How Much Are Pool Heat Pumps

The Cost Of A Heat Pump And Installation

A typical pool owner would need to choose between the two widely used options for heating a pool, which are electric and gas-operated pumps.

Electric: Commonly referred to as heat pumps, electric heaters are designed to heat pool water by extracting heat from the outside air and transferring it to the water. The heated water is then released into the pool.

Electric heaters are well suited to heat larger pools and are preferred for their higher heating efficiency. Suppose you own a large swimming pool and live in an area with a relatively cooler climate. In that case, heat pumps offer the ideal balance between heating efficiency and value for money.

A 4,50,000 BTU electric heat pump would cost anywhere between 3000 to 4000 dollars, including installation, and is an extremely viable option for pool owners in the long run.

Gas Powered: Propane and natural gas are the two primarily used fuel sources for gas-powered pool heating. The gas-powered pump draws the water through a filter to the heater that generates heat by the propane or methanes combustion. The heated water is released back into the pool while the by-products of combustion are expunged through an exhaust system.

Cost To Replace Oil Or Gas Furnace With Heat Pump

The average cost to replace an oil or gas furnace with a heat pump is $4,000 to $12,000. This price includes removing the oil or gas furnace for $150 to $400 or removing underground oil tanks for $400 to $3,500. A cheaper option is converting the furnace to a backup heating source.

Replacing the oil hot water tank, installing a new air handler, making ductwork modifications, and upgrading the electrical panel to support the heat pump can add $500 to $5,000 to the final cost.

Taking Usage Into Account

When comparing the costs of gas and electric pool heaters, bear in mind how and when you use your pool. Gas heaters warm pool water quite quickly, so you’ll only need to run yours when you want to go for a dip. An electric pool heater, on the other hand, needs to stay on all the time. If you only heat your pool once in a while, a gas heater may actually cost you less.

Also remember the limitations of electric pool heaters. If you want to keep your pool open when the temperature dips below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll need to opt for gas rather than electric regardless of cost. The temperature of your pool water matters too. Someone comfortable swimming in 77-degree water will pay less to heat a pool than a swimmer who prefers a balmy 85-degree pool.

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Whats The Cost To Run A Pool Heater

Are you wondering what the costs are to run a pool heater in Tampa, FL? Below are a few options available to you and their individual costs. If you have any other questions about pool heaters or other pool systems, contact one of our Hawkins Service Company experts!

Propane Pool Heaters

Propane heaters burn about 1 gallon per hour per 100,000 BTUs. For a typical size 400,000 BTU heater, that equals 4 gallons an hour. Currently, propane costs between $4.50 to $5 per gallon. Since prices do fluctuate be sure to check with your provider. Typically, one hour on propane will cost $ 18.00. To heat, an average pool with no solar cover typically takes 8-14 hours. By adding a solar blanket to your pool during heating you will greatly increase the efficiency of the heating process and keep evaporative heat loss to a minimum.

Natural Gas Pool Heaters

Natural gas heaters use about 1 therm per hour per 100,000 BTUs. For a typical size 400,000 BTU pool heater, thats 4 therms per hour. Currently, natural gas runs about $1.50 per therm near Tampa. The average cost to heat a pool for one hour on natural gas is around $ 7.00. To heat, an average pool with no solar cover typically takes 8-14 hours. By adding a solar blanket to your pool during heating you will greatly increase the efficiency of the heating process and keep evaporative heat loss to a minimum.

Heat Pumps

Heating Comparisons:

How Hot Does My Pool Water Need To Be

This answer depends on your preferences, and on how you plan to use your pool.

Generally, we recommend pool water be kept around a minimum of 75 degrees Fahrenheit to be considered “comfortable” by most people.

However, young children and older adults may want water that’s at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit to swim comfortably.

The National Swimming Pool Foundation’s official recommendations are for pool water temperatures of 82 degrees Fahrenheit for recreational swimming, and for 90 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit for children ages four and younger.

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Electric Heat Pump Installation

Electric heat pumps dont take very long to install, but they can be a bit pricey.

Most electric heat pumps will cost between $2,000 and $7,000, if not more — particularly when including the cost of installation, with professional electric and plumbing hookups.

However, it’s worth remembering how much money youll save over the long term with the electric heat pump’s lower monthly operating costs.

Pro: Heat Your Pool Quickly

Gas heaters are popular among pool owners because it heats the pool quickly and keeps the pools temperature stable, regardless of outdoor temperature. For this reason, gas pool water heaters are ideal for pool owners in cooler climates who use their pool less frequently, particularly at the beginning or end of the summer when the outside temperature fluctuates often.

