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Backyard pools tend to be expensive. There is no escape from this fact. No matter what type of pool you have or are planning, spending wisely will result in the most enjoyable pool ownership experience. Investing in the best pool heater for your situation is important, but it shouldn’t be confusing or time-consuming.
In this review, we have simplified the process so that you can easily make a decision and start enjoying it as quickly as possible. We have reviewed all the best pool heaters on the market today and have compiled a list of the top 10. We have also identified the most important factors to consider before buying.
We have created our list of the best pool heaters by first identifying competitors that fit the basic criteria. We took a look at 18 of the most widely used pool heaters from this list and rated them on 20 different parameters. Next, we’ve narrowed down our list to the top 10 pool heaters. Our ratings take into account factors such as pricing, customer ratings, heating options, warranties, and compatible pool types at the time of scoring. All ratings are set solely at the discretion of the editors.
Why you can trust Forbes Home: The Forbes Home team is committed to providing you with independent, unbiased ratings and information. We use data and expert advice to inform all of our content. In addition, our advisory board of licensed professionals reviews and analyzes our content for accuracy and relevance.
The Raypak Digital Copper Nickel Propane 240k BTU Pool Heater Model 14951 isn’t the cheapest on our list, but for good reason. When it comes to pool heaters, this is the pinnacle. Its 240,000 BTU propane heating capacity is ideal for most residential above or below ground pools.
Raypak offers heaters with warranties of around $3,200 for up to three years when registered and installed by a certified technician. Powder coated galvanized metal protects the copper-nickel heat exchanger and stainless steel burners from all weather conditions. Convenient digital display compatible with remote control for easy programming.
The Pentair EC-462024 easily ranks second in our MasterTemp 125 Low NOx pool heater range. Energy efficient and priced around $1,500, if you’re looking for quality at an affordable price, this could be the pool heater you need.
Its natural gas burner produces 266,000 BTUs and is passed through a copper heat exchanger to provide enough heat for underground or above ground pools of about 20,000 gallons or less.
This lightweight, high performance pool heater is backed by a two-year warranty, boasting a best-in-class efficiency rating of 82% with minimal exhaust emissions.
The Raypak 240,000 BTU heater model PR266AENX51 features continuous spark ignition for reliable starting. This feature, along with its reasonable but modest price (around $2,570), puts this heater in third place.
Its premium construction includes Raypak cupro-nickel heat exchangers, stainless steel natural gas burners, polymer manifolds and digital displays protected by a powder coated galvanized outer surface. This heater is ideal for above ground or in-ground pools and the company offers a warranty of up to three years.
Smaller above ground pools also need heat, and the FibroPool FH055 pool heat pump is the perfect choice to provide that heat. The Model FH055 FibroPool pool heater uses 220 volts to generate 55,000 BTUs of heat for above ground pools up to 13,500 gallons and below 10,000 gallons below ground.
For under $2,000, you can get a powerful heat pump with a Copeland brand titanium heat exchanger and compressor that will provide long-lasting performance in any type of pool, including saltwater pools.
Our next favorite pool heater is the 266,000 BTU Raypak Model PR266AENC50 heater. This heater is our best propane gas counterpart. It has everything its close relative has and only costs a little more, around $2,369. The automatic bypass system provides high flow rates up to 125 GPM for high energy efficiency.
All Raypak premium heaters are backed by a three-year warranty and are ideal for above and below ground pools up to 20,000 gallons. For the best warranty, the product must be installed by a Raypak certified installer and registered with the company.
Next comes the Hayward heat pump model W3HP50HA2 HeatPro. This pool heater costs around $2,100 and is great for keeping small pools and spas at a comfortable temperature. 220 volts gives 50,000 BTUs, which is a bit weak. However, this is easily compensated by a titanium heat exchanger, a programmable timer, digital control and energy efficiency.
HeatPro heat pumps are certified by AHRI for energy efficiency. The low-noise fan ensures quiet operation, making it ideal for indoor installations.
Raypak model 9225 is their digital propane pool heater and is the next option on our list. Featuring all the premium parts you’ve come to expect from a Raypak heater, this heater also features a sophisticated microprocessor-controlled thermostat that you can set and forget.
The heater burns propane gas and generates 266,000 Btu of heat. It is ideal for above ground and in-ground pools and comes with a standard Raypaks warranty of up to three years. It costs just under $2,100.
Raypak also made our list with one of their smaller models. The 105,000 BTU Raypak Model PR106AENC Heater is ideal for small pools and spas of 10,000 gallons or less. For around $1,300, you can pack all of the Raypak’s high-performance features into a compact package.
It uses Raypak’s Unitherm regulator to minimize condensation at low water temperatures, so it’s perfect when you need to quickly heat up your pool on cold days.
EcoSmart SMART POOL 18 Electric tankless pool heater, 18 kW, 240 V, 75 A, with self-regulating technology
EcoSmart Smart POOL 18 electric tankless heater made our list due to its unique application. For smaller pools or spas of 11,000 gallons or less, it can be used as a heat pump for continuous heating, or as a booster for any type of pool heater for economical heating acceleration.
