Between setup and operating costs, a pool heater costs between $300 and $5,000, with the average cost around $2,000.
If you want to get as much time as possible out of your pool, however, a heater is a good investment. With a pool heater, you can easily be swimming May through mid-October, giving you a good five months of use out of your pool. That's literally double the amount of time you'd get without one.
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.
Pool heaters have an average life expectancy of 6 to 12 years. But if you use them properly, keep them well-maintained, and make sure that the pool has balanced water chemistry, you can help them last longer than expected.
Calculate the pool surface area in square feet by multiplying the length and the width of your pool. Then, use this formula to figure out the BTUs you'll need your heater to put out: pool area (sq. ft.) x temperature rise x 12.
Efficiency and Installation
By nature, gas heaters have a greater environmental impact than electric. However, electric takes longer to heat up your pool water and is less efficient in colder temperatures. This is because they rely on outside heat to warm up the pool water.
While adding a pool heater requires an upfront investment, it helps you maximize your investment by being able to use your pool for much more of the year. Between setup and operating costs, a pool heater costs between $300 and $5,000, with the average cost around $2,000.
Absolutely yes you can install a pool heater yourself without being a plumber. It is recommended to have a friend help you set it up so you don't get hurt. But, you will need to be very comfortable and take safety seriously. Read the instructions on how to install a pool heater.
Gas pool heaters are relatively inexpensive to install, starting at $1,500. Prices for gas pool heaters can range from $1,500 to $6,000 on average, with larger pools requiring more powerful and expensive heaters.
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.
Electric heaters might cost between $175 and $600 per month to run, and electric pumps could cost around $120 to $200 per month.
Gas is generally a cheaper energy source than electricity. Operating costs for home appliances fueled by gas are typically less expensive than those which are powered by electricity.
A pool heater can be undersized: if it cannot replace the heat lost through evaporative cooling, the pool's temperature will fall below the ideal. However, there is no such thing as oversizing a pool heater. The larger the heater's output, the faster it heats the water in the pool, and it will not begin short-cycling.
No, you shouldn't leave your pool heater running all the time. Not only will it increase your electricity bill, but it will put unnecessary stress on your pool heater. Instead, you should run your pool heater to cycle when necessary during the day. That way, your pool will be warm throughout the day and night.
Propane is the most powerful way to heat your pool, and is the most effective option for heating a pool in areas where the temperatures can drop below 60 degrees. The heating capacity of propane pool heaters outperforms any electric heaters, solar heaters, solar covers and heat pumps.
7-10 years is the average life expectancy of a pool heater.
Overheating Pump
The modern-day pool heaters are designed to shut off when pool heater running but not heating, causing overheating to the pump. This is the duty of the thermal overload switches. So if your heater keeps shutting off, you may need to look at your thermal overload switches and change the faulty ones.
You can expect a gas or heat pump pool heater to last 8 to 11 years, with an average of 10 years. Regular usage and maintenance is key to a longer lifespan.
You know those black trash bags? They can hold heat too. Fix one up to a hula hoop and if you want, cut one side of a pool noodle to add buoyancy and you've got yourself a super cheap pool heater.
How Long Will a Concrete Pool Last? A concrete pool should last decades (we're talking 50 years or more) if it is properly maintained. While the shell of the pool can become damaged if the building was not done correctly, a well-constructed concrete swimming pool should last a lifetime.