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How Much Does It Cost To Heat Pool

Who does not want to soak in a warm pool in a chilly weather but the average pool heat pump cost is making your budget go weary. The weather changes constantly and there are just some times that we and a couple of other people would like to take a dip. May it be because we are celebrating a birthday, a special occasion or even a holiday tradition, we dont run out of reasons to dive into an inviting body of water. But since no one wants to get into the water if it is freezing cold, an idea will then hit you. Should you get a pool heater? But will it consume too much electricity and will heated pool price eat up your bill?

There are several types of heater used in residences and they have different advantages and disadvantages. You have the option to choose which one best fits your needs. Here are the common types of pool heaters that you can buy: Electrical Resistance Heaters, Gas Heaters, Heat Pumps and Solar Heaters.

Once you have chosen the perfect heater for you, it is now time to think of the cost to heat pool.

How Can Electric Heat Pumps Save Money

Solar heaters might use “free” energy, but you’ll still need to run your pump to make use of their warming functionality.

This extra pump time can often increase electricity costs by anywhere from $300 to over $1,000 a year, depending on how determined you are to keep your pool water warm.

Gas pool heaters regularly cost anywhere from $300 to $500 a month to operate, depending on the fuel you use and how often you want to heat your pool water.

Electric pool heaters are more efficient than other pool heaters, typically costing their owners roughly $50 to $100 per month in added electric expenses.

Nearly all our customers who opt to install pool heaters choose electric heat pumps, simply due to their dependability and comparatively lower operating cost.

Electric heat pumps often extend the average pool’s usability by two to three months, depending on your location and climate. An electric heat pump’s minimum temperature requirements of at least 55°F will determine how long it can extend your swim season.

In warmer Gulf Coast states, like Texas or Louisiana, an electric pool heater can efficiently regulate temperatures during most of the year.

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Gas Pool Heating Unlimited Temperature With Quick Results

Gas Pool Heaters use either propane or natural gas. As the pool pump circulates, water passes through the heater combustion chamber, which super-heats the water and returns to the pool. Gas heaters are best when you require a warm spa or year-round warm pool temperatures regardless of the weather or climate. This might be important if you have an in-ground spa or swim for therapeutic exercise. A gas heater is currently the most expensive way to heat your pool. It is best when installed as a hybrid system or a backup heat source to supplement a primary solar pool heater or pool heat pump.

Whats Better A Pool Heat Pump Or A Gas Pool Heater

Its hard to say offhand which is better, a pool heat pump or a gas pool heater. Those who live in cold climates with a short unpredictable swimming season should get a gas pool heater. Those who dont need a lot of heating in their areas, such as someone from California or Florida, will want to consider a pool heat pump.

It boils down to your climate as the main factor to whether a pool heat pump will work best for you. The cost of electricity is the second factor, and as it goes, the colder climate it is the more electricity and efficiency of the heat pump goes down. So it is like an exponential decline.

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What Is The Difference Between Pool Heaters And Pool Heat Pumps

Heat pumps operate differently by using electricity to capture heat and move it from one place to another and do not generate heat like a gas or propane heater.

Gas and Propane pool heaters will use more energy than pool heat pumps because they are required to create heat, rather than transfer it. However, if you live in a location with colder climates, a heat pump would need to use more energy since it needs to draw in heat from the outside air. Heat pumps may be ideal for those who use their pool in warmer weather and do not live in a location with cooler climate.

How A Heat Pump Pool Heater Works

As the pool water circulates through the pool pump, it passes through a filter and the heat pump heater. The heat pump heater has a fan that draws in the outside air and directs it over the evaporator coil. Liquid refrigerant within the evaporator coil absorbs the heat from the outside air and becomes a gas. The warm gas in the coil then passes through the compressor. The compressor increases the heat, creating a very hot gas that then passes through the condenser. The condenser transfers the heat from the hot gas to the cooler pool water circulating through the heater. The heated water then returns to the pool. The hot gas, as it flows through the condenser coil, returns to liquid form and back to the evaporator, where the whole process begins again.

Higher efficiency heat pump pool heaters usually use scroll compressors versus the reciprocal compressors of standard units.

Heat pump pool heaters work efficiently as long as the outside temperature remains above the 45ºF50ºF range. The cooler the outside air they draw in, the less efficient they are, resulting in higher energy bills. However, since most people use outdoor pools during warm and mild weather, this usually isn’t an issue.

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Are Heat Pumps Worth The Cost

Heat pumps lower electricity bills by $300 to $1,500 annually, saving 30% to 70% on energy costs. Heat pumps are 2 to 3 times more efficient than furnaces, and pay themselves back in energy savings within 5 to 12 years. Plus, heat pumps are inexpensive to run, making them worth the cost.

