swimming is around 25 to 26 degrees Celsius. This temperature is very rarely achieved naturally. For most of the swimming season, the normal water temperature would be around 18 to 20 degrees. Most of the temperature gained during the day is lost overnight, leaving the pool cold again in the morning.
Gas heating can quickly and efficiently heat your pool to a comfortable temperature for swimming whenever it is required. This means you can extend your swimming season for as long as you like, thus increasing the return on what was probably a fairly large investment in your pool.
The increased availability of natural gas and LPG has made it a popular form of swimming pool heating.
The fact that it is always available and can be closely regulated makes it ideal for use on pools and spas where particular temperatures are required.
HEATER RATING (SIZING)
Gas heaters have an input rating which is expressed in Megajoules (MJ), which is a measure of
fuel energy consumption, and an energy output rating expressed in Kilowatts (kW).
The smaller heaters are in the range of 60 to 100 MJ with larger heaters ranging through 250 up to 400 MJ. The output of heaters will range from 25 to 100 kW.
WHAT SIZE HEATER DO YOU CHOOSE?
Selecting the right size heater depends on a number of factors.
The size of the pool and/or spa.
The maximum temperature you would like to achieve and the heat up time required.
When determining the size of the pool, consideration must also be given to whether or not the heater is required to heat the spa as well as the pool. Most people want to be able to heat their spa quickly and to a much higher temperature than the pool, so a heater should be selected with this in mind.
If it is only the pool to be heated, remember, it does not really matter if it takes a little longer and also the temperature rise* will be less, so perhaps a smaller heater could be considered. The points to remember are;
• Amount of water to be heated (in Litres)
• The temperature you wish to achieve
• How long you are prepared to wait
* “Temperature rise” is the difference between the ambient or cold water temp and the required temperature cont...
CONTROLS
It is preferable that all gas heaters be fitted with thermostatic controls. However, heaters connected to spas must have a thermostatic control with a maximum set temperature of 40 degrees.
Again there are various levels of controls available, with some heaters being fitted with in-built timeclocks and other even more sophisticated controls. Choose the one that best suits your budget but also consider your lifestyle and the way in which you intend to use your pool and/or spa. Don’t overlook the possibility of obtaining some long term benefits from a short term cost.
INDOOR OR OUTDOOR INSTALLATION
Gas heaters come in a number of configurations to suit particular installations. Be sure the heater you select is the one most suitable for your requirements. ie: Heaters to be installed indoors require special fluing and may require additional ventilation specifically designed to
suit the size and type of heater to be used. Heaters designed to be placed outdoors should not be used inside without the appropriate flue or the manufacturers consent.
Safety note: Chemicals must not be stored in the same room as a gas heater.
Spa blowers must be located a minimum of 1.5 m from a gas heater.
Whilst most gas heaters these days are designed and constructed to last along time in all
conditions, consideration should always be given to protecting the heater from the elements.
Heaters should always be installed on a stable, non-combustible base, preferably a minimum of 50mm above ground level.
Warning: When gas heaters are used on salt chlorinated pools, care should be taken to ensure
the production of chlorine is adjusted to suit either the spa or the pool, as internal components
could be damaged by excessive salt or chlorine levels. This is particularly important when
operating for extended periods during heat-up.
COST EFFECTIVE AND CONVENIENT
Gas pool and spa heaters are cost efficient and relatively inexpensive as far as running costs are concerned. They provide the added convenience of being instantly available whenever you decide to heat the pool or spa. By utilising thermostatic control, the temperature of your pool can be maintained at the level you select, despite the weather conditions.
Using a gas heater to boost a solar heating system can also extend the swimming season and
using a pool blanket will reduce operating costs.
www.poolheating4u.com.au
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Is Your Swimming Pool Plant Designed Correctly?
Is Your Swimming Pool Plant Designed Correctly?
I have been asked recently by some resort managers will a variable speed pool pump save me money and what effect, if any, will the pump have on the pool heater.
