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There is no shortage of options when shopping for a pool heater. The most versatile option is an electric pool heater. Versatility is almost always advantageous, but can cause confusion when making a purchase decision. With so many of the best pool heaters on the market, how do you decide which one is best for you?
We’ve compared the best electric pool heaters, rounded up the top five and shared them here. To help you further, we have compiled important information that you need to know in order to make a decision. Read on to learn about our range of efficient, reliable and affordable electric pool heaters.
First on our list of the best electric pool heaters for 2023 is Ecosmart’s US SMART POOL waterless pool heater. This unusual heater can be used not only as a stand-alone heater, but also in combination with any other pool heater as an amplifier. You can get a tankless water heater on request with a heating capacity of 92,128 BTUs that can heat an 11,000 gallon pool or spa by 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit per hour.
It is compatible with above-ground pools and spas, has precise temperature control to within one degree, digital controls, a state-of-the-art flow sensor, and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Please note that it is not weatherproof, so it must be installed indoors. If you don’t have much space on your switchboard, installation cost can be an important factor. Three forty-amp circuit breakers are required for operation.
EcoSmart SMART POOL 18 Electric tankless pool heater, 18 kW, 240 V, 75 A, with self-regulating technology
He is followed by the person closest to our first winner. For smaller above-ground pools and spas, EcoSmart offers an inexpensive SMART POOL 18 electric pool heater without a tank.
It has a heating capacity of 61,149 BTUs and is suitable for heated pools less than 10,000 gallons. Its real strength lies in its effectiveness when combined with other heaters. To raise the water temperature quickly, this on-demand heater is ready and ready.
It has all the same features as its big brother and is backed by the EcoSmart Lifetime Limited Warranty. It is compact, powerful and can heat small amounts of water just as quickly. Two forty-amp circuit breakers are required for operation.
Is there a large heated pool? Check out Hayward HeatPro. Number three on our list, this is a full size electric heat pump that can be used to heat inground or above ground pools up to 20,000 gallons and has a heating capacity of 90,000 BTUs.
At first glance, the price might seem a little high, especially given the two-year warranty. However, its titanium heat exchanger and corrosion resistance to salt air and water provide exceptional durability. It also has an ultra-quiet fan and is AHRI certified. Heaters work best when maintaining the temperature in the pool for a long period of time, and not when heated quickly.
Smaller above ground pools also need heat and the FibroPool FH055 pool heat pump is best suited to provide that heat. The Model FH055 FibroPool Pool Heater operates on 220 volts and produces 55,000 BTUs of heat for above ground pools up to 13,500 gallons and underground pools up to 10,000 gallons.
This is a powerful heat pump with a titanium heat exchanger and a Copeland proprietary compressor that ensures long-term operation in any type of pool, including saltwater pools.
Our third little brother is the Hayward W3HP50HA2 HeatPro heat pump. It is smaller, but no less effective. This heat pump produces 50,000 Btu. That’s enough to warm 12,000 gallons of pool water.
It has all the benefits of Hayward, including a two-year warranty, corrosion resistance, titanium heat exchanger and silent fan operation. AHRI has also certified the high efficiency of the heat pump.
There are several factors to consider when choosing the best electric pool heater. Considering the following factors may make your decision easier.
Pools of different sizes have different heating needs. Spas require the rapid heating of small amounts of water to relatively high temperatures. Large pools can be cooler due to slower heating. Regardless of the type of pool you are heating, in most cases more is better, but this can be negotiated depending on budget and pool usage habits.
For a small spa, consider using an on-demand heater or a powerful heat pump. Large pools offer the luxury of more heating options. In any case, pool size is only one factor to consider when making a decision.
How you use your pool will have a lot to do with which heater is best for your needs. Daily use of your pool may mean that you need to maintain a constant pool temperature. A heat pump with a low to medium output will be the most efficient heater for this purpose.
For a pool or spa that is only heated on weekends, you’ll need a powerful heater that heats up quickly. One solution could be to use an on-demand electric heater as a power booster for an existing pool heater.
Climate is probably the most important factor to consider when choosing a particular electric pool heater. It goes without saying that the colder it is outside, the more heat output you will need. In warmer climates, only a small amount of heating may be needed, or only at night.
Cold weather is a different story. Maintaining a comfortable swimming temperature in colder regions almost always requires high heating power, or at least often requires high heating power. This is especially true if you are heating up the spa on cold winter evenings.
As a rule, the lower the average temperature in your area, the more heating power you will need.
Electric pool heaters cost between $1,500 and $3,000. However, there are several factors that can affect the cost of an electric pool heater. For example, the installation cost will vary depending on which installation company you choose, or if you choose to do the installation yourself. Installation costs also depend on whether you have electricity around your current pool, or if an electric pool heater was considered when your pool was built.