Heat Pump Type & Performance

Heat pumps are available in split or packaged systems with various performance levels. The most efficient heat pumps use variable-speed blowers and two-stage compressors.

• Split Ideal for small homes without ductwork. Requires an indoor air handler for every zone.
• Packaged Ideal for homes with ductwork. Requires less space. Easier to install. The pre-packaged system is installed outdoors, and the air is ducted into the house.

• Cooling is sized in tonnage, covering approximately 400 to 700 square feet per ton. Newer, well-insulated homes or homes in cold climates cover more square feet per ton and require less BTUs.
• Heating is measured in British Thermal Units , requiring 30 to 60 BTUs per square foot, depending on the climate zone. Hotter climates , high ceilings, more occupants, or inadequate insulation increases BTUs needed by 10% to 30%.

Supplemental heating is typically required when the balance point is below 32°F. The maximum size heat pump to buy should be 25% over the BTUs required. Otherwise, an oversized heat pump can frequently short cycle, giving the unit a much shorter lifespan.

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Cost To Operate A Heat Pump

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates it costs $740 a year to heat an outdoor pool in New York at a temperature of 78 degrees with a heat pump. The cost jumps to $975 to heat it to 80 degrees and to $1,220 for 82 degrees.

Again, this is based on a 1,000 square foot pool, heated from May 1 to September 30.

But add a pool cover, and youll notice significant savings. Those annual costs zoom down to $105, $150 and $200, respectively.

How Much Does A Pool Heater Cost Upgraded Home

A swimming pool adds value, character, and a wealth of fun opportunities to any home. A heated pool takes it even further by allowing you to enjoy the pool and swim when its cool out. Naturally, many builder-owners set their eyes on a pool heater, but how much does one cost?

It costs an average of $3,800 to install a pool heater between the heater and labor. You can expect to spend $875 on labor due to extensive electrical wiring work. Gas pool heaters are the most expensive to install at $5,000 and it costs an additional $265 per month to run.

The biggest cost of pool heaters is that they consume energy and increase your bills significantly. You could spend well over $3,000 each year in bills with a propane heater, and that is why many choose solar heaters to save thousands. Lets take a look at how much a pool heater costs.

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Pro: Lower Initial Purchase And Installation Cost

Compared to other, more energy-efficient pool heaters, gas pool heaters are more economical upfront. Their price tags are significantly lower, running between $1,500 and $2,500, and the cost of installation can run as low as $500. Installation is particularly low if your home already has gas energy hookups. If you want to stick to a lower budget for the first year of use, a gas pool heater is a good option.

How Much Will It Cost To Use

Swimming pool heat pumps and heating systems are graded based on their heating efficiency. The industry standard used to express this is the British Thermal Unit . One BTU of heat is used to heat one pound of water by 1°F. An average size pool contains between 10,000 to 12,000 gallons of water. If one gallon of water weighs 8.33 pounds, 10,000 gallons will weigh 83,300 pounds.To heat 83,300 pounds of water by 1°F, it takes 83,000 BTUs. When the water is around the coveted 50°F from the 20-25 °F on a typically pleasant day, the heating system would require close to 21,00,000 BTUs of energy. A right 450,000 BTU heat pump would take anywhere between 5-6 hours to heat a pool containing 10,000 gallons of water

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Cost To Repair Pool Heater

Pool heaters can run into trouble, and when they do, they need to be fixed. Luckily, you can hire a professional pool technician to fix your pool heater and spend $600 or less. Of course, it costs closer to $600 if the repairs are serious but expect to spend $300-$400 for minor repairs.

The only way to minimize the risk of damage and make the heater last long is to have it serviced yearly. It generally costs $100 to have the pool heater inspected and serviced once a year.

How Do I Calculate Pool Volume In Gallons

If you want to size your pool heater and youre not sure what your pools volume is in gallons, an easy way to calculate it is to multiply the length by the width to get the area, then multiply the area by the average depth. Finally, multiply that number by 7.5. Heres how the formula looks:

Pool volume = x average depth x 7.5

To get the average depth, you can add the shallowest depth in your pool to the deepest depth and divide that by two. Lets say your pool is 3 feet at the shallow end and 6 feet at the deep end. Your average depth would be ÷ 2 = 4.5 average depth. This formula works best with pools that have a constant slope. If your pool has a hopper bottom or varying depths throughout, you can divide your pool into sections to make calculating the volume easier.

Dividing the pool into sections also works well for freeform and irregular shaped pools.

Have more questions about pool heaters? Leave them for us in the comments and we will answer them as soon as possible!

At River Pools, we manufacture world-class fiberglass swimming pools for customers across North America. If you’re interested in getting a fiberglass pool for your home, feel free to browse our catalog of models, try out our pool pricing calculator, or request custom pricing using the button below!

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