The cost of heating a pool depends on several factors, including the size of the pool, the type of heating system used, and the temperature at which the water is heated. Liquid solar covers provide similar benefits as traditional pool covers but do not necessarily heat the water. To plan your pool heating expenses, consider factors such as pool volume, desired temperature increase, and energy cost.
As an outdoor swimming pool is heated when the load on a house boiler is at a minimum, it is possible to consider using the house boiler to provide swimming pool heating through a dedicated swimming system. The cost of heating a pool depends on several factors, including the size of the pool, the type of heating system used, and the temperature at which the water is heated.
Using one or more solar-powered pool heaters is the most cost-effective way to heat a pool due to the energy savings. Options like solar blankets, domes, and rings are inexpensive but produce great results. Heat pumps are most efficient when they’re heating outdoor air that’s above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
A pool loses surface heat once outdoor temperatures dip too low. If it drops to 50 degrees outside, it’s probably time to shut the heater off. The time of year and desired temperature also play a role in the cost of heating a pool. Doctors and Red Cross swimming experts recommend pool temperatures of from 78 degrees F for recreation and competitive sports swimming, to 90 degrees F or more. The general rule of thumb for an outdoor unheated pool is that it’s the average temperature for the preceding week.
A pool heater is typically sized to change the temperature of the water between 0.5 to 1.0 degrees F (0.3 to 0.6C) per hour, a very small amount.
📹 How Fast Can A Heat Pump Heat A Pool?
This video tests how quickly a heat pump can heat a 10,000-gallon pool. The pool owner starts with a water temperature of 56 degrees Fahrenheit and an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees. They monitor the temperature increase over several hours and discuss the factors that affect heating speed, including ambient air temperature and the use of solar blankets.
How much energy does a heated pool use?
A pool heat pump uses approximately 5 kilowatts per hour per 100, 000 BTU heat pump, with a national average of 13 cents per kilowatt-hour. Despite being more expensive than gas pool heaters, they typically have a reduced operating cost annually due to increased efficiency. With proper maintenance, these pool heaters can last longer and save more in the long run. A pool heat pump adds about $300 annually to your electricity bill, but since it is not costly, you can leave it on all the time.
What temperature should you swim outside in a heated pool?
Swimming requires careful consideration of various factors, including air temperature, wind speed and direction, and sunlight. Warm, not too hot temperatures, between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 27 degrees Celsius) are preferred, as extreme heat can cause dehydration and sunburn. Windy conditions can create waves and choppy water, making swimming difficult. A calm, gentle breeze is ideal. Sunlight, while providing warmth and a pleasant atmosphere, can cause sunburn and heatstroke, so precautions like sunscreen and hydration are essential.
How much does it cost to run my pool heater?
The cost of heating a pool with a natural gas heater depends on factors such as weather, pool size, and utility costs. Warmer climates use less fuel and energy, while larger pools require more energy. On average, a natural gas heater costs $200-$400 per month, or $3. 00 to $9. 00 per hour.
A propane gas heater is comparable to a natural gas heater, with units in the 150K-250K BTU rating range from $1, 500-$3, 000, and those with a 300K-400K BTU rating from $3, 000-$5, 000. These heaters use less fuel and are more efficient, but are more expensive to run due to the high cost of propane. A 300K BTU pool heater uses 3 gallons of propane each hour, resulting in an average cost of $6. 00 to $8. 00 per hour to heat a pool.
How much will pool heater raise temp?
The choice of pool heater depends on your goals and available utilities. Gas heaters can increase pool temperature by 30-40 degrees, making them ideal for vacation properties or intermittent use. However, running a gas line can be expensive, and propane service is an option. Propane service is cost-prohibitive, but requires a tank on site and is accessible for fuel delivery. Gas heaters can last 7-12 years when properly cared for.
Electric heat pumps are cost-efficient, costing around $1-2 per day and taking longer to heat water than gas. They may require more power to the pool’s electrical sub panel or an electrician to run a new line. Heat pumps can cool the water in the middle of summer if the pool gets too warm.
