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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 be confusing 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.
The Ecosmart SMART POOL tankless pool heater tops our list of the best electric pool heaters for 2023. 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 up to 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit per hour.
It is compatible with above ground pools and spas, has accurate temperature settings to within one degree with digital control, a state-of-the-art flow sensor and comes with 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
Next come the next of kin of our first-place winner. For smaller above ground pools and spas, EcoSmart offers the SMART POOL 18 electric pool heater at a great price.
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 another heater. To raise the water temperature quickly, this heater is ready to operate on demand.
It has the same bells and whistles as its big brother and is also covered by the EcoSmart Lifetime Limited Warranty. Compact and powerful, it 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 up to a 20,000 gallon underground or above ground pool with a heating capacity of 90,000 BTUs.
The price tag at first glance seems expensive, especially given the two-year warranty. However, its corrosion resistance to titanium heat exchangers, salt air and water ensures 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 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.
This is a powerful heat pump with a titanium heat exchanger and a Copeland brand compressor for long-term operation in any type of pool, including saltwater pools.
Our third little brother is the Hayward W3HP50HA2 HeatPro heat pump. It’s smaller, but just as powerful. This heat pump produces 50,000 Btu. Enough to warm a 12,000 gallon pool.
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 this heat pump for its high efficiency.
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 have the luxury of having 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 probably means you want to keep your pool at a constant temperature. A medium to low heat pump will be the most efficient heater for this purpose.
For a pool or spa that is only heated on weekends, you need a powerful heater that heats up quickly. The solution could be an on-demand electric heater used to boost 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 required, or heating may only be required at night.
Cold weather is another matter. Maintaining a comfortable swimming temperature in colder regions almost always required a lot of heating power, or at least often. 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.
An electric pool heater will cost you 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 whether you decide to do the installation yourself. The installation cost also depends on whether you currently have electricity around your pool or if you are considering an electric pool heater when building your pool.
If you have electricity around your pool, installation should cost between $300 and $500. If you need to install electrical wiring in the pool area, installation costs can increase significantly. It is also important to note that electric pool heaters have an initial purchase cost and a long-term running cost.
Still in doubt about choosing an electric pool heater? The following are important considerations to help you make your decision.
The starting price of an electric pool heater is usually much lower than its 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 rapid heating, electric heaters will cost more than other heaters. The savings can be significant, but only if you live in the right climate zone.
Battery heaters are easier to install than other types of heaters. Most of them can be located outside or in a barn with poor ventilation. Some of them can be easily installed indoors. Many do not need to ventilate to the outside, as gas heaters do. 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. An electrician may need to make changes before installing an electric pool heater.
Electric pool heaters do not emit carbon dioxide by themselves. With most energy providers phasing out environmentally harmful power generation, pool owners have the opportunity 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 become less efficient in very hot or cold weather. Solar pool heaters can only provide heat when the sun is shining.
You can expect an electric pool heater to provide reliable heating for about 10 to 15 years. There’s not much maintenance to do other than keeping them clean and making sure the water runs. However, an annual inspection by a licensed pool contractor will ensure longevity and can reduce overall pool maintenance costs.
To rank the best electric pool heaters, Forbes Home Improvement magazine analyzed third-party data from 10 major companies, and each product’s star rating was determined by evaluating various metrics, including:
The best electric pool heater is the one that offers its owner the most flexibility in use. A device that reliably and efficiently maintains the water temperature, as well as being able to quickly heat the pool when needed, will best suit the needs of most pool owners. Our favorite offering these qualities is the Ecosmart US SMART POOL Tankless pool heater.
If you live in 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. However, in terms of reliability and flexibility, battery heaters offer advantages that gas heaters usually cannot match.
Aside from the different power sources used to run gas and battery heaters, the main difference is how they achieve similar goals. Both types of heaters are designed to keep the pool water at a comfortable temperature while you use the pool or spa.
Best of all, gas heaters remain inactive most of the time and then quickly heat up the water before bathing. Electric heaters are best at maintaining a comfortable temperature.
Whether you’re looking to cut costs or prefer to do things yourself, installing an electric pool heater is something you can certainly do yourself.
Because your electric pool heater requires 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 places, you may want to consider installing long lengths of PVC pipe to your pool pump.
Once you have decided on a location for your electric pool heater, you will need to find a location for your pool filter outlet hose. Place a marker next to the water hose connector on the heater where you will 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 that exits the filter and sends the water into the pool. Cut off a section of the water pipe between the two marks. Once complete, cut two pieces of PVC pipe to the exact length needed to run from the water connection on the heater to the elbow fitting that will connect to the water pipe.
Then attach a PVC elbow fitting to the end of the pool filter’s outlet pipe and insert one of the cut pieces of PVC. Then connect the fitting to the water inlet of the water heater by inserting one end of the PVC pipe into the elbow and the other half into the water heater fitting. 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 water 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. A full pool heating can cost upwards of $400 a month, or as little as $100. Just be sure to carefully invest in the equipment that best suits your needs to keep your energy costs reasonable.
Dean has over 30 years of experience in the housing, contracting, refurbishment, maintenance and home improvement industries and now provides information and financial content for several publications as a freelance writer and consultant. Throughout his career, he has strived to help his clients unlock the potential hidden within the walls of every home and empower them to take control of their home renovations and remodeling. Dean’s main career goals are to share family-related knowledge and provide 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 experience in the home improvement industry and has used her experience working for companies such as HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angie’s List).