Nothing spoils the mood of a pool party like a cold plunge pool.Fortunately, there is an easy fix: a pool heater.The benefits of enjoying the pool more frequently quickly outweigh the cost of a pool heater.There are several pool heaters to consider, including solar, electric, gas, and propane.Your pool maintenance company can help you decide which pool heater is best for your pool.On average, a typical pool heater costs between $1,782 and $4,011, with a national average of $2,860.Get ready to dive into the benefits of pool heaters and what to expect when budgeting for pool heater costs.Looking to install a pool heater?A professional can do it for you.Get free, no-commitment project estimates from experts near you.Find professionals +
After throwing in the cost of a pool, you might wonder if it’s worth paying a few thousand dollars more just to make it more comfortable.Heating a swimming pool may seem more of a luxury than a necessity, but in many cases it helps the pool be more practical and functional for you and your guests.Here are the main reasons why pool heaters are so beneficial.
If you’ve never owned a swimming pool and live in a warm climate, you might think that the pool will stay warm enough in winter because of the sunny weather.Sadly, that’s not the case as the seasonal temperature doesn’t stay high enough to keep the pool at a comfortable temperature.For those living in cooler climates, there are pool heaters that can get the job done, despite the very low temperatures.Pool heaters are the best way to enjoy a deep-sea dip any time of year.
Installing a swimming pool or buying a house with a swimming pool is a major investment, so adding a pool heater allows homeowners to use the swimming pool for longer periods of the year, resulting in a longer return on investment.This is the lucky part of having a pool in a cool climate: with the help of a solar, gas or electric pool heater, it can be used and enjoyed all year round.
Homeowners install pools to give their family and friends a place to play and relax, but many also install them for low-impact cardio.Swimming burns a lot of calories and is also easy on the joints.Pool heaters make it possible to enjoy this healthy exercise more frequently throughout the year.
Enjoying your pool pool heater year round may be the answer.Get free, no-commitment project estimates from an installation expert near you.Find professionals +
Fortunately, the cost of installing a pool heater is easier to understand than trying to estimate the cost of building a pool.This is especially true if the original structure is ready to be attached in anticipation of the addition of a pool heater.In this case, you just need to determine the type of pool heater you prefer, which will mostly depend on your location, climate, and size of your pool, and let the professionals take care of the rest.
Pool heaters use four heating methods: solar, electric, gas/propane, and heat pump.The upfront cost of buying the device and the long-term cost of running it.You need to decide which heating method is right for your long-term energy costs.It may be cheaper to heat your swimming pool with electricity in some areas, but in others a gas or propane heater may be more cost effective.Search for “pool heater installers near me” to find qualified professionals who can help you choose the system that best suits your needs.
Labor accounts for less than half the cost of a pool heater.According to HomeAdvisor, the typical labor cost to install a pool heater is between $500 and $1,500.This cost will vary based on the type of pool heater and whether a gas or electric system needs to be connected from the house to the pool.
The amount of sunlight you get throughout the year can also affect the type of pool heater you choose, and therefore the cost of your pool heater.Areas with temperatures typically above 55 degrees have more options to choose from, as maintaining a large number of pools at higher temperatures can require a lot of energy.
Most homeowners considering the cost of a pool heater find themselves asking, “What size pool heater do I need?” The answer largely depends on the size of the pool.Pool experts estimate that a pool heater needs to generate 50,000 BTU of heat for every 5,000 to 10,000 gallons of water.The higher the unit’s BTU, the faster the pool will heat.In cooler climates, you may need to double this to get a large pool heated in a reasonable amount of time.
Sometimes homeowners are looking at the cost of pool heaters to find alternatives.Pool heater repair is not always an option, so you may need a professional to remove the old heater.And don’t forget to plan for your pool heater’s long-term operating costs.
Fortunately, the cost of removing an old heater is relatively low.The average cost to remove and dump is $25 to $50, but some pool heater installers do this for free when installing a new pool heater.
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No matter which type of pool heater you choose, there will be some operating costs involved.If your climate is compatible with solar pool heaters, you’ll still need some electricity bill to run the pump, but it’s usually only a few hundred dollars a year.Electric heaters can cost between $175 and $600 per month to run, while electric pumps can cost between $120 and $200 per month.Gas heaters average $200 to $400 per month, while propane heaters can range from $200 to $850 per month.All of these costs depend on your climate, pool size and local energy prices.
