Above Ground Pool Heater: Solar or Electric Heat Pump or Propane

Summer is all about soaking up the sun and enjoying the great outdoors, but before you know it, those warm days start to slip away. While folks in tropical climates might not mind, if you’re in a cooler area or just want to keep your swimming season going a bit longer, an above ground pool heater is a game changer.

In this post, we’ll dive into the different types of heaters, weigh the pros and cons of each, and explain why they’re a must-have for many pool owners. I’ll also guide you through the three main types of heaters available today.

So, let’s jump right in

The Best Ways to Heat Your Pool: Options and Considerations

Considering Costs and Environmental Impact

Let’s be honest—cost is a big factor when choosing a heater. They can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, and that’s just the initial purchase. Don’t forget about the ongoing operating costs.

If keeping your pool warm and extending your swimming season is a priority, go for it! But if you’re unsure, take a moment to consider your options. Some heaters, like solar ones, may cost more upfront but save you money over time due to their energy efficiency. Plus, they’re better for the environment.

Solar heaters and heat pumps are great alternatives to propane/traditional gas. They not only keep your pool warm but also help reduce your carbon footprint—a win-win for your wallet and the planet.

When it comes to heating your above-ground pool, there are three main types of heaters to choose from: Solar, Propane/Gas and Heat Pump.

Solar Pool Heaters: An Eco-Friendly Option

Solar heaters use the sun’s energy to warm up your pool water, making them a great choice for both the environment and your wallet. These systems usually have solar panels that soak up sunlight and pass the heat to your pool through connected tubes

Best for:

• Frequent Use: Perfect for regular use in sunny regions, where it can efficiently keep your pool warm.
• Sunny Climates: Ideal for areas with plenty of sunshine and mild winters, like Southern California or Arizona.

How Solar Pool Heaters Work

They use solar panels to absorb energy from the sun and transfer that heat to your pool. The system typically includes the following components:

1. Solar collectors: These panels are usually installed on your roof or a nearby structure with good sun exposure.
2. Filter: The existing pool filter removes debris before water is sent to the solar collectors.
3. Pump: This circulates water through the filter and solar collectors.
4. Flow control valve: This automatic or manual device diverts pool water through the solar collectors.

Water gets pumped through a filter and then flows to the solar collectors. As it moves through the collectors, the sun’s energy heats it up before sending it back to the pool. This process repeats all day long, slowly but surely warming up your pool.

Pros:

• Friendly – Budget: It are simple and affordable, with few electrical parts. Plus, you can save even more by DIYing it yourself.
• Energy efficiency: It use the sun’s free, renewable energy, making it the most cost-effective way to heat the pool.
• Low operating costs: After installation, they have minimal ongoing expenses since they don’t need fuel or electricity to run.
• Eco-friendly: Solar heaters don’t produce emissions and leave a tiny carbon footprint, making them kind to the environment.
• Long lifespan: With proper care, it can last 15-20 years or even longer.
• Dual functionality: Some systems can also cool your pool during extremely hot weather by running at night.

Cons:

While solar pool heaters have many benefits, here are a few things to think about before making a decision:

• Space requirements: Solar collectors need quite a bit of space, usually about 50-100% of your pool’s surface area.
• Climate dependency: They work best in areas with plenty of sunlight, so they might not be ideal for places with lots of clouds or short summers.

Heating Time, this can be both a plus and a minus, depending on what you need:

• If you’ve turned off your pump and want to jump into the pool right away, a solar heater will warm the water gradually (several days), so it might take longer to get to the temperature you want compared to a gas or electric heat pump.
• On the other hand, if your pump runs on a schedule, the solar heater will automatically start working whenever the sun is out, keeping your pool warm throughout the season. This way, your pool is ready whenever you are.

Propane/Gas Pool Heaters: Powerful Performance for Rapid Heating

Propane or Natural Gas heaters are known for their ability to quickly and efficiently warm up above-ground pools, making them a great choice for those who need rapid temperature increases or live in cooler climates.

These heaters burn Propane/Natural gas to generate heat, delivering strong performance that can significantly extend your swimming season.

