Atlanta Area - Pool Heater Needed?

14 years ago

Hi Everyone,

We are new to post!

We've been following this forum for a while as we are about to sign a pool project...assuming we can make up our minds which one of the two PBs we want to go with. We are finalizing all our numbers and debating if we want a heater. We are not doing a spa and we personally are not a fan of too hot of water and so we don't know if we want to spend the extra expense if we don't think we'll need it. We mostly will use it in summer only but curious to when in Atlanta, Ga the pool starts to heat up nicely on its own? Can we swim from say May - October without a heater?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, we are doing a classic rectangle pool with the 4 sides invert (arched) inwards. We want to do a couple spillways for something unique and possible adjust the "look" a bit. If anyone has any photos on something super classy looking and not run of the mill as far as pools go (in this style) we'd love to see them.

We also heard from someone that Bourdaux Pebble Fina is gorgeous. I know it comes on purple but it is really as blue crisp as the photos look? Anyone in Atlanta (or North) have this color? We live in a heavily wooded area as well if all the green trees make a differnce on the pool color. We also will be partially shaded fall and winter.

Thanks!

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Comments (18)

sceadu
14 years ago
Welcome to the forums,

As far as a heater is concerned, you have to decide whether you want a true heater or more of a maintainer. A gas heater will definitely extend your season by about a month in Atlanta and give you the option to use the pool when we get a mild winter. Where as a Heat pump, will extend your season by the same but you wonÂt have the option to use it when the air temp drops below 55. The heat pump would be more efficient in the middle of summer to maintain your water temp but the efficiency drops off as the air temp drops. I have built pools where I stub for the heater to be added at a later date if so desired.

With the Pebble Fina, I have not seen that color in person but your PB should be able to ask Olympic if they have used it and where you can go to see it.

Out of curiosity which companies are you interviewing? Good luck with your build.
sharon2975
14 years ago
we have just finished a pool build in the atlanta area. if you have shade I would suggest a heater as swimming in May can be chilly. Send me an email at sharon2975@aol.com as I have several atlanta area pool suggestions for you.
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Oil fired heaters in the US don't exist anymore. You decision to move away from that fuel is a very good one I suspect. One concern on that front is are you in northern Virginia or Nova Scocia as your references seem a bit non descriptive. I don't know what is in Canada as an available fuel. Generally speaking, oil is replaced with propane. This is usually just as much a budget issue as oil since the two are tied in both manufacturing and pricing. You mentioned tanks, burying, etc..., Here in NJ, I am not allowed to deal with these tanks. I used to get to pass this section on to a buddy of mine I grew up with (which means he's a mensch too!) to pull the tank and oil because subterranean tanks are no longer allowed here. The propane dealer deals with any needed propane storage issue. My dealer (I have propane for my pool) provided a pair of 125 gallon tanks for my 300K heater which gives me about a 30 to 45 day supply after I heat up the pool. They are above ground and withing 120' of the location they need from the truck to refill. As long as the stickers IDing them stays visible, I can paint them or have things growing like ivy if I like. Different areas may have different rules. Asking is the best way I know to finding out those rules. My wife and I don't find they stick out like sore thumbs in my yard but some people may for theirs. As for your situation, a heat pump has limits. If those limits are outside your needs, its use is not really for you. You have read enough and so I don't need to reiterate the a HP may be nice for you for the pool but the spa use will be a different situation. A gas fired heater has so many advantages there. As for which brand, my area has a number of brands available. The ones I like best happen to be Pentair. What is best in your area may be similar or it may rely on what you can get serviced easily and that may be a different brand. I don't recommend a heater be purchased off the net but rather be sized properly and equipped as needed on site and professionally. Unless you are planning to do the install and have the experience needed, you won't save a buck. Scott
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ollieboy
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Sceadu,
Yes that is also what we are hearing. We've spoken to so many people. The companies we like are Olympic Pools and Georgia Classic Pools. We also liked Neptune and Artistic however they were out of our price range. Thanks!
sceadu
14 years ago
ollieboy,

can you email me off forum so I can give you more info.

4fiddy@gmail.com
jvan
14 years ago
We have an in ground pool in Duluth, GA that gets plenty of sun and we have a heater but we don't use it. I get into the water in May and went for some dips after yard work into late Sept/early Oct. So you could go either way with the heater, not needed if you can stand some water temps in lower 70's.
kolivieri
14 years ago
We live in Mississippi, our pool has direct sunlight and we love our pool heater. The heater truly extends the season! It's also fun to swim when it's colder and to see steam rise from the pool.
ollieboy
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks everyone for the info. sceadu and sharon i emailed you both from my gmail account as you both said you have some info.

