pool-heater-comparison

Solar Pool Heaters

Heat Pump Heaters

Gas Heaters

Performance & Use

• Best for recreational use
• with pool temperatures
• ranging from low-mid 80s.

• Works year round in
• southern climates

• Extends swimming season in
• northern climates. Several
• sunny days brings pool back
• to a comfortable temp.
• after inclement weather.

Performance & Use

• For those who enjoy
•swimming regardless of the
• weather.

• Maintains any desired pool
• temperature between 80º
• and 90º when the outside air
• temperature is above 45º.

• Also recommended when a
• home is not "solar feasible"
• e.g. solar will not fit on roof.

Performance & Use

• Ideal quick heating for
• short periods.

• Maintains any desired
• temperature regardless of
• the weather.

• Best for pools or spas that
• are not heated on a regular
• basis. Gas is effective but
• expensive to operate

Solar Pool Heaters

Heat Pump Heaters

Gas Heaters

How Does It Work?

• Solar Heaters utilize the sun
• to heat the water in the
• panels, usually located on
• the roof, your existing pool
• pump circulates the water
• from the panels to the pool.

How Does It Work?

• A Heat Pump uses electricity
• to operate. It absorbs and
• collects energy from outside
• air. This energy is
• compressed and transferred
• to the pool water.

How Does It Work?

• Burns natural or propane fuel
• in a combustion chamber
• where the heat is transferred
• to the pool water. Requires a
• storage tank for propane gas,
• or hookup to natural gas.

Solar Pool Heaters

Heat Pump Heaters

Gas Heaters

System & Installation Cost

System kit cost range:
$1000 - $4800

Installation cost:
$500 - $2500

Typical 15x30 free-form pool:
7 (4x12) Deluxe Kit $1900
$2800 Standard Installation

Plus Optional Controllers

System & Installation Cost

System unit cost range:
$2400 - $4600

Installation cost:
$350 - $950

Typical 15x30 pool:
$3200 Unit
$4200 Installed

System & Installation Cost

System unit cost range:
$875 - $5400

Installation cost:
$350 - $850

Typical 15x30 pool:
$1300 Unit
$1650 Installed

The size and cost of a pool heater depends on the size of your pool and the
conditions at your location. A range of costs are outlined above, plus the cost
for a typical 15' x 30' Kidney Pool with a screen enclosure in central Florida.

Solar Pool Heaters

Heat Pump Heaters

Gas Heaters

Energy Rating & Efficiency

• Rated by FSEC (Florida Solar
• Energy Center) in BTUs per
• SqFt. The higher the BTU,
• the more heat output. The
• average output is 900-1000
• BTUs. This equates to 3-7%
• difference between brands.

• To determine the best value,
• divide the total cost by the
• total SqFt of panel. The
• lower the cost per SqFt, the
• better the value.

Energy Rating & Efficiency

• Not rated by any governing
• body. Manufacturer
• determines the BTU at a
• specific water/air temp. and
• relative humidity value. Also
• given a COP (coefficient of
• performance) rating,
• generally 3-6 which converts
• to an efficiency of 300-600%.

• To accurately compare one
• unit to another, these test
• values must be the same, or
• the comparison will be
• distorted.

Energy Rating & Efficiency

• Gas Heaters are rated in BTU
• output, and are tested by
• government standards. Their
• efficiency ranges from 60% to
• 80%. Efficiency may decrease
• over a period of time due to
• scaling in the burner or heat
• exchanger.

Solar Pool Heaters

Heat Pump Heaters

Gas Heaters

Cost of Operation

• Solar is a free energy source
• and has no cost of operation.
• The pool pump must run for
• the solar heater to function,
• and may increase your
• electric bill by $30 to $75 per
• year depending on your
• normal filtering time.

Cost of Operation

• Due to their high efficiency,
• heat pumps have a low cost
• of operation. Typically, for
• every 20 cents of electric
• input, you receive $1.00
• worth of heat. The typical
• pool averages $250 to $500
• per year for heat.

Cost of Operation

• The low efficiency of gas
• heaters result in a high cost
• of operation. $1.00 worth of
• heat requires $1.20 or more
• of fuel. The typical pool
• averages $1000 to $1500 per
• year for heat with propane.
• Natural gas is approximately
• 50% less.

