Whether you want to take a dip in the middle of winter or love an early morning swim, having an efficient heating method can ensure your pool experience is enjoyable every time you dive in.

When choosing the best heating method for your pool, it’s important to consider factors such as pool size, budget and how long you’re willing to wait for things to heat up.

At NCS Pool Heating Systems, we have over 30 years of experience in supplying and installing premium solutions to help keep your water warm.

One great option we recommend is gas heaters. However, you might be wondering, is a gas heater the best option for me and how long does it take for a gas heater to heat a pool? In this guide, we’ll answer that question as well as break down everything you need to know about choosing a gas heater for your pool. 

How Do Gas Heaters Work?

A gas pool heater uses either propane or natural gas to heat your pool. As your pool pump circulates the water, it passes through a filter before going to the heater. The gas that is burning in the heater’s combustion chamber is what generates the heat that is then transferred to the water before it is returned to your pool.

Benefits of A Gas Heater

When choosing the right heating option for your pool, it’s important to consider both the pros and cons of each solution. Factors such as the size of your pool and your budget can affect which heater will work best. 

BEST FOR BUDGET

A gas heater also tends to be cheaper to buy and install than a heat pump (especially if you already have access to natural gas). This makes gas heaters a great option if you don’t have a big budget for your pool heating needs. 

SMALL BUT MIGHTY

Gas heaters typically work best for smaller bodies of water. If you have a small or medium-sized pool or even a spa in your backyard that could do with a little heating up, this may be a great option for you.

 

How Long Does It Take For A Gas Heater to Heat A Pool?

The big benefit of using a gas heater for your pool is that they don’t take long to heat things up. As they work best with smaller setups, if you’re not looking to have your pool heated 24/7 but just when the occasion calls for it, a gas heater is probably the best option for you. 

A gas heater can typically get your pool to your desired temperature within 8 to 12 hours, making it the fastest heating option on the market. The other major benefit is that, unlike solar heaters or heat pumps, a gas heater can maintain that temperature no matter the climate or weather and without the need for a pool cover. This is what makes this heating option so popular across Australia.

So whether guests have popped over unannounced or you’ve made a last-minute decision to go for a swim on a chilly day, a gas heater can help ensure your pool is at optimal swimming temperature when you need it and help extend the seasonal use of your pool.

 

Drawbacks of a Gas Heater

Like anything, there are a few things to be aware of if you decide to choose a gas heater for your pool.

COSTS TO CONSIDER

While they warm things up fast, a gas heater will usually have higher running costs than your other options. However, keep in mind these heaters do not need to run all day, every day and are usually only used for short lengths of time.

SUPPLY AND DEMAND

A gas heater will require your home to have a gas line to connect to. These days, more and more homes are being built with a natural gas supply readily available, so for newer homes especially, this shouldn’t be an issue.

ONGOING MAINTENANCE

The other factor to be aware of is that gas heaters typically have a shorter lifespan than electric pumps, lasting around five years. Gas heaters also require regular maintenance to ensure they continue to operate efficiently. 

You can compare the pros and cons of other heating solutions here.

 

Get Your Gas Heating Solution with NCS

If you’ve got a small pool or spa that you want to swim in all year round, gas heating may be the perfect solution for you.

The team at NCS can help make your pool heating dreams a reality, handling everything from your initial consultation to the supply and installation of your gas heater.

Supporting customers in Newcastle, Sydney, the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, the Hunter Valley and the Mid North Coast, contact NCS today to enjoy your pool in perfect comfort whenever you choose.