Any other thoughts on heaters would be great. Thanks a ton. We have not progressed with anyone to contract as of yet.
sharon2975
14 years ago
Ollieboy I did not get your email. Would you mind resending it and putting Atlanta pool in the title so I will see it if it goes to my trash.
Thanks so much, sharon2975@aol.com
jrgina
14 years ago
Oil I`m sure you know that there is three kinds of heaters.
Gas, heat pump,and solar.Gas will heat your pool faster and
hotter,but very expensive,heat pump is more economical and
probaly your best choice south of the proverbial MasonDixon
line.With a HP you must have a pool cover,HPs are great but
they take a day or two to get your pool temp up and if not
covered the heat will escape at night.Using the thermostat
and a cover your pool season will be extended spring thu early fall.
Solar systems are also great.Initial cost is all you will occur,nature pays for the rest.SS can be used to supplement
gas or heat pump.SSs are also good if you have too much
shade on your pool.(you mentioned trees?)
Another minus on gas is if you don`t have a gas line to your house,you need a hugh unsightly tank.Some who do have
a city line have to go to a larger line (ca Che-ca che).
Good Luck it seems you are going to have beautiful,well
thought out pool....JR

PS.. Like an early post said you can easily add a HP later.
I did mine myself a year later and saved dough.The major
thing is getting an electrical circuit (50w)to your equipment.
poolguynj
14 years ago
Heat pumps loose efficiency as air temp decreases. After about 50, they all quit injecting heat. They cost about twice what a gas heater costs.

I'm sure jrgina meant a 50 amp circuit, not 50 watts. And that's at 240 VAC. Few units will use that much available power.

Solar should have a southern facing roof with enough area to cover 1/2 to 3/4 the area of the pool. Trying to go above 2 stories makes it very hard for a pump to fill it's panels. Often, a larger pump is needed. There may be winterizing issues, depending on the installation.

While I have gas, I couldn't justify the cost of the service u/g and plumbing requirement to do it so I went with propane. I have two 125 gallon tanks, covered with ivy. They only get 80% filled, so I have a maximum capacity of 200 gallons. I burn about three gallons per hour when my 300K BTU heater is firing.

Scott
sandradee
14 years ago
I'm south of you in north Florida and am VERY thankful this pool came with a heat pump!

Between the shade trees and the cloudy skies during rainy days (which were nearly every day this past summer!), the pool's temp hovered at about 80 degrees without heat or cover. While I believe Olympic swimmers go for 78 degrees, that's just too chilly for me. So even in the heat of the summer, the heat pump was on to boost the temp a few degrees for me.

With the heat pump running reasonable times and a partial cover, I swam into October.
brentr_gw
14 years ago
We also live in North Florida and went swimming in November. We have a heat pump and had the pool up to 96degrees using a solar cover. Funny thing we did not notice much increase in our electric bill, maybe $20 more, that is the cost for a couple 12pk of beers. :) We will be looking to add solar this year to supplement the heat pump as we like to swim at 88 degrees......
jaazielann07
14 years ago
This site http://www.allpartspoolandspa.com offers all kinds of pool and spa parts from accessories up to motors, based on experienced I can assure you that their products are in good quality and worth buying for

Here is a link that might be useful: Pool parts
poolguynj
14 years ago
jaaz,

Don't spam the board. You're welcome to contribute information but please keep the unsolicited pages off.

Scott
ollieboy
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for all the good heater advice. If we go with one, we'll just be getting it through our builder now or prepping it for the future.

I'll update you on what we decide once we finalize plans. Thanks for all the insight.
Jason Fung-Reeves
3 years ago
We are looking for a heater for pool
АНЯ ГОЛУБЕВА
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
we recently ordered a heater on the website https://gadgets-reviews.com/review/1567-best-above-ground-pool-heaters.html, Anchor5: gadgets-reviews.com, does not take up much space, very roomy, I like it.
misskaykayb
3 years ago
My husband and I are looking to build a pool in our backyard in Atlanta. Do you recommend the builder you used?

Atlanta Area - Pool Heater Needed?

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sceadu

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