Heat Pumps vs. Gas Heaters: Which Heating System Is Best?

When the weather cools down, a pool without a heater can sit unused for months. A heater extends your swim season, and in South Florida it can make the pool usable nearly all year. The two most popular options are heat pumps and gas heaters, and each has real pros and cons.

Gas Heaters

Gas heaters burn natural gas or propane to heat the water directly. Their biggest advantages:

• They heat fast.
• They work just as well on a cold night as a warm day.
• They usually cost less up front than a heat pump.

The trade-offs:

• They cost more to run, since you pay for fuel every time they operate.
• They need natural gas service or a propane tank at your equipment pad.
• Burners and ignition parts need regular inspection.

Electric Heat Pumps

Heat pumps use electricity to pull heat out of the air and move it into your pool. Their biggest advantages:

• They usually cost much less to run than gas when you heat the pool regularly.
• There is no flame and no fuel to store.
• Many models, like AquaCal’s TropiCal line, can also cool your pool in summer.

The trade-offs:

• They cost more up front.
• They heat more gradually than gas.
• They slow down as the air gets colder, so a cold snap means slower heating.

If you are weighing running costs against FPL’s latest rate increase, variable speed heat pumps are worth a look. Instead of cycling on and off at full power, they adjust their speed to match what your pool needs. We install AquaCal’s variable speed line, which can reach a C.O.P. of 10.5 or higher.

Which Pool Heater Works for My Pool?

A heat pump is usually the better fit if:

• You swim regularly and want to keep the pool warm most of the year.
• Lower monthly running costs matter to you.
• You do not have gas service at your equipment pad.

A gas heater is usually the better fit if:

• You only heat the pool occasionally and want it warm fast.
• You have a spa you want hot quickly.
• You already have natural gas or propane at your equipment pad.

Some homeowners use both: a heat pump for everyday heating and a gas heater for quick spa heat or cold snaps.

Get Pool Heaters Professionally Installed

Florida Pool Heating has been heating South Florida pools for over 30 years. We sell, install, and service heat pumps and gas heaters from every major brand, with AquaCal as the heat pump brand we install most. Call 954.341.2002 or contact us to find the right heater for your pool.

Related pages

• Best Gas Pool Heaters
• AquaCal T135 Pool Heater Service & Repair – PoolHeat
• AquaCal T90 Pool Heater Service & Repair – PoolHeat