Pool Heat Pump vs Gas Heater: Which is the Best

If you’re one of the US’s 10 million pool owners, you’ll know the frustration of struggling to keep your water at a consistent temperature. Water temperature is a bit like a mattress – you only notice it when it’s not right. And because It’s hard to relax when you’re shivering, we’ve put together some key facts about the best way to heat your pool. Whether you choose a heat pump or a gas heater, you need a consistent heat source that does the heavy lifting in the background, leaving you free to relax. 

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Each source has pros and cons, but we need to investigate the details to make an informed decision. Let’s examine the variables and choose the right heater for your pool.

Pool heaters keep your pool at a comfortable level for swimming. Unlike an electric kettle, they transfer heat to the water through a heating element. Here’s a quick snapshot of what this looks like:

1. Circulation: The pool main pump pulls water from the pool.
2. Heating: Water goes through the heater.
3. Redistribution: Heated water goes back into the pool.

Electric heat pumps and gas heaters are the most common heaters, and both have pros and cons. Heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat, whereas gas heaters burn fuel to heat the water directly. Let’s explore these in more detail.

Heat pumps work by extracting heat from the air. They work best in warm climates, making them perfect for many parts of the US, but they can still be effective in colder weather. Here’s a rundown of how they work:

• Heat pumps use air from the atmosphere, converting it into warm air with a compressor and refrigerant.
• They’re very efficient. Although they have a higher upfront cost, they give lower running costs over the longer term.
• Heat pumps have a lifespan of 10-15 years if they are correctly maintained.

In some climates, you may want your pool cooled instead of warmed. Some heat pumps offer this, with brands like Pentair, Hayward, and Jandy now selling ‘Heat and Chill’ Units that can heat and cool your pool. AquaCal now offers Heatwave for heating or TropiCool units for dedicated cooling. Jandy is the only manufacturer producing only Heat and Chill Units, making them quite a rare commodity.

If you’re considering a Heat and Chill heat pump, consider the following:

• They can cool down your spa for a cold plunge.
• They keep water cooler in the summer, so swimming is more comfortable.

They’re suitable for longer pool seasons where gradual heating is required. Proper installation and location are key as they need enough airflow.

Gas heaters heat up faster, so they are suitable for quick warm-ups and are less dependent on air temperature.

• Fuel Source: These heaters use natural gas or propane.
• Temperature Rise: They can heat pool water fast, often in a few hours.
• Cost: Lower upfront cost but higher running costs, especially in colder weather.

Gas heaters suit colder climates or those not using their pools often. Choosing between gas and heat pumps depends on your heating needs and local conditions.

When choosing a pool heat pump or gas heater, consider upfront costs, running costs, maintenance requirements, and heating capacity and speed. Knowing these will help you decide.

Installation Requirements

A 50-amp electric supply will need to be available at the equipment pad for a heat pump. Natural gas and propane heaters will need a gas line installed to connect to the pool equipment.

Compatibility with Existing Panels: Compatibility with other equipment is not a big issue for natural gas and propane heaters. However, matching the unit with the automation panel brand for heat pumps is essential. For example, AquaCal units pair best with Pentair panels.

Ensure the heat pump is compatible with your system’s automation panel to avoid integration issues.

Upfront Cost

The upfront cost will always be a deciding factor when considering a heat pump. Gas heaters are cheaper to buy and install and suit budget-conscious buyers. Prices range from $4,000 to $6,000.

Heat pumps are 20-30% more expensive than gas heaters, at $6,000 to $8,000. This is mainly because they have more advanced technology, which means more costly components. But this isn’t the whole story—heat pumps can be used for many years, so we need to weigh this upfront cost against the long-term savings we might make.

When choosing between an electric pool heat pump and a gas heater, consider the installation costs and the ongoing running costs. Here’s a breakdown of annual costs:

Electric Heat Pump

• Electricity Cost: $300 – $800 per season
  Heat pumps are very energy efficient; they draw heat from the air, not generate it. This efficiency keeps electricity costs low, especially in warmer climates.

Natural Gas Heater

• Annual Gas Cost: $500 – $1,200 per season
  Gas heaters heat up fast but consume more energy. Natural gas is cheaper than propane, but costs can increase in colder weather or when used frequently.

Propane Gas Heater

• Annual Propane Cost: $800 – $1,500 per season
  Propane heaters are a good option for homes without natural gas. But propane is more expensive, so it’s the most expensive option for pool heating over the season.

