Gas/Propane Heater vs Electric Heat Pump
Electric heat pumps are super efficient and work by pulling heat from the air, which makes them cheaper to run over the long term—especially during the warmer months. They’re great for keeping your pool at a consistent temperature, but they can lose some of their efficiency during colder weather, so they may not be as effective in early spring or late fall. They are also very slow to heat so usually these are used as “set it and forget it” units. In Maryland, heat pumps work very well in April through October. March and November are not as reliable since temperatures can drop below 50 in those months.
On the other hand, propane heaters heat up the pool much faster (hours not days) and aren’t as affected by the outside temperature, so they can work in any weather. They’re perfect if you want quick heat, but they are more expensive to run because propane costs more than electricity. Plus, you’ll need to refill the propane tank regularly, and they’re not as energy-efficient as heat pumps.
Ultimately, it depends on how often you plan to use your pool and your budget. If you’re looking for long-term savings and don’t mind waiting for the heat, a heat pump might be the way to go. But if you want fast heating and don’t mind the extra cost, a propane heater could be a good choice.
Gas/Propane Heater
01. POWER SOURCE
“Gas Heaters” can be used with either natural gas (NG), or liquid propane (LP).
02. COST TO INSTALL
Installing an LP or NG heater could cost between $4,500-$5,500, plus the separate costs of moving or adding a gas or propane supply, which varies depending on your setup.
03. COST TO RUN
A 400K BTU heater burns 4.37 gallons of propane or natural gas per hour. This equates to about $7 per hour for natural gas, or $13 per hour for liquid propane.
NG ~ $3.50 per degree
LP ~ $6.50 per degree
04. HEATING TIME
A 400K BTU heater can raise an average pool (25K gallons) about 2 degrees per hour.
05. DURABILITY
A gas/propane heater should last 8-12 years in Maryland. (However they can become easily damaged with improper water chemistry)
Electric Heat Pump
01. POWER SOURCE
Electric Heat Pumps require a dedicated 50 amp breaker at your pool panel. This is easiest to install when the pool is built initially, but can be added later, often for a significant cost.
02. COST TO INSTALL
Heat Pumps range from $7,000-$8,000 for installation if you already have sufficient power. Extending heavy wire from your house to increase the power supply can add to this cost significantly.
03. COST TO RUN
A 140K BTU heat pumps uses approximately 7.3 Kw/h. This equates to an electric cost of about $1.50 per hour.
Electricity ~ $2.25 per degree
04. HEATING TIME
A 140K BTU heater can raise an average size pool (25K gallons) about .67 degrees per hour.
05. DURABILITY
A heat pump should last 12-15 years in Maryland. (However they can become easily damaged with improper water chemistry)