Pool Heater Cost Comparison

Written by on July 21, 2020

Electric and Gas Pool Heater Cost Comparison

A pool heater lets you swim earlier in the spring, later in the fall, and through most of a South Florida winter. The two main choices are an electric heat pump or a gas heater, and they cost money in different ways. One costs more to buy, the other costs more to run. Here is how to think about both.

What Goes Into the Cost of a Gas Heater

  • The heater itself.
  • Installation, including gas line work.
  • Fuel. If your home has natural gas, the heater can connect to it. If not, you will need propane, which means a tank, and depending on local rules, that tank may need to be buried.

Gas heaters usually cost less up front than heat pumps, but you pay for fuel every time they run.

What Goes Into the Cost of a Heat Pump

  • The heat pump itself.
  • Installation, including electrical work.
  • Electricity to run it.

Heat pumps usually cost more up front than gas heaters, but they are much cheaper to run. That is because a heat pump moves heat from the air instead of burning fuel, delivering several units of heat for every unit of electricity it uses. For example, Pentair lists a C.O.P. of about 6 for Gulfstream’s HE models, and AquaCal’s variable speed heat pumps can reach 10.5 or higher.

What Affects Your Monthly Running Cost

  • Your electric rate or gas price. FPL’s rates went up in 2026, which makes efficient equipment matter more.
  • How warm you keep the water. Every extra degree costs more to maintain.
  • Pool size and whether you have a spa.
  • Wind, shade, and sun on the pool.
  • Whether you use a pool cover. Covering the pool at night holds heat in, so the heater runs less.

How You Use the Pool Matters

A gas heater heats quickly, so you can fire it up only when you plan to swim. A heat pump heats more gradually and is best at holding a steady temperature, so it is usually set to keep the pool warm rather than started from cold each time. It does not run nonstop. It cycles on and off to hold your set temperature.

If you swim regularly, a heat pump will almost always cost less to run over time. If you heat the pool only once in a while, a gas heater’s higher fuel cost may matter less.

Solar Is Also Available

If you want an energy-conscious option and your roof gets good sun, solar pool heating is available too. It uses the sun to warm the water, works best with unshaded roof space, and heats more slowly than a heat pump.

Get a Real Number for Your Pool

The honest answer to “what will it cost?” depends on your pool and your equipment pad. We have been heating South Florida pools for nearly 40 years, and we will give you a free estimate on the heater and the installation, and walk you through what it should cost to run. Financing is available. Call 954.341.2002.

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