Solar Pool Heaters

Heat Pump Heaters

Gas Heaters

Size Heater Required

• Sizing is based on the pool's
• surface area, geographical
• location, environmental
• conditions such as shading
• and wind, blanketing against
• night time heat losses, and
• direction of the roof.

• Click here to calculate the
• size for your specific pool.

• Proper sizing is critical for
• good performance.

Size Heater Required

• Sizing is based on the
• swimming pool's surface
• area, geographical location,
• environmental conditions
• such as shading and wind,
• blanketing against night time
• heat losses, and more.

• Click here to calculate the
• size for your specific pool.

• Proper sizing is critical for
• good performance.

Size Heater Required

• Sizing is based on the time
• required to heat pool. If rapid
• heat is desired, a larger unit
• is required. If water is
• gradually heated and
• maintained at that temp., a
• smaller unit may be used.

• Click here to calculate the
• size for your specific pool.

• Proper sizing is critical for
• good performance.

Keep in mind that a Thermal Pool Cover is recommended for all heating systems.
Heating a pool without a cover is like heating a house without a roof... the heat just
goes right out the top. Without a pool cover, the cost of operating a Heat Pump or
Gas Heater is doubled, and a Solar Heater's effectiveness is dramatically decreased.
For convenience a roller may be added to ease placement and removal of the cover.
If a pool cover is not be used, the size of the heater must be increased by 100%.
Pool covers range in cost from $48 to $118 for residential pools; rollers start at $179.

Solar Pool Heaters

Heat Pump Heaters

Gas Heaters

Longevity and Maintenance

• A quality Solar Heater will
• typically last 10 to 20 years.

• Very low maintenance.

• Most systems have a 10
• year warranty on the
• panels.

Longevity and Maintenance

• Heat Pumps will last between
• 5 and 15 years or more.

• Because heat pumps have
• many moving and electrical
• parts, they require periodic
• service by a A/C technician.

• Warranties from 1-15 years

Longevity and Maintenance

• Gas Heaters typically last 5
• years or more.

• Due to the high operating
• temperature inside a gas
• heater, maintenance may be
• more frequent, and major
• repairs can be costly.

• Warranties from 1 to 5 years

Do-it-yourself Installations

All three types of pool heaters can be installed by the handyman, although it is strongly recommended that electric and gas hookups be made by a professional contractor. The typical installation will require 1 to 2 days for solar, less than 1 day for heat pumps, and about half a day for gas.

View and purchase all Pool Heaters at The Energy SuperMarket, Solar Direct's online
resource for energy efficient products.


