Baptistry Heaters: The Best Purchase You Can Make
baptistry heaters go back quite a long way. As far as 100 years ago the very first modern baptistry heater was invented in America. It was a gas water heater that was packed with copper coils that transferred heat from the heating elements to the water. With time, baptistry heaters have evolved, rather than using gas or propane the majority are powered using electricity. Are baptistry heaters and church heaters one and the same thing? Technically they aren't. baptistry heaters are typically used to heat the water which is used for baptism. church heaters , however, are employed to heat the entire church floor and keep all the congregants warm.
Why pick a baptistry heater?
Before reviewing some of the top baptistry heaters currently available on the market, it’s essential to know beforehand what you should be looking for. You will need a heater that's:
Economical. Churches usually have to suffer large energy bills, especially when the complete church has to be heated for the entire winter season. This is why it’s important to find a heater that is power efficient.
To economize in the long run you’ll want to buy a heater that will stand the test of time.
Safety factors are also critical as electrocution is a real risk when it comes to water heaters.
It’s important to research the rules and regulations of the state that your church is in, as various places have different standards with regards to which kind of electricity equipment can be used.
You also have to take into account that the larger the heater the more unattractive it will likely be.
Which are the most effective baptistry heaters in the market?
There are lots of different types that churches can choose from, but it makes sense to look for one that will last for a very long time.
Hydro-Quip BES 6000 series
This particular type of baptistry heater comes in 2 sizes the 5.4 kw and the 11 kw. The difference in between them is the size of the baptistry pool. For those who have a larger pool you ought to consider the 11 kw heaters. Both versions have electricity motors (3/4 hp), GCFI protection to eliminate the threat of electrocution and an installation kit. Provided that you have the heaters installed by a professional you can expect them to work very efficiently for quite a while. The manufacturers have added a handful of features to make the heaters function better yet. They have a 7 day timer that turns the heater off and on automatically. There is also auto fill, a thermostat and a remote control. Whilst they include a complete installation manual it is suggested that you call in an electrician.
PBES 6010
This heater is portable and although it is smaller than both Hydro-Quip models it can heat large pools. It comes with a submersible pump, a thermostat, a pressure switch, GFCI and a 15 ft suction and return hose. As this is a portable unit it is strongly recommended for churches that hold baptisms in more than one location.
Are there other models I should consider?
You can’t really do better than these two models. They'll stand the test of time, and keep costs down because they are power efficient.
Should you decide on an immersion heater or a circulation baptistry heater?
Immersion heaters are immersed within the water and the water around it gets heated. A disadvantage to this type of heater is that the cable runs on the floor near the baptistry, and may create problems with trips and falls. There's also the additional threat of electrocution.
A circulation heater works just like a pool heaters. It's mounted on the pool or beside it and when it's turned on a pump disperses heat throughout the pool. This type of heating system is a lot safer and simpler to operate and look after.