Firstly most resort pools in accordance with Queensland Health Swimming Pool and Operational Guidelines fall into a Category Two Type Pool. This means that a swimming pool filter plant should be designed to have a volume turnover period (exclusive of ballast tanks) of five to six hours during operating times.
The turnover period is the time taken for the total pool water volume to pass through the filters and treatment plant and return to the pool. Spa pools have a turnover rate of 20 minutes.
If your pool filtration system is not designed correctly and if the pump is oversized for the job then this will be costing you money in wasted energy and equipment maintenance.
It is the opinion of most people that the bigger the pump the better. The reason for the vast range of pump sizes on the market is flow rates suited to a specific requirement, which in most cases is not considered when buying a pool pump.
In most resorts the standard type of pool pumps are oversized for the job that is required and of course the running costs are higher. Also equipment removal or replacement is usually substituted with more PVC elbows creating excess friction loss which affects flow rates.
When sizing a pool pump some of the following criteria must be considered:
• Volume turnover period
• Litre capacity of the pool
• Friction loss & head
• Filter flow rate requirement
• Chlorinator flow rate requirement
• Pool heater flow rate
• Water feature flow rate.
All associated equipment for pools have minimum and maximum flow rates to operate efficiently.
In the case of pool heaters the correct flow rates are most important to operate efficiently at their maximum performance rate. Gas operated pool heaters especially.
Examples for Gas Pool Heaters as Follows:
• If the water flows through a heat exchanger too quickly then the heat rise between the inlet and outlet is minimal or nil. The heater is not performing efficiently and costing you valuable dollars in wasted energy. This situation is also damaging to your heat exchanger. Condensate forms on the heat exchanger fins and collects the fumes of the burnt gas which calcifies; this eventually blocks the flu ways and corrodes the heat exchanger.
• If the water flows through the heat exchanger too slowly then there may not be enough water flow to actuate the water flow switch in the heater or the water will consistently
• boil thus actuating the over temperature safety switch. As this switch self resets you get a cycling affect with the heater, again costing valuable dollars in inefficiency. The heat exchanger also warps due to consistent overheat.
In my opinion if your pool pump and system is designed correctly and you operate the system in a required time frame per day then you are on the money as far as operating costs are concerned.
You can inquire about a more energy efficient pump that will give you the required flow rates but be careful with multistage pumps that will decrease or increase flow rates.
If you install a pump that you can select (adjust) flow rates be careful that nobody adjusts this pump that has no knowledge of what is required in respect to flow rates for the rest of the equipment.
Also consider the cost of the pump and the warranty terms of the pump. Pool pumps are a high usage plant and replacement or repairs are more prominent.
If you choose to buy an energy efficient pump then compare the cost savings against a correctly designed standard pump. Also compare the life expectancy of both pumps and the replacement or repair costs of both pumps. It is useless paying a lot more for a pump that will save slight energy costs but will cost a lot more to replace or repair.
To have energy efficient filtration system also depends on a correct maintenance schedule, too many resort managers do not keep the pump strainer baskets clean or backwash filters at required intervals, not to mention chlorinator cells. This also has an effect on flow rates and equipment efficiency.
I would consider that you firstly have your whole system checked out for correct design and secondly put a proper maintenance schedule in place and make sure it is carried out by either yourself or your pool operator This will definitely save you money immediately.
I have touched on this subject briefly to minimise the article content and your pool maintenance company should be able to answer any in depth questions that you need to know.
If you are having your equipment assessed please ask for a written report and the mathematics to support the recommendations, not all contractors may have the knowledge to carry out a detailed assessment.
I would also suggest that you go to the Queensland Health website and study your obligations in respect to your pool & spa. To find website type in QLD Health Swimming and Spa Pool Water Quality and Operational Guidelines and select the PDF version.
Regards
www.poolheating4u.com.au
I have been asked recently by some resort managers will a variable speed pool pump save me money and what effect, if any, will the pump have on the pool heater.
Firstly most resort pools in accordance with Queensland Health Swimming Pool and Operational Guidelines fall into a Category Two Type Pool. This means that a swimming pool filter plant should be designed to have a volume turnover period (exclusive of ballast tanks) of five to six hours during operating times.
