Pool heaters allow swimmers to enjoy pleasant water temperatures throughout the year. Depending on the system, the water is sent through a heating unit and then returned to the main body of the water. This article including product reviews and buying guide will help you to choose the best heating unit and save money in the process.
What Is the Best Pool Heater on the Market?
- Simple to use
- Useful for over the ground or in-ground pools
- Boards can be left up the entire year-round, even with a day off
- Can be introduced vertically or on a level plane
Comparing the Best Swimming Water Pool Heaters
| Photo | Title | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 | SunHeater S120U Universal Solar Pool Heater 2 by 20-Feet, Black | $111.13 | Check Latest Price |
 | Raypak Digital Electronic Ignition Natural Gas Pool Heater | $2,856.00 | Check Latest Price |
 | GAME 4721-BB SolarPRO Curve Solar Pool Heater | $189.99 | Check Latest Price |
 | Smart Pool S601 Inground Pool Solar Heating System, Includes Two 2’ x 20’ Panels (80 sq. ft.) – Made of Durable Polypropylene, Raises Temperature Up to 15°F – S601P, Pack of 1, Black | $225.14 | Check Latest Price |
 | SunQuest 2-2'X10' Solar Swimming Pool Heater | $356.34 | Check Latest Price |
 | Hayward W3H400FDN Universal H-Series 400,000 BTU Pool and Spa Heater | $3,999.00 | Check Latest Price |
 | FibroPool Swimming Pool Heat Pump - FH255 55,000 BTU - for Above and In Ground Pools and Spas - High Efficiency, All Electric Heater - No Natural Gas or Propane Needed | $2,199.99 | Check Latest Price |
| | Hayward W3H150FDP Universal H-Series 150,000 BTU Pool and Spa Heater | $2,409.00 | Check Latest Price |
Choose Pool Heaters
Whether heaters are used in elevated pools in underground pools, trained professionals should analyze the area to determine the appropriate size. Children, the elderly, and less active swimmers may prefer water temperatures of up to 82 degrees.
Tips to Save Money
Buying the perfect size of a heater is the best way to avoid losing money. Costs can also be reduced by reducing the amount of wind energy and reducing water heating time. Elevated pools can function well if they are open to the wind. By blocking the wind with fences or bushes, heat loss can be reduced. Also, the thermostat should be set to the lowest temperature to maintain the comfort of swimmers.
Top 10 Best Pool Heater Reviews of 2020
#1. Best Pool Heater – Pentair 460736 MasterTemp Swimming Water Heater
The Pentair 460736 MasterTemp is extraordinary for rooftop establishment on a level space close to your pool. To utilize this framework, you have to connect your siphon to the boards to go water through the channeling and go into your pool. It will, as a rule, heat the water well during hot days, contingent to some degree upon the region you live in.
- Simple to use
- Useful for over the ground or in-ground pools
- Boards can be left up the entire year-round, even with a day off
- Can be introduced vertically or on a level plane
- You need to purchase a different establishment pack
#2. Swimming Pool Heater – SmartPool S120U Universal Heater
It is a SmartPool S120U Universal Heater that offers the best an incentive just as unwavering quality. The front line protected polymer header combined with sidestep valve design further increases the water powered productivity. It’s optimal to stop it until the pool is adjusted and clean. Also, consider covering your pool with a sun-powered air pocket spread when not swimming, or you will lose a ton of heat and water from dissipation. It is genuinely quick for a gas heater.
- Very quick for a gas heater
- Can heat up to for all intents and purposes any ideal temperature level
- Accurate, clear showcase
- Very simple to utilize and program
- Takes next to zero exertion to winterize and startup
- Somewhat noisy, particularly during the night
#3. Electric Swimming Pool Heaters – Raypak Digital Electronic Ignition
This modest bit of pool heating hardware is the blockbuster, and there are apparent explanations behind that.
The Raypak Digital Electronic Ignition is an eco-friendly heater dependent on the innovate that can raise the temperature of your pool water. It’s incredibly reasonable, so you may likewise consider getting two of these for better outcomes. It’s optimal to utilize a sun based pool spread with it. These sun oriented tangle heaters are only perfect in regions where winter is gentle, for example, where the temperature is 65 Fahrenheit. They can raise it to an increasingly incredible 75 degrees.
- Very reasonable
- Quick set up
- Can raise the temperature to 10F
- Eco-friendly
- No monthly cost
- Doesn’t work in cold
#4. Solar Powered Pool Heater – GAME-4721 BB SolarPRO
One more astonishing about GAME-4721 BB SolarPRO is the acoustic blower spread for the incredibly peaceful activity. The hater is furnished with a titanium heat exchanger that guarantees the most extreme heat move. The body is substantial and corrosion safe, so your heater will prop up for a considerable length of time to come.
Being a heat siphon, it’s cost-viable as well as incredibly ground-breaking. It can raise the temperature of a genuinely enormous pool to 10 degrees in only 2-4 hours. Given its dangerous force, it might be a needless excess if you have a minor pool.
- Extremely incredible
- Easy to introduce
- Low monthly cost
- Heats the pool water in a matter of seconds
- Sturdy assembles – can keep going for as long as ten years.
- Affordable when contrasted with the vast majority of its rivals
- Fairly overwhelming
#5. Outdoor Pool Heater – Smartpool SunHeater
Smartpool SunHeater is a minimized and calm yet incredible flammable gas heater for your pool or spa. The seller has remodeled the design, and the heater presently accompanies a harder outside and easy to understand digital control. The exciting innovation that the heater depends on uses a completely pre-blended framework in with extremely proficient gas and air blend for a snappy heat up.