Solar Pool Heaters	Heat Pump Heaters	Gas Heaters
Performance & Use • Best for recreational use • with pool temperatures • ranging from low-mid 80s. • Works year round in • southern climates • Extends swimming season in • northern climates. Several • sunny days brings pool back • to a comfortable temp. • after inclement weather.	Performance & Use • For those who enjoy •swimming regardless of the • weather. • Maintains any desired pool • temperature between 80º • and 90º when the outside air • temperature is above 45º. • Also recommended when a • home is not "solar feasible" • e.g. solar will not fit on roof.	Performance & Use • Ideal quick heating for • short periods. • Maintains any desired • temperature regardless of • the weather. • Best for pools or spas that • are not heated on a regular • basis. Gas is effective but • expensive to operate
Solar Pool Heaters	Heat Pump Heaters	Gas Heaters
How Does It Work? • Solar Heaters utilize the sun • to heat the water in the • panels, usually located on • the roof, your existing pool • pump circulates the water • from the panels to the pool.	How Does It Work? • A Heat Pump uses electricity • to operate. It absorbs and • collects energy from outside • air. This energy is • compressed and transferred • to the pool water.	How Does It Work? • Burns natural or propane fuel • in a combustion chamber • where the heat is transferred • to the pool water. Requires a • storage tank for propane gas, • or hookup to natural gas.
Solar Pool Heaters	Heat Pump Heaters	Gas Heaters
System & Installation Cost System kit cost range: $1000 - $4800 Installation cost: $500 - $2500 Typical 15x30 free-form pool: 7 (4x12) Deluxe Kit $1900 $2800 Standard Installation Plus Optional Controllers	System & Installation Cost System unit cost range: $2400 - $4600 Installation cost: $350 - $950 Typical 15x30 pool: $3200 Unit $4200 Installed	System & Installation Cost System unit cost range: $875 - $5400 Installation cost: $350 - $850 Typical 15x30 pool: $1300 Unit $1650 Installed
The size and cost of a pool heater depends on the size of your pool and the conditions at your location. A range of costs are outlined above, plus the cost for a typical 15' x 30' Kidney Pool with a screen enclosure in central Florida.
Solar Pool Heaters	Heat Pump Heaters	Gas Heaters
Energy Rating & Efficiency • Rated by FSEC (Florida Solar • Energy Center) in BTUs per • SqFt. The higher the BTU, • the more heat output. The • average output is 900-1000 • BTUs. This equates to 3-7% • difference between brands. • To determine the best value, • divide the total cost by the • total SqFt of panel. The • lower the cost per SqFt, the • better the value.	Energy Rating & Efficiency • Not rated by any governing • body. Manufacturer • determines the BTU at a • specific water/air temp. and • relative humidity value. Also • given a COP (coefficient of • performance) rating, • generally 3-6 which converts • to an efficiency of 300-600%. • To accurately compare one • unit to another, these test • values must be the same, or • the comparison will be • distorted.	Energy Rating & Efficiency • Gas Heaters are rated in BTU • output, and are tested by • government standards. Their • efficiency ranges from 60% to • 80%. Efficiency may decrease • over a period of time due to • scaling in the burner or heat • exchanger.
Solar Pool Heaters	Heat Pump Heaters	Gas Heaters
Cost of Operation • Solar is a free energy source • and has no cost of operation. • The pool pump must run for • the solar heater to function, • and may increase your • electric bill by $30 to $75 per • year depending on your • normal filtering time.	Cost of Operation • Due to their high efficiency, • heat pumps have a low cost • of operation. Typically, for • every 20 cents of electric • input, you receive $1.00 • worth of heat. The typical • pool averages $250 to $500 • per year for heat.	Cost of Operation • The low efficiency of gas • heaters result in a high cost • of operation. $1.00 worth of • heat requires $1.20 or more • of fuel. The typical pool • averages $1000 to $1500 per • year for heat with propane. • Natural gas is approximately • 50% less.
Solar Pool Heaters	Heat Pump Heaters	Gas Heaters
Size Heater Required • Sizing is based on the pool's • surface area, geographical • location, environmental • conditions such as shading • and wind, blanketing against • night time heat losses, and • direction of the roof. • Click here to calculate the • size for your specific pool. • Proper sizing is critical for • good performance.	Size Heater Required • Sizing is based on the • swimming pool's surface • area, geographical location, • environmental conditions • such as shading and wind, • blanketing against night time • heat losses, and more. • Click here to calculate the • size for your specific pool. • Proper sizing is critical for • good performance.	Size Heater Required • Sizing is based on the time • required to heat pool. If rapid • heat is desired, a larger unit • is required. If water is • gradually heated and • maintained at that temp., a • smaller unit may be used. • Click here to calculate the • size for your specific pool. • Proper sizing is critical for • good performance.
Keep in mind that a Thermal Pool Cover is recommended for all heating systems. Heating a pool without a cover is like heating a house without a roof... the heat just goes right out the top. Without a pool cover, the cost of operating a Heat Pump or Gas Heater is doubled, and a Solar Heater's effectiveness is dramatically decreased. For convenience a roller may be added to ease placement and removal of the cover. If a pool cover is not be used, the size of the heater must be increased by 100%. Pool covers range in cost from $48 to $118 for residential pools; rollers start at $179.
Solar Pool Heaters	Heat Pump Heaters	Gas Heaters
Longevity and Maintenance • A quality Solar Heater will • typically last 10 to 20 years. • Very low maintenance. • Most systems have a 10 • year warranty on the • panels.	Longevity and Maintenance • Heat Pumps will last between • 5 and 15 years or more. • Because heat pumps have • many moving and electrical • parts, they require periodic • service by a A/C technician. • Warranties from 1-15 years	Longevity and Maintenance • Gas Heaters typically last 5 • years or more. • Due to the high operating • temperature inside a gas • heater, maintenance may be • more frequent, and major • repairs can be costly. • Warranties from 1 to 5 years
Do-it-yourself Installations All three types of pool heaters can be installed by the handyman, although it is strongly recommended that electric and gas hookups be made by a professional contractor. The typical installation will require 1 to 2 days for solar, less than 1 day for heat pumps, and about half a day for gas. View and purchase all Pool Heaters at The Energy SuperMarket, Solar Direct's online resource for energy efficient products.