On average, natural gas burns about 1 therm per 100,000 BTUs per hour (
As long as you are willing to wait for the pool to heat, it is cheaper to turn off the heater when you aren't using the pool. BTUs are BTUs. The pool needs a certain amount to heat to a certain temp and will lose a certain amount.
Natural gas heaters (also known as NG heaters) use about 1 therm per hour per 100,000 BTU's. For a typical size 400,000 BTU pool heater, that's 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.
Pool Heater Pricing
There are also different types of pool heaters to choose from. On average, to install or replace a pool heater it's going to cost you between $1,000 and $4,000. Installation alone can start at $500 and run up to $1,000. The average pool heater costs nearly $3,000 for the heater and installation.
Keeping Your Pool Heated
However, since weather can be unpredictable, if you plan to keep your pool open during the colder months, you must keep your water heated well above freezing temperatures. Don't run the risk of ruptured pipes or allowing the cold to cause more expensive damage.
It depends on a few things to determine how long it takes a heat pump to heat a pool. However, overall a heat pump generally heats a pool after 24 to 72 hours by 20-degrees Fahrenheit. For smaller pools like a spa pool, the heat pump can heat a pool between 45 and 60 minutes.
On average, natural gas burns about 1 therm per 100,000 BTUs per hour (British Thermal Units). Meaning, an average pool heater between 300,000 and 400,000 BTUs will cost anywhere from $3.30 to $4.40 per hour to heat your pool.
Between setup and operating costs, a pool heater costs between $300 and $5,000, with the average cost around $2,000.
You can significantly reduce swimming pool heating costs by installing a solar pool heater. They're cost competitive with both gas and heat pump pool heaters, and they have very low annual operating costs. Actually, solar pool heating is one of the most cost-effective use of solar energy in some climates.
Not only will it be tough to keep the heat in your pool on colder nights but you will also spend a fortune trying to heat your swimming pool. So unless you have money to burn, it's best not to run your heater at night on an uncovered swimming pool.
The Cost of a Gas Heater vs Electric Heater
Electric swimming pool heaters differ quite a lot from gas in terms of costs. The units tend to be more expensive upfront and the cost of installation is a bit more because of their intricacies. However, electric is usually cheaper in the long run.
You have a 20,000-gallon pool and use a 125,000 BTU heater. Your water is currently 70 degrees F but you would like it to be a minimum of 80 degrees F. How long will it take before the pool water reaches 80 degrees F? 10 x 1.33= 13.34 hours of heating before the pool reaches 80 degrees F.
If you want an energy-efficient way to heat your pool, consider using a heat pump pool heater in mild climates. Solar water heaters are cost competitive with other types of water heaters and have low annual operating costs.
With proper installation and maintenance, a heat pump will generally have a lifespan of about ten years, though many have lasted longer. We at AquaCal have seen some last as long as 15 years! So those are some factors that will affect the lifespan of your heat pump.
Using the heater only when the water dips below a certain point keeps the energy consumption down. For the average person, a pool that is 78 degrees or higher is comfortable. If you are trying to save money or energy, run your heater only when the pool water temperature dips below 78.
Pool water temperatures typically run between 78 and 82 degrees. Any cooler than 78 and you may come out of the pool shivering.
You can add a pool heater to an existing pool. Homeowners can choose to add a solar heater, electric heat pump, or a gas/propane heater to their pool. By doing so, you can keep your pool heated during the cold seasons.
The pool's surface area divided by three gives you the minimal BTU size recommended for that particular surface area. Continuing the example above with the 15 x 30 pool, after dividing by 3, you get 150. Therefore, the minimum size heater that is recommended for a 15 x 30 pool is 150,000 BTUs.
As most of a pools heat is lost from the surface of the pool, this is what is used to determine the size of the solar pool heating system. Basically, the required amount of solar collector should equal 60% to 100% of the surface area of the pool – depending on your location and requirements.
The average cost is between $1,500 and $3,000 depending on the water temperature you set. This is for heating from May 1 through September 30. Unless you live near the equator or love shivering, you need a heater for your pool.
On average, the rise in temperature will be 2 to 5 degrees F for each circulation of water through the solar system. It normally takes from 8 to 12 hours to cycle all of the water in your pool so you can expect an overall temperature rise of 5 to 15 degree F after several days of sunny weather.
When it comes to heat retention, inground pools will stay warmer for longer because of the insulative properties of the ground surrounding the pool. Of course, this can be used with a water heater or a similar system that allows the water to be warmed.