While I group propane and natural gas together, there are some differences to note:

• Propane often require a dedicated propane tank. The liquid propane is converted to gas and burned to generate heat. You’ll need to make sure your tank is properly sized to provide a steady fuel supply.
• Natural Gas can connect directly to a natural gas line, usually provided by your local utility company. These are often preferred for their convenience, especially if natural gas is easily available in your area.

Best for:

• For Hot Tubs: If you’re looking to heat your hot tub or jacuzzi to high temperatures, propane or natural gas heaters are usually the best options.
• For Quick Heating: Propane and natural gas heaters can raise your pool’s temperature by 2-4°F per hour, making them ideal for quickly warming up the pool, especially for last-minute use or when the weather cools down. They’re generally faster than solar heaters and heat pumps.

How Propane It Work

1. Pool water is pumped through a filter to remove debris.
2. The clean water then enters the heater and flows through a series of coils or a heat exchanger.
3. Propane/Gas ignites in a combustion chamber, creating heat.
4. As the water moves through the coils or heat exchanger, it absorbs the heat from the combustion chamber.
5. The heated water is then pumped back into the pool, raising its overall temperature.
6. This cycle continues until the pool reaches the desired temperature, with the heater turning on and off to maintain that warmth.

Pros:

• Rapid heating: Propane heaters can quickly raise the pool’s temperature, often faster than electric or solar options.
• High heat output: It can keep your pool warm even in cooler climates or during chilly evenings.
• Consistent performance: Propane heaters work efficiently no matter the outside temperature or weather conditions.
• Versatility: Propane heaters can be used with both above ground and in-ground pools, offering flexibility.

Cons:

• High Fuel costs: The price of propane can vary, which might lead to higher running costs compared to other heating options.
• Installation requirements: Propane heaters need proper ventilation and a dedicated gas line, which can add to the complexity and cost of installation.
• Environmental impact: Propane is a fossil fuel, so its combustion produces carbon dioxide emissions.
• Maintenance: Often require more regular maintenance to operate safely and efficiently.

Electric Heat Pumps: Energy and Cost Savings

They are becoming a popular choice for heating above ground pools because they offer energy efficiency and cost savings. These systems work by capturing heat from the air and transferring it to your pool water, striking a balance between performance and energy conservation.

Best for:

• Warmer Climates: They use the surrounding air to warm the pool, making them perfect for areas with warm temperatures.
• Regular Use: While it may not heat the water quickly, it’s the best option for maintaining a consistent pool temperature, ideal for those who use their pool regularly.

How Heat Pumps Work

Heat pumps work in a way that’s similar to air conditioners, but in reverse:

1. A fan pulls in outside air and blows it over an evaporator coil filled with liquid refrigerant.
2. The warm air makes the refrigerant turn into a gas.
3. This gas then moves through a compressor, which raises its temperature and pressure.
4. The hot gas flows into a condenser, where it transfers its heat to the cooler pool water circulating through the pump.
5. As the refrigerant cools, it turns back into a liquid, and the cycle starts over.

This process lets heat pumps efficiently warm your pool using minimal energy.

Pros:

• Energy efficiency: They can transfer more energy to your pool than they use, making them very efficient.
• Low operating costs: While the initial cost might be higher, these systems generally have lower long-term operating expenses compared to propane or electric heaters.
• Environmentally friendly: They produce no on-site emissions and have a smaller carbon footprint than fossil fuel-based heaters.
• Dual functionality: Many can also cool your pool during extremely hot weather by reversing the heat transfer process.
• Long lifespan: With proper care, they can last 10-20 years.

Cons:

• Initial cost: The upfront investment for a heat pump can be higher than other types of pool heaters.
• Climate dependency: Heat pump work best in areas where temperatures are usually above 50°F (10°C) and might struggle in colder climates. But when the outside temperature falls below 45°F (7°C), they become less efficient since there’s less ambient heat to draw from. In extremely cold weather, they might struggle to keep the pool at your desired temperature. Additionally, in dry conditions, heat pumps may lose some efficiency because there’s less moisture in the air to help absorb and transfer heat.
• Heating time:  Warm your pool gradually, so they might take longer to reach the desired temperature compared to gas heaters.
• Space requirements: They need enough space around them for proper air circulation.