You may be wondering whether you need an above-ground pool heater or an in-ground pool heater, but the type of heating element or fuel really determines the type of pool heater that is best for your pool.When reviewing pool heaters for sale, consider the following differences between the types of pool heaters available and their associated costs.
A solar pool heater costs only $2,500 to $3,000, plus an average of $500 to $1,000 for manual installation.This is the most cost-effective way to heat a swimming pool, but it only works in really sunny climates with direct sunlight.With very little maintenance, you can heat your pool for a few hundred dollars a year, but this method won’t heat your pool any time soon because it relies on nature, not fuel.It will require solar panels to run at an additional cost of $3,000 to $4,000, but the system can also last up to 20 years.
For climates that rarely dip below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, resistance heaters may be a good choice.The system uses a coil to heat the water, and since it generates a lot of electricity, it needs to have its own circuit.Electric pool heaters have a lower upfront cost and can run on sunny days, but they cost more to run than other units.They are a great option for smaller pools located in warmer areas.An electric pool heater unit can cost between $1,500 and $4,000.
Opting for gas or propane heaters is a popular choice because they provide a reliable and sturdy fuel to heat your pool.These units cost an average of $1,500 to $2,500 and can be easily attached to existing production lines.Gas installations have lower monthly running costs, but propane is an easier option for homeowners who may live too far from municipal gas lines.Both natural gas and propane heat pools the fastest—even in cold climates.
A heat pump runs on electricity, but its function is to collect the hot air around it and use it to heat the water.Obviously, this means the system won’t work year-round in colder climates, but it’s great for homeowners who want to extend summer by a few weeks.The system also requires its own circuitry, but running it monthly is cheaper than a resistive heater.A heat pump unit costs $2,000 to $4,000.
A DIY installation for your new pool heater is only recommended in cases where the connections are already installed and you can easily handle the fuel source.Some homeowners’ pools have all the necessary wiring or utility plumbing installed so they can simply install the pool heater by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
If this is not the case, then this is definitely the work of a licensed professional, as municipalities often regulate any work involving utility installations.This is a dangerous job and it is best done by trained and certified personnel.Let’s say you choose to install a solar pool heater.In this case, you need the help of a professional installer who can calculate the correct number of solar panels, locate them, and install them for maximum benefit.Looking to install a pool heater?A professional can do it for you.Get free, no-commitment project estimates from experts near you.Find professionals +
Pool heating units are what they are, which means that once you decide on the type of unit that fits your pool size, the purchase price is basically fixed.The best way to save money on your pool heater is to reduce your long-term operating costs.Here are a few helpful ideas for saving money on pool heaters.
Figuring out what kind of pool heater you need to install can be tricky.You may be wondering if you need an above-ground pool heater or an in-ground pool heater, what the monthly cost is, and how long the unit will last.Use the following questions to help clear up any confusion when speaking with a pool heater installer.
With any purchase that is truly an investment, you want to feel confident in your decision.The right pool heater can help you enjoy your pool more often, as long as you choose the best heater for your pool and climate.To clarify any remaining questions you may have, consider the answers to the frequently asked questions below.
On average, an electric or solar pool heater should last 15 to 20 years, but gas or heat pump pool heaters typically only last 8 to 11 years.
In most cases, yes.Most pool heaters take at least a day or more to fully raise the temperature of the pool, but if they are left on, they do a very good job of maintaining that temperature.Instead of trying to warm up the entire pool, they just have to compensate for a slight drop in temperature.Using the pool naturally lowers the pool temperature, so if you use the pool a lot, it’s best to keep the pool heater running.
The exception is if you have a gas or propane heater.These units are powerful enough to heat most swimming pools quickly, so you probably won’t need to run them very often.
It depends on pool size, pool temperature, air temperature and type of pool heater, but averages 24 to 72 hours.Gas and propane heaters work fastest.Chilled pools in cold climates take longer to heat up than pools of the same size in warm environments.Solar heaters are also slow to heat swimming pools because they only work during the day.The heat pump can also heat the pool in the same 24 to 72 hours.
As always, it is advisable to work with licensed and insured professionals to ensure they are qualified to do the job and do it correctly.They should be familiar with all types of pool heaters and what works best for your location to maintain your preferred temperature.Always call some pool heater installation company and ask them any questions we recommend to better understand their expertise and qualifications.
HomeAdvisor has top-notch pool heater installation experts near you, ready to help.Get a free, no-commitment pool heater installation project estimate here.
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