If you have electricity around your pool, installation should cost between $300 and $500. If you need to install electrical wiring near the pool, installation costs can increase significantly. It is also important to note that electric pool heaters come with initial purchase costs and long-term running costs.
Still in doubt about choosing an electric pool heater? The following are important factors to consider to help you make your decision.
The starting price of an electric pool heater is usually much lower than gas or solar competitors. They are more energy efficient than small pool and spa gas heaters that maintain a constant temperature. Note, however, that for cold climates or for quick warm-ups, electric heaters are more expensive than other heaters. The savings can be significant, but only if you live in an area with a favorable climate.
Electric pool heaters are easier to install than other types of pool heaters. Most of them can be located outdoors or in poorly ventilated sheds. For some of them indoor installation is possible and easy. Many do not need to be ventilated to the outside like gas heaters. You only need the available power to get to work quickly. In some cases, installing an electric pool heater can be done by hand.
Keep in mind that their electricity needs may exceed the current capacity of your home. It may be necessary to make changes by an electrician before installing an electric pool heater.
By themselves, electric pool heaters produce no CO2 emissions. As most energy providers move away from environmentally harmful power generation, there is an opportunity for co-owners to reduce their carbon footprint. If your energy company supplies you with wind or solar energy, then using an electric pool heater will have little or no negative impact on the environment.
Electric pool heaters are the most reliable source of heat for your pool. If your house does not lose power, you can heat your pool. Gas heaters can be adversely affected by wind or rain and may be less efficient in hot or cold weather. Solar pool heaters can only provide heat when the sun is overhead.
The reliable service life of electric pool heaters is estimated to be around 10-15 years. There’s not much maintenance to do other than keep it clean and keep the water flowing. However, an annual inspection by a licensed pool contractor will ensure its longevity and can reduce your overall pool maintenance costs.
To rank the best electric pool heaters, the Forbes Home Improvement editorial team analyzed third-party data from 10 major companies, evaluating various metrics to determine each product’s star rating, including:
The best electric pool heaters offer owners maximum flexibility. A device that reliably and efficiently maintains the water temperature, and quickly heats up the pool when needed, will best meet the needs of most pool owners. Our favorite offering these qualities is the Ecosmart US SMART POOL Tankless pool heater.
If you live in an area with a relatively warm climate, electric pool heaters have a lower total cost of ownership than gas heaters. In cooler climates, the use of energy can lead to large financial costs in the long run. But when it comes to reliability and flexibility, electric pool heaters offer benefits that gas heaters often can’t match.
Aside from the different energy sources used to run gas and electric pool heaters, the main difference is how they achieve similar goals. The purpose of both types of heaters is to keep the pool water at a comfortable temperature while you use the pool or spa.
This is best handled by gas heaters, which remain idle most of the time, and then quickly heat the water before bathing. Electric heaters are best at maintaining a comfortable temperature.
Whether you’re looking to keep costs down or prefer to do things yourself, installing an electric pool heater is something you can certainly do yourself.
Because electric pool heaters require electrical outlets, you need to choose a location near the outlets, pool pump, and pool filter. If you don’t have space near any of these three locations, you may want to consider installing long lengths of PVC pipe to your pool’s pump.
Once you have determined where your electric pool heater will be located, you need to find where to place the pool filter outlet hose. Make a mark next to the heater water hose connector where you can connect the supply to the heater. Mark a second line 6 inches from the first line, where the water from the heater will connect to the pipe coming from the filter and supply water to the pool. Cut off a section of the water pipe between the two marks. When finished, cut two pieces of PVC pipe to the exact length needed to run from the water connection on the heater to the bend in the fitting that will be connected to the water pipe.
Then attach a PVC elbow fitting to the end of the pool filter outlet pipe and insert one of the cut PVC pieces. Then insert one end of the PVC pipe into the elbow and the other half into the fitting of the water heater, connecting the fitting to the water inlet of the water heater. Then glue the elbow and heater fitting together. Repeat this process for the heater outlet that supplies water to the pool.
Complete the electric pool heater installation by connecting the heater AC cable, turning on the pool pump and filter, and testing the water near the heater inlet.
Water is very resistant to heat. Therefore, a lot of energy is required to heat the pool. Add to that cold air, wind and cold rain, and heating your pool can be an energy-intensive task. It can cost up to $400 a month, or as little as $100 for a full pool heating. Just be sure to carefully invest in the product that best suits your needs to keep your energy costs reasonable.
With over 30 years of experience in home building, contracting, refurbishment, home maintenance and repair, Dean currently contributes to information and financial materials as a freelance writer and consultant for several publications. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to helping clients unlock the potential hidden within the walls of every home and empower them to take control of their own home renovations and renovations. Dean’s main career goals include sharing family-related knowledge and providing self-contained tools to the widest possible audience.
Lexi is an assistant editor and writes and edits articles on various family-related topics. She has over five years of experience in the home improvement industry and has put her experience to good use while working for companies such as HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angie’s List).