Pool Heaters and Heat Pumps: Solar, Gas & Electric

Extend your pool’s season by investing in a pool heater. Easily raise your pool water’s temperature by degrees at a time. Choose from a gas heater, an electric heat pump, or a solar heater system. Whatever your needs, you’ll be able to find the perfect heater for you and your pool. 

If you have more questions about heaters or want more information, visit our Buyer’s Guide and FAQ page. You can also Contact Us to speak to a trained pool specialist.

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Should I choose a solar, electric, gas, or heat pump pool heater?

Choosing the right type of pool heater will depend on your specific needs and the environment in which your pool sits.

Solar pool heaters use the heat of the sun to warm your pool water. Pool water circulates through solar panels where it’s warmed by solar energy before returning to the pool. Once installed they’re low maintenance, have a long lifespan, and are environmentally friendly. However, initial installation can be expensive, and they depend on the availability of sunlight which means they may not work in cooler or cloudy climates.

Gas pool heaters use either natural gas or propane to heat your pool water quickly, making them ideal for on demand pool heating. They can allow you to significantly extend your swimming season, and aren’t dependent on the environment that you live in. However, they have high ongoing costs, and are less energy efficient than other heating options.

Electric heat pumps capture heat from the air and transfer it into your pool water. They’re energy efficient and cost-effective to run, especially if your climate is warmer. They provide a consistent heat and can help you to maintain a comfortable pool temperature throughout your swimming season. However, they’re an expensive investment, and are less effective in colder environments as they rely on the heat of the surrounding air.

Do I need an above ground or inground pool heater?

You need a heater designed for your specific pool type. Above ground pools generally require smaller heaters that are suited to heating smaller volumes of water, while inground heaters require higher BTUs to heat the larger, more permanent structure of your inground pool.

What size pool heater do I need?

You need to calculate the surface area of your pool in order to find the right number of BTUs you require to properly heat your pool.

To calculate your surface area:

Rectangular or Square Pool:

Length x Width

For example, for a 12' x 24' rectangular pool:

12' x 24' = 288 sq. ft.

Round or Circular Pool:

3.14 x Radius²

For example, for a 15' round pool:

3.14 x 7.5 x 7.5 = 176.6 sq. ft.

Oval Pools:

3.14 x Length x Width x 0.25

For example, for a 15' x 25' oval pool:

3.14 x 15' x 25' x 0.25 = 294.4 sq. ft.

Kidney Pools:

Measure the widest point in both half of the kidney shape to get your A and B width measurements.

(A + B) x Length x 0.45

(16' + 20') x 34' x 0.45 = 550.8 sq. ft.

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To calculate the minimum BTUs needed, take your calculated surface area and divide it by 3, before multiplying it by 1,000.

Here are some minimum BTUs for some standard pool sizes:

Rectangular
Pool Dimensions	Surface Area	Minimum BTU
12' x 24'	288 sq. ft.	96,000 BTU
16' x 32'	512 sq. ft.	170, 667 BTU
16' x 36'	576 sq. ft.	192,000 BTU
18' x 36'	648 sq. ft.	216,000 BTU
21' x 41'	861 sq. ft.	287,000 BTU

Round
Pool Dimensions	Surface Area	Minimum BTU
15'	176.6 sq. ft.	58,875 BTU
18'	254.3 sq. ft.	84,780 BTU
20'	314 sq. ft.	104,666 BTU
24'	452.2 sq. ft.	150,720 BTU
27'	572.3 sq. ft.	170,755 BTU
28'	615.4 sq. ft.	205,147 BTU
30'	706.5 sq. ft.	235,500 BTU
33'	854.9 sq. ft.	284,955 BTU

Oval
Pool Dimensions	Surface Area	Minimum BTU
11' x 25'	215.9 sq. ft.	71,958 BTU
15' x 25'	294.4 sq. ft.	98,125 BTU
15' x 30'	353.3 sq. ft.	117,750 BTU
16' x 32'	401.9 sq. ft.	133,973 BTU
18' x 33'	466.3 sq. ft.	155,430 BTU
18' x 36'	508.7 sq. ft.	169,560 BTU
18' x 38'	536.9 sq. ft.	178,980 BTU
20' x 40'	628 sq. ft.	209,333 BTU

How much does a pool heater cost?

The ultimate price of a heater depends primarily on the heater type and your pool size. The average to buy and install a pool heater ranges from $1,500 to $6,000, but can range widely if you need new utility lines run in your backyard.

What is the best pool heater for my pool?

The ideal heater for your pool depends on your climate, how quickly you want to heat the water, and your budget.

For warm climates, solar heaters may be enough to heat your pool. They can take much longer to heat the pool depending on the amount of sunlight the heater receives, and don’t work at night, but they’re the most environmentally friendly option while being extremely durable and using free heat from the sun.

If you live in a warmer climate, you could consider an electric heat pump to capture heat from the air and transfer it into your pool water. They’ll provide a consistent heat and maintain a comfortable pool temperature. They are, however, an expensive investment and less effective in colder climates.

If you want to heat the water quickly, then gas pool heaters may be the best option. They can increase the water temperature by 1 - 3 degrees Fahrenheit per hour, no matter what climate they are in. You will, however, need either a natural gas line or propane tank to fuel the heater, and they’re not as eco-friendly as other options.