Solar panels require 6-8 hours of sunlight daily, typically a southern exposure, and require a booster pump to move the water to a higher elevation. They work best in warmer climates, as the pool water will not get much warmer than the ambient air outside. Solar heat is cost-effective, provides free heat from the sun, and can last for 10-15 years.
Should I run my pool heater all the time?
Conventional pool heaters should not be left on overnight due to potential energy bills. The decision to leave the heater on depends on usage and plans, with it being advisable to turn it off if you will be away for a few days or plan to swim during weekends. It is not necessary to leave the heater on throughout the entire week.
Maintaining the right pool temperature is crucial to prevent water contamination and ensure a safe swimming experience. Checking chemical levels and pH levels in the water is essential, as high pH levels can cause skin irritation and eye discoloration. Having a thermometer in the pool can help manage and monitor temperature changes, ensuring a worry-free swimming experience.
The time it takes for a pool heater to heat a pool varies, with small pools taking 45 minutes and average pools taking one to two hours to increase the temperature by 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The time it takes to heat an entire pool can vary depending on factors such as starting temperature, environment, desired temperature, and pool size.
How long does it take to heat a 20000 gallon pool?
The average size pool (around 15, 000-20, 000 gallons) can take 8-48 hours to heat by 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit. The heating time depends on the type of heater used, with gas being the most expensive and solar being the least expensive. Factors affecting heating time include the type of heater, the temperature of the pool, and the type of water. The efficiency of a pool heater can vary, but the same factors affect the heating time. Some factors that can affect the time it takes for a pool heater to heat include the type of water, the type of heater, and the type of water.
How warm will a heated pool get?
Homeowners typically aim for a 10° degree rise in temperature from the outside to the swimming pool, with most pools reaching 86°-88° degrees Fahrenheit (30°-31° Celsius). Spas are heated higher, sometimes to 104° degrees Fahrenheit (40° Celsius). Heat pumps have a safety limit of 104° for safety reasons. Location and weather conditions also affect the efficiency of the heat pump, with more warmth and humidity in the air resulting in better efficiency. Other factors affecting temperature include water features and wind conditions. Solar and liquid pool covers help trap heat in the pool.
How many degrees does a pool heater per hour?
Heating time for a pool depends on factors such as pool size, heater type, and temperature goals. Gas heaters can raise temperatures by 1-2. 5°F/hour, while heat pumps can raise temperatures by 0. 5-1. 5°F/hour. Small pools may need 10-20 hours to increase by 20°F with gas heating. Heat pumps are slower and can raise temperatures by 0. 5-1. 5°F/hour. Solar heaters and electric resistance heaters have varying efficiency based on sunlight exposure and operating costs.
Is it cheaper to keep a pool heater on all the time?
In order to reduce energy consumption and expenditure, it is recommended that the temperature of the pool be lowered or that the heating apparatus be deactivated when the pool is not in use for an extended period of time. The notion that heating a pool back up requires more energy than lowering the temperature is a fallacy. To receive updates on energy-saving tips for consumers and homeowners, please subscribe to Energy Saver.
What is the most efficient schedule for heating a pool?
To maintain a comfortable pool temperature, run your heat pump for a minimum of 16 hours per day and keep the pool cover on except when swimming. Factors influencing heating time include pool size and volume, desired water temperature, ambient air temperature, heat pump capacity, pool cover usage, sun exposure/shading, wind exposure, and humidity levels. This approach ensures your pool stays inviting and optimizes energy efficiency.
How much heat will a pool lose overnight?
A pool cover can significantly reduce the loss of heat in an uncovered pool by half, reducing the amount of heat lost. This can be achieved by using the cover at night or when the pool is not in use, thereby saving fuel costs and making the pool more “swimmable” by retaining the sun’s energy. The cover also prevents water evaporation, which is the main concern. A typical uncovered pool loses 1 to 1½ inches of water per week through evaporation, resulting in a heat loss of over 30 therms every seven days. Therefore, a pool cover is essential for maintaining a comfortable and efficient pool.
📹 How Much Does It Cost To Heat A Pool?