When to Use a Heater for an Above Ground Pool?

USMS recommends keeping your pool temperature between 78-82°F for ideal swimming. Naturally, the season will influence how warm or cool your pool water is

• Spring: As spring arrives and temperatures start to warm up, many people begin heating their pools around late March to early April. This is especially common in areas where it can still get chilly, with temperatures dipping into the 50s or 60s°F (10-20°C).
• Summer: During the summer, heating your pool might not be necessary unless the nights are unusually cool, causing the water temperature to drop. Some people still prefer using a heater to keep the water consistently warm, especially for evening swims or pool parties.
• Fall: As the weather cools down in late September and October, we start using heaters more often. It’s common to turn on the heater when the water drops below 75°F (24°C), with most aiming for a cozy 80°F (27°C) to keep swimming enjoyable. In northern areas, some might even start heating their pool in early September as the temperatures begin to fall.
• Winter: In places with mild winters, heaters can keep your pool warm enough for a swim even during the colder months. However, in colder regions, using a heater in winter might be less practical because of higher energy costs and less frequent pool use. So, if you don’t plan to use your pool in the winter, closing the pool is essential

Choosing the Right Above Ground Pool Heater

So the question is: Which Heater is right for your above ground pool? This depends quite a lot on factors.

Pool Size

The bigger your pool, the more powerful heaters you’ll need, measured in BTUs (British Thermal Unit). In the context of pool heaters, it represents the amount of heat a unit can add to your pool in one hour. The higher the BTU rating, the more heating capacity the unit has.

According to ThePoolFactory, here’s a simple way to estimate the capacity:

• 4 BTUs per gallon of water for normal summer conditions (average 70°F ambient temperature)
• 5 BTUs per gallon for spring and fall conditions (average 60°F ambient temperature)
• 6 BTUs per gallon for extended season use (ambient temperature below 60°F)

For example, a 10,000-gallon pool would require at least:

• 40,000 BTUs for summer use
• 50,000 BTUs for spring and fall use
• 60,000 BTUs for extended season use

Here’s a reference table to help, but keep in mind it’s just an estimate. Actual needs can vary based on factors like humidity, wind speed, ambient temperature, and how the heater is installed.

So, if you’re using a low power heater, it’s normal for the heating process to take anywhere from 1 to 2 days.

Climate and Location

While the upfront cost of a pool heater is important, don’t forget to consider its operating costs, which can vary depending on where you live and the type of energy you use:

• Electric Heat Pumps: These use about 5,000 watts (or 5 kilowatts) per hour for every 100,000 BTUs. With an average electricity rate of $0.16 per kilowatt-hour, it costs around $0.80 for one hour.
• Propane/Gas Heaters: A propane heater burns roughly 1 gallon per hour per 100,000 BTUs. For a 400,000 BTU heater, this means 4 gallons per hour. With propane prices ranging from $4.50 to $5 per gallon, the hourly cost for a 400,000 BTU propane heater is about $18 to $20.
• Natural Gas Heaters: These use about 1 therm per hour for every 100,000 BTUs. So, for a 400,000 BTU heater, it’s 4 therms per hour. At a cost of about $1.50 per therm, that’s around $6 per hour.

Note: This is just an estimate. So to improve heating efficiency and reduce operating costs, I recommend investing in a cover (Solar cover or solar blanket). It helps minimize heat loss and keeps your pool warmer for longer

For metal frame pools like Intex, Bestway, and Coleman, which aren’t as “permanent” as hard-sided pools, I’d recommend going with solar heaters or heat pumps. They’re easy to set up with your existing above ground pool and require minimal maintenance, making them a simple and effective choice.

While Propane and Natural gas heaters are also great options, they do require more effort—like setting up a fuel tank or connecting to a gas line—so the installation can be a bit more complex and might need a professional.

Ultimately, it comes down to what fits your needs and budget. If you’re looking for something straightforward and efficient, solar or a heat pump is the way to go..

Comparison

• Solar Heaters: Best for consistent use; minimal operating costs.
• Propane/Gas Heaters: Fastest way to heat; high operating costs.
• Electric Heat Pumps: Efficient for maintaining temperature; slower for occasional use.