Pool Gas Heater Versus Electric Heat Pump Comparison

[@tonymidmore7652]

At our vacation home in Lake Havasu, AZ the winter weather draws the pool temp down to where it’s not useable. The summer weather brings it up to where it’s uncomfortable. I installed a heat pump heater/chiller (it uses a reversing valve, like a home heat pump/air conditioner). Warms it in the winter and cools it in the summer.

[@generessler6282]

See your subs growing! Well deserved. Congrats!

[@clarkboy058]

We extend our pool season by almost two months with a Pentair Ultra temp 140 heat pump. When the temps start dropping into the 50 and 60s at night we like to night swim when the water is around 90 degrees. We have an auto cover so it helps with maintaining the water temperature throughout the night. The heat pumps runs pretty much all through the night to keep those temps. It does raise the electric bill, but it’s worth every penny!

[@NukesOfHazzard]

I have a Hayward heat pump in S. Ontario and it works great from early May until October. No issues maintaining 83 degrees and very cheap to operate compared to gas.

[@monoralph1375]

Our electric Hayward heat pump is the largest available at 140,000 btu/hr. Pool size 21,000 gallon in ground. In south east Pennsylvania, we have found that below about 60* Fahrenheit air temperature, the heat pump cannot provide enough heat to maintain 85*F water temperature. The heat loss from the pool is equal to all the heat the heater can provide. We use a solar cover at the end of the swim day but still can lose 3*F overnight when the outdoor temperature drops to ~ 60*. We have about 2 to 3 weeks of pool season (after labor day) before we give up on heating and prepare for closing.

[@Paul-jp8zz]

I have the same heat pump on a slightly larger pool in western NY, and have had no problem maintaining 85* until well into October, using a proper solar cover. edit to add: similar with early spring openings, first week of May.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Good info - thank you. Noting the comment below about a larger pool using the same heat pump to better effect this could be relating to where the heat pump is installed. Many people just put them in the equipment area, but a heat pump performs best when in an area with maximum heat and exposure to direct sun.

[@joemomma707]

Your videos are the best! I’m in Southern California. I am getting a pool built. My spa will be 7x7. I will get everything heated but my main concern is being able to use the spa whenever I want. My house only came with electric. Will I be able to heat the spa and use it on cold days?

[@Jason-uw3wn]

I put in solar and built a ground ground mount. Found almost new on Facebook marketplace and maybe 1300 all in including all clamps, ground mount new pipes to connect them etc. did all the work myself and love it. In Florida it’s a great option if you can find the right one. Small pool about 9k gallons and four panels which is more than enough

[@jamesortolano3983]

Great comparison, were talking electric cost @ KWH . Versus the cost of gas @ MBTU's , in your area . That's sometimes a huge difference, so yeah great comparison. Do the research for your given area , ive put in pool . Thanks again swimming pool Stevs !

[@stephenyoungblood3683]

Sunshine on 200’ of dark water hose on the concrete around my pool in the spring; connected to one of the returns until temp is brought up to usable temps. I know this wouldn’t work in the north if you wanted to swim all year. We’re in the south.

[@generessler6282]

Clever!

[@foxvader1]

We are looking at a home with an INDOOR pool in northeast Ohio. It currently has heat pump and cost $950 a month for the winter months to heat. I'm thinking it would be more efficient to change it out to a gas heater. thoughts ?

[@l0I0I0I0]

How about a solar water heater?

[@nickyalousakis3851]

solar works. but it has to be in a sunny spot and ideally you want the solar panels on a swivel to angle it as the season changes.

[@blueferral3414]

We went with a heat pump. We live in a location where the temp in winter rarely gets below 40F 4C. The heat pump can cool the water too which is much more important in our summers. The water with out cooling can easily get to almost 100F 38C.

[@gregjohnson2073]

Wow where do you live? Mine gets to only 92 degrees in the summer in Palm Desert.

[@theFlesrouy]

What about Hybrid heaters? Is that the best of or the worst of both?

[@Banned02]

I’ve heard of using a heat exchanger to use heat from an existing AC unit. I’ve considered this but haven’t done much research yet. Is this recommended?

[@storyman34]

Up here in Canada, I'm going stick with a gas heater. Heat on demand, not based on outside air temp. Our season is short enough, save money somewhere else and put it towards your gas bill, or you shouldn't be a pool owner.

[@GibnFritzinger]

i have a propane heater

[@nickyalousakis3851]

eventually you're going to run out of topics to discuss here lol. maybe you can shed your thoughts on wood fired pool heaters. or even making a wood fired heater.

[@gregjohnson2073]

No such thing nimrod.

[@nickyalousakis3851]

@@gregjohnson2073 -- steve... got a drunk around here.