Heaters have two main enemies: water leaks and rodents.

Water Leaks: If the heater leaks, chlorinated water will corrode the system and sometimes require a complete unit replacement. Installing a heater with a bypass function, like Jandy’s VersaFlo Integrated Bypass, reduces this risk by allowing water to flow through it only when needed. Most pool owners use their heater less than 5% of the time.

Rodents: These pests can damage your heater. To avoid this, you can regularly inspect your pump for signs of rodents and then use pest control services if you have a problem.

Heat pumps are HVAC units for your pool and have their considerations.

Refrigerant Issues: Heat pumps use refrigerants like R-410A or R-32. These have the advantage of eliminating natural gas or propane leaks, but they need regular servicing. Handling refrigerants requires a certified HVAC professional, so scheduled maintenance is a must to ensure efficient operation.

Heating Capacity And Speed

Heating a pool is no small task, and the pool size is a significant factor in choosing the right heater. A bigger unit, like a 400K BTU heater, can heat a spa or pool faster, so it’s a popular choice for natural gas and propane heaters.

Gas heaters are ideal for quick heating times and are suitable for those who want to swim on short notice. Larger pools can heat the water for hours. Heat pumps are slower to heat a pool but maintain a consistent temperature, ideal for regular swimmers who want a stable, warm environment.

Several factors are involved when choosing between a po. We must consider our climate, budget, environmental impact, and maintenance preferences to make the right decisions for our needs.

Consider Your Climate

• Heat pumps work well in warmer climates but struggle in frigid temperatures.
• Most heat pumps work down to 50°F; some models (e.g., Hayward) work at 40°F.
• Natural gas and propane heaters work in colder weather and are suitable for winter use or cold night spa parties.

Evaluate Your Budget

• Heat pumps might have higher upfront costs, but they will be cheaper.
• Gas heaters can be purchased cheaper but can have higher monthly costs.

Maintenance

• Heat pumps must be regularly checked with occasional cleaning but with less maintenance costs.
• Gas heaters need more regular servicing due to gas-related issues.

Conclusion 

When choosing between a pool heat pump or gas heater, consider the following factors: heating speed, lifespan, energy efficiency, climate suitability, and cost. Gas heaters are suitable for last-minute swims; heat pumps take longer to heat the water. Heat pumps last 10-15 years, and gas heaters last 7-10 years. Heat pumps are more energy efficient, so they lower operating costs. They work best in moderate climates; gas heaters work even in colder temperatures. Heat pumps have higher upfront costs, but lower maintenance costs can offset that. The choice depends on your specific needs and circumstances; weighing these factors can help you make an informed decision.

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Swimming pool heat pumps offer warm pool water at a fraction of the cost of gas pool heaters, and unlike solar heaters, continue to heat the pool during cloudy, rainy periods.

Advantages of using a heat pump

Pool heat pumps work similar to a home heat pump. It acts like a reverse air conditioner, removing the ambient temperature in the air, with the use of an evaporator coil, liquid refrigerant and a compressor. The heat from the outside air is transferred to the pool water moving through the heat pump.

• No emissions and very low energy use
• Reliable heater, requires no maintenance
• No dangerous gas or flames used
• Easy to install, operate and troubleshoot
• Highly efficient, cheap to operate.

This blog will help you select the best pool heat pump for your pool size and usage patterns, and answer some questions about heat pumps along the way:

Sizing a heat pump

Pool heat pumps are typically matched to the number of gallons in your pool. If you don't know or aren't sure how many gallons you have, measure your pool, and use this pool volume calculator tool.

Some heat pump manufacturers don't list the gallons, but list their heaters in terms of the BTU output. Most models are in the range of 50K (50,000) BTU's - to 125K BTU's.

50K BTU heat pumps are meant for small pools, or aboveground pools, under 12,000 gallons. It will work on larger pools, but heating will be slow and total temperature rise may not be what you desire.

You'll need to consider pool size and the desired temperature change when selecting a heat pump for your swimming pool. Other factors, such as the average air temperature, humidity and wind speeds, will also influence a heat pump's ability to warm the pool water. Figuring on a temperature increase of 1-1.25 degrees per hour, you can use the following equation to get an approximate heat pump BTU requirement:

(Surface Area) x (Temperature Increase) x 12 = (Minimum BTU Needed)

For example, we'll use a rectangular pool 14 ft. wide by 28 ft. long. During the coldest month of use, the pool owner wants to increase the water temperature by around 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

(14 x 28) x 20 x 12 = 94,000+ BTU

BTU Guidelines

If you happen to know the volume of your pool in gallons, you can also follow this general guideline for heat pump BTUs:

Heat pumps max out around 135,000 to 150,000 BTU, so larger pools will take longer to heat. It's important to purchase a properly sized unit in order to maximize energy savings. Using a solar pool cover can also help reduce heat loss and boost efficiency.