From http://www.swimmingpoolsteve.com/pages/heater-sizing.html Steve talks about how much is the natural gas and electricity …
The unit heats up fast and is super quiet. It looks fancy youtube.com/post/Ugkxl8Od2BvnGbn1ffwqsuFXW0QnmcZgMiVY and can be kept in the living room. It gets hot within a split second of turning on the unit. The build quality is exceptionally good and is safe to be around kids and pets. This one is super quiet and can be kept on while in office meetings, my wife loved it. It shows the temperature right on the unit which is very useful and adding a rotating feature helps to heat up the surrounding, so other people will not fight with you for heat. It is right as described in the description..!! Definitely recommend!!
So please correct me if I am wrong. A Heat Pump is good for keeping the pool at a constant temp over an extended period of time, and is less expensive then gas. But how long does it take to heat a jacuzzi to 100F? and what is the process/amount of time, say before a party, to heat up the jaccuzzi from 80F to 100F in summer in SoCal? Also, what’s stopping me from putting up solar panels to connect to the electric Heat Pump?
Not sure where you got the 0.1218 price.. but in California the price of 4.7m BTU’s = 48 Therms = $96. US Nationally (in 2020) around $60. And that may just be the gas and not delivery charges, etc. You are also not accounting for the pool being cooled while you are heating it. Rule of thumb is that you pay $100 a day to keep a pool warm on a cold day… every day. Love your articles.. but $16 is not a helpful number.
We live in the Tampa Bay area where the temperatures don’t drop below 50 degrees most of the year. Without heat, the pool is 62 in the middle of the winter months and 91 degrees the middle of the summer months. The pool is about 15,000 gallons. I’ve heard that the monthly cost to heat a pool to 84 degrees is about $150 a month using an electric heat pump, or $500 a month heating with natural gas. The heat pump takes twice as long to heat as natural gas heater. Some heat pumps have a chiller option, where the heat pump can cool the water, which is a useful feature in Florida, when the pool water temperatures are too hot. I’ve heard that the most practical solution is to use an electric heat pump with a chiller option for the pool and a natural gas heater for the spa, since the volume of water for the spa is about 500 gallons, and the natural gas heater heats the spa a double the speed compared to heating with a heat pump.
Live in San Diego. Have 18×48 above ground intex. Built two 4×4 solar boxes with 200 feet of black water hoes each. Panted flat black and used an old glass house window on one of them and the other two old glass shower doors on top of the other. Got it running or pumping through my sand filter intex. Got a PVC 3 way valve to switch from pool to heaters. Mid April I was in it. I can get the water temp up from 65 to 85 in 3 or 4 days. I also have a solar cover that stays on it when not in use. last year I had the temp up to 91 on a warm hot sunny day. It works great
I did not see your entire explanation but did you account for % efficiency of heater plus loss of heat to pool itself and ground temp plus with w/o cover and air temp and wind speed. Many variables left out and very difficult to account for but I would bet my pool that it will cost 5x what you estimated to raise a 24k gallon pool 25 or 30 degrees. $16 or $17 is frankly silly!
The real cost is the electric the pump uses! We have a Hayward 1.5 HP pump which used 955 Kwh in July running 24/7 or about 30Kwh per day. At our electric rate for the month it cost $227.67/ per day $7.34. Our pool is 20 x 40 with a deep end and has 30,000 gallons of water. Never used the heat pump as we let the sun do the work.
Same question as last time but my gas numbers were horribly wrong. I would like to maintain on a thermostat. I have a 16’x35’x4′ inground fiberglass saltwater pool with an autocover I am looking at a 150k natural gas heater. Current gas prices are $18.95 per thousand cubic feet . What would the cost be to raise temp say 5 degrees just to keep at say 87? The cover should retain most of the heat and slow water cooling. I just don’t see any articles on the ability of the cover to help hold in the heat. i would like to start my season a little earlier and extend a little more say 30 days each side. My pool is currently 71 degrees and full sun for about 6 hours a day.
I looked at your article. You are very informative. I am in the process of building a pool. Not sure which heater to use? Electric or gas? Based on what you are saying in the case of the swimming pool gas is more expensive. I live in California. Building 25×50. Depth varies but the deepest is 8 and the shallow is 18 inches. Appreciate your help.