Generates 61,419 BTUs using 75 amps of 240 volts of electricity, providing fast heating up to 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit per hour. Its digitally programmed thermostat and state-of-the-art flow sensor technology provide outstanding accuracy and reliability, all for $816 with change.
EcoSmart Smart POOL 27 is another tankless heater that is different from a heat pump. It has a more compact heat exchanger that transfers heat to the water as it flows through the system. This is our ninth overall pick. It has all the same features but in a larger body for pools up to 15,000 gallons.
The Smart POOL 27 produces 92,128 BTUs, costs about $860, and comes with a solid two-year warranty. Remember that these heaters must be installed indoors to protect them from corrosion caused by the weather. This requires space for three 40 amp electrical switches. However, it does not need to be taken outside.
Determining the ideal temperature for your pool depends a lot on who will be using it the most and what they are doing. The typical temperature range for most ages and activities is 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing for moderate to vigorous activity, swimming and comfortable play.
Younger children who are learning to swim are advised to stay in the water longer if the temperature is slightly above average (about 84 degrees). Seniors who use the pool for relaxation and light activities will benefit from a heated pool of approximately 86 degrees.
Installing a pool heater can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $8,000, with the cost of the heater and installation labor averaging around $3,000. Heater price and installation details are the most important factors in determining the total cost.
Expect plumbers to make $50 to $200 an hour, just like electricians. Relocating your heater’s air ducts or installing a new electrical or gas network in its place can add significant costs to the total cost, ranging from $500 to $2,000.
The choice of the best pool heater depends largely on the size of the pool, its climate and fuel source.
There are three main types of pool heaters. Choosing one of them usually comes down to the cost of the installation compared to the total running costs.
The most commonly used pool heaters are those that run on natural gas or propane because they are inexpensive to install and heat up the pool quickly.
Electric pool heaters are more expensive than gas models but have lower overall running costs. Electric heaters heat the pool more slowly than gas heaters, but are more environmentally friendly.
Solar pool heaters are expensive to install, but great for the environment and require little to no maintenance other than water pumping. Solar water heaters may also qualify for tax credits to offset their cost.
To choose between a gas pool heater and an electric pool heater, first determine which one is easiest to install in the area where the heater is located. If none of them provide an advantage, compare installation costs with operating costs and reliability and balance them with your budget.
Gas heaters are generally cheaper to install than electric heaters, but are less reliable than electric heaters, and are generally slightly more expensive to operate and maintain. Electric heaters are more expensive to install, but they are generally durable and require little maintenance, and may be cheaper to run depending on the cost of utilities in your area.
The two factors that determine how many BTUs your pool heater should provide are the size of the pool and the climate you live in. In general, a good rule of thumb for finding the smallest size that suits your needs is to divide the surface area of ​​the water in square feet by three and then multiply the result by 1000.
For example, if your pool is 20 feet by 30 feet, the total surface area is 600 square feet. Divide by three to get 200, then multiply by 1000 to get 200,000. Pool heaters have a minimum rating of 200k BTUs.
As a general rule, you will need to round up from the minimum BTU amount. If your pool requires 200,000 BTUs, consider using a 250,000 or more heater. For pools in cooler climates, consider increasing the temperature to 300,000,000 and adding a pool shed when the pool is not in use.
Many pool heaters are suitable for both above and below ground pools. However, underground pools usually contain much more water. They need pool heaters designed for in-ground pools with higher flow rates and more BTUs to provide the higher performance needed to maintain a constant temperature in an underground pool. Large above ground pools can also benefit from the added functionality of a high power heater.
Above ground pool heaters are generally less expensive than in-ground pool heaters. However, above ground heaters often do not provide enough water to service an underground pool.
Matching your heating output needs (measured in BTUs) with available fuel sources is a great starting point for narrowing down the list of pool heaters that fit your needs.
Simply put, a pool heater is probably the most important pool accessory you will own. Just having a pool heater can mean the difference between your pool being an oasis of fun and a hole full of water. that’s why.
Thinking about swimming later this year? There is a pool heater. In certain climate zones, the swimming pool may be open all year round. For cooler places, there are a limited number of months of the year when it is desirable or even possible to run a pool. To extend the swimming season in these areas for as long as possible, efficient pool heating will maximize the time you can enjoy swimming.
Even if you live in a warm climate, the temperature difference between day and night can be large. Regardless of the weather, the pool heater will always keep your pool at a comfortable temperature. This means you can spend more time enjoying your investment.
Pools are expensive. A well maintained pool almost always provides a financial benefit when it comes time to sell your home. At the same time, any money spent to make your pool more fun can also be considered an investment. Installing a pool heater will help you get the most out of your pool investment.
Purchasing a pool heater is a major investment and the right decision needs to be made to ensure you get your money’s worth. Here are some other factors to consider when buying a pool heater:
Efficiency is a key factor when choosing a pool heater. As you probably already know, pool heaters transfer energy to the water by raising its temperature. The higher the efficiency, the less energy is required to reach the desired temperature.