The larger the BTU output, the faster the heating (still slow by gas pool heater standards) - and the greater temperature rise the pool heat pump can achieve. A nice sized heat pump can bring the pool up 30 degrees (or from 50 to 80 degrees).

Another factor that could affect the size of heat pump that you buy; if you have high winds and no pool cover, you will suffer from a great deal of heat loss off the top of the pool. If you do have wind blocks and/or an automatic pool cover, you could potentially buy a smaller heat pump.

Selecting a heat pump brand

With so many on the heat pump bandwagon, there are a lot of brands to choose from. Many of the names you may not recognize, like TropiCal and AquaCal. These companies are the originators of pool heat pumps, selling thousands throughout the  80's and 90's. As sales increased, big brands like Hayward and Pentair took notice, who are now making pool heat pumps as well.

To make it easier to choose from, we list 6 different pool heat pump models, from 4 manufacturers. Prices vary according to the features installed on these different models. Some of the most popular options out there that all models have is:

• Titanium Heat Exchanger
• Thermoplastic jacket or exterior
• Digital display, electronic controls
• Environmentally friendly R410A refrigerant

Some models will have more advanced diagnostic indicators (idiot lights), a super-quiet Scroll compressor, or a more compact design. Warranty is another point of differentiation between our 6 models of heat pumps. Finally, the high end pool heat pumps have the ability to also cool the pool, in the event that summer heat brings the pool water to unbearable temperatures!

Installing a heat pump

There's not much difference in installation methods among our pool heat pumps. There are some size considerations, so if you have a smaller space, look to the product dimensions in the brochure or the owner's manual (linked from our heat pump pages).

All heat pumps will need to be installed on a level platform or slab. You cut the pipe after the filter and any chlorinator, then connect the pool plumbing in and out of the heat pump. Heat pumps require a 30-60 amp breaker, depending on their BTU output size.

Your heat pump installation may require bringing more power to the equipment pad, or if you're lucky, you have enough room left to add the required breaker size to the panel. To be safe, use a qualified electrician to perform the electrical hook-up on your new heat pump.

Pool Heat Pump Buyer's Guide

Aqua Cal

One of the oldest and largest manufacturers of heat pumps. Aqua Cal does not make any other products besides heat pumps for pools in both residential and commercial applications. Their heat exchanger is titanium. Aqua Cal has an easy to read digital display, dual thermostat and whisper quiet fan motor. The thermostat has a lockout option, which prevents anyone from adjusting the pool temperature.

Aqua Pro

The AquaPro heat pump has a titanium heat exchanger with a 5 yr. warranty on the heat exchanger. Most of the units have a digital display with a dual thermostat. The housing on the heat pump is very durable and is weather resistant. Aqua Pro is one of the leaders in pool heat pumps, and one of the first manufacturers in Florida.

Pentair UltraTemp

The UltraTemp is Pentair's original heat pump with a titanium heat exchanger to help prevent and protect against chemical corrosion. The cabinet on the UltraTemp is weather resistant and will help ensure optimal performance during any climate. Available in three sizes, and comes in a heat/cool model to both heat and cool the pool, and comes with many advanced features and benefits.

Hayward HeatPro

Hayward purchased EUS in , and added the Heat Pro, which has a titanium heat exchanger to help prevent from chemical damage and also Hayward Quiet technology built into their heat pump. The compressor and fan blade helps reduce noise. Hayward Heat Pro has an Ultra Gold corrosion resistant evaporator coil which helps provide excellent durability even in coastal environments.

Raypak Classic Series

These heat pumps feature robust construction, and full featured design elements. Easy-to-use digital controller and simple water line hook ups make operation and installation a snap! ETL Listed and AHRI Certified. We also carry the Raypak Heat Cool Heat Pumps, to allow you to heat or cool the pool water, as needed.

TropiCal

An economical and environmentally-friendly way to heat your pool. Using titanium heat exchangers and TropiCal’s patented counter-flow water management system, this pump harnesses the power of its sealed ventilator motor. Microprocessor controlled auto defrost keeps the TropiCal running even when temps dip into the 40s.

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