The turnover period is the time taken for the total pool water volume to pass through the filters and treatment plant and return to the pool. Spa pools have a turnover rate of 20 minutes.
If your pool filtration system is not designed correctly and if the pump is oversized for the job then this will be costing you money in wasted energy and equipment maintenance.
It is the opinion of most people that the bigger the pump the better. The reason for the vast range of pump sizes on the market is flow rates suited to a specific requirement, which in most cases is not considered when buying a pool pump.
In most resorts the standard type of pool pumps are oversized for the job that is required and of course the running costs are higher. Also equipment removal or replacement is usually substituted with more PVC elbows creating excess friction loss which affects flow rates.
When sizing a pool pump some of the following criteria must be considered:
• Volume turnover period
• Litre capacity of the pool
• Friction loss & head
• Filter flow rate requirement
• Chlorinator flow rate requirement
• Pool heater flow rate
• Water feature flow rate.
All associated equipment for pools have minimum and maximum flow rates to operate efficiently.
In the case of pool heaters the correct flow rates are most important to operate efficiently at their maximum performance rate. Gas operated pool heaters especially.
Examples for Gas Pool Heaters as Follows:
• If the water flows through a heat exchanger too quickly then the heat rise between the inlet and outlet is minimal or nil. The heater is not performing efficiently and costing you valuable dollars in wasted energy. This situation is also damaging to your heat exchanger. Condensate forms on the heat exchanger fins and collects the fumes of the burnt gas which calcifies; this eventually blocks the flu ways and corrodes the heat exchanger.
• If the water flows through the heat exchanger too slowly then there may not be enough water flow to actuate the water flow switch in the heater or the water will consistently
• boil thus actuating the over temperature safety switch. As this switch self resets you get a cycling affect with the heater, again costing valuable dollars in inefficiency. The heat exchanger also warps due to consistent overheat.
In my opinion if your pool pump and system is designed correctly and you operate the system in a required time frame per day then you are on the money as far as operating costs are concerned.
You can inquire about a more energy efficient pump that will give you the required flow rates but be careful with multistage pumps that will decrease or increase flow rates.
If you install a pump that you can select (adjust) flow rates be careful that nobody adjusts this pump that has no knowledge of what is required in respect to flow rates for the rest of the equipment.
Also consider the cost of the pump and the warranty terms of the pump. Pool pumps are a high usage plant and replacement or repairs are more prominent.
If you choose to buy an energy efficient pump then compare the cost savings against a correctly designed standard pump. Also compare the life expectancy of both pumps and the replacement or repair costs of both pumps. It is useless paying a lot more for a pump that will save slight energy costs but will cost a lot more to replace or repair.
To have energy efficient filtration system also depends on a correct maintenance schedule, too many resort managers do not keep the pump strainer baskets clean or backwash filters at required intervals, not to mention chlorinator cells. This also has an effect on flow rates and equipment efficiency.
I would consider that you firstly have your whole system checked out for correct design and secondly put a proper maintenance schedule in place and make sure it is carried out by either yourself or your pool operator This will definitely save you money immediately.
I have touched on this subject briefly to minimise the article content and your pool maintenance company should be able to answer any in depth questions that you need to know.
If you are having your equipment assessed please ask for a written report and the mathematics to support the recommendations, not all contractors may have the knowledge to carry out a detailed assessment.
I would also suggest that you go to the Queensland Health website and study your obligations in respect to your pool & spa. To find website type in QLD Health Swimming and Spa Pool Water Quality and Operational Guidelines and select the PDF version.
Regards
www.poolheating4u.com.au
Monday, February 25, 2013
Pool Heating Systems | Gas Pool Heating | Heat Pumps | Accessories
Preferred Pool Heating is expanding supply of Major Brand Swimming Pool Heating Systems,
Heat Pumps and gas plumbing supplies for residential and commercial
Pool Heating Systems | Gas Pool Heating | Heat Pumps | Accessories
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