Sometimes, even in summer, the weather can be unpredictable. At times, your pool glistens in the sun, and just five minutes later, it’s shrouded in the shadow of a large cloud. Regardless of weather conditions, you want to make the most of your pool, but how can you do that when the weather constantly shifts between hot and cool? The solution to this problem is simple and readily available. There’s nothing better than a pool heater to ensure that your pool is always the temperature you desire. With one of these devices attached to your pool system, you can swim all summer and possibly even all year! However, it’s crucial to pick the right size before choosing a unit for your pool. With a heater that’s too small, the water could be under-heated, and with a unit that’s too large, you could end up using more energy than necessary. 

One of the most important elements of choosing a heater is the size of your pool. Before measuring it, decide what temperature you’d like your pool to be and how fast you want it to heat up. Then, it’s time to do some math to find out the size of your pool. Here’s how:

  • Find the surface area of your pool by multiplying the length of your pool by its width. For example, if your pool is 16’ by 32,’ the surface area would be 512 square feet.
  • Divide your surface area by three, and then multiply the answer by 1,000 (512/3 = 171 (approximately). 171 x 1,000 = 171,000). The result you get from this final calculation will be the minimum number of British Thermal Units (BTU) needed to heat your pool.
  • This figure is the absolute minimum BTUs required to heat the pool. A good rule of thumb is to always get a heater about one size up from your calculated number of BTUs. For instance, a heater with 250,000 BTUs, rather than just 170,000, would work best for the pool size in our example. 
  • It is especially important to size up your heater if you want to use your pool in the colder months and maintain a higher water temperature.

Having the right pool equipment ensures that you can maximize your pool days and enjoyment. With heaters, pool chemicals, hot tubs, and more, J&M Pool Supply is here to ensure that you have everything you need to keep your pool ready for parties, barbecues, or beautiful, sunny days. For more information, contact us today at 678-336-5585 or visit our website!