- Very quick – can raise calm up to 4 degrees in a single hour in a pool.
- A user-friendly turning digital indoor regulator is exceptionally precise.
- Small impression
- Sturdy outside gratitude to the rust confirmation non-metal sheets
- A minimal uproarious when going all out
#6. Inground Pool Solar Heater – SunQuest 2-2X10 Heater
Another does sun based heater dependent on astonishing innovation to keep your pool warm. Once more, it’s a sun oriented pool heater, so don’t anticipate an ascent in water temperature by more than a couple of degrees. Nonetheless, in regions that have gentle winter, this can draw out your swimming season by four to about a month and a half. It’s optimal for medium-sized over the ground pools. While it might not work effectively in brutal winter yet on the off chance that the temperature is near 70, the SunQuest 2-2X10 Heater can raise it to a progressively beautiful level decently fast.
- Great pool for the cash
- Easy to introduce
- No monthly cost
- Eco-friendly
- Not perfect for larger pools or in freezing weather
#7. Best Above Ground Pool Heater – Hayward-W3H400FDN Heater
Hayward-W3H400FDN Heater accompanies all the astounding features of any heater. It has a safe evaporator fan with a safe body. Notwithstanding, it has something that the vast majority of its cousins need.
What’s more, that is too moderate activity. Hayward has utilized acoustic blower spread and profiled fan edges to make it their calmest heat siphon available.
- Extremely incredible yet peaceful
- Affordable cost and cost-compelling activity
- Easy arrangement
- Fast heat up particularly for little to medium measured pools
- Auto shut off when it reaches the preset temperature.
- If not appropriately winterized, the body might begin to split.
#8. Electric Heat Pump Pool Heater – FibroPool-FH055-Ground Heater
This is one more minimal and exquisite looking propane heater for inground pools by Hayward. The design is beautiful to such an extent that it would seem that a little printer or a photocopier. The standard cupro-nickel heat exchanger is perfect for active eating.
The heater likewise features sidestep valve design and polymer header, which increases pressure-driven effectiveness. Much the same as the majority of Hayward’s different gas-based heaters, the FibroPool-FH055-Ground Heater is condition friendly and guarantees low NOx discharges.
It’s genuinely simple to set up, and extremely quick. Consider covering your pool when you’re not using it to stay away from heat misfortune or water vanishing.
- Fast activity
- Ideal for large pools and genuinely chilly climate
- Accurate temperature readings on the digital showcase
- Makes a reasonable piece of clamor
#9. Best Pool Heaters for Inground Pools – Hayward-W3H150FDP Universal Heater
The merchant flaunts solid construction and guarantees quick activity. Although the maker asserts that the Hayward-W3H150FDP is perfect for both in or more ground pools, however as a general rule, it is only useful for over the ground pools.
If you intend to utilize it for your little in-ground pool, you might require numerous units. Be that as it may, this will need more space for the heaters as well as cost you more. The one of a kind bent shape would assist it with catching more heat, in any event, when the situation of the sun continues evolving.
- Affordable cost
- The unique design helps capture more sun.
- No monthly bill
- Easy arrangement
- Slow heating
- Not the sturdiest of the units
#10. Best Pool Heater for Saltwater Pool – Pentair-460736 MasterTemp
The Pentair-460736 MasterTemp Heater is probably the lightest heater available in its group. The conservative design and 84% productivity rating make it one of the most vitality effective gas heaters available. This is one of the not very many heaters that look genuinely exquisite and have rust-verification housing. It’s anything but difficult to set up, works before long, and can keep going for quite a while to come.
- Extremely lightweight
- Fast heat up
- 85% effectiveness rating – doesn’t put a lot on your gas bill
- Elegant and rustproof body
- Loud activity
- Customer service can be difficult to reach
Pool heaters can be gas, electric, or solar. Electric heat pumps are the most expensive option beforehand, but with a lifespan of 10 years, higher efficiency, and lower annual operating costs, expenses decrease over time. Gas heaters used in swimming pools, on the other hand, are less energy-efficient but are more comfortable to work and offer a lower initial purchase price. The third option for pool heaters for you is solar energy. Solar energy is collected and used to heat water. These systems tend to last 10 to 20 years and cost to operate at least annually. The disadvantage is a limited amount of sunlight suitable for winter use.
Is A Pool Heater Worth It?
Swimming pool heaters can be quite expensive to maintain especially considering the annual cost of electricity bills or the cost of fuel that might be inquired by installing pool heaters. Despite the additional cost, not installing pool heaters would mean that you will only be able to use your pool for three to four months each year. Whether or not installing a pool heater is worthy depends on factors such as your schedules, the local climate where you live, budget, your love for swimming, and your water temperature preferences.
If you spend a lot of time in your house and enjoy swimming, you might be more inclined to invest in pool heaters especially if you prefer swimming in warm water as opposed to cold water. However, if you have a busy schedule and rarely get time to use your swimming pool, investing in pool heaters can be a waste of your money.
How Long Does a Pool Heater Last?
Averagely a good pool heater should last between 6-10 years. Pool heaters are quite expensive and should last for a long duration to ensure that you are not burdened with the need to invest in a pool heater every 1-2 years. Most pool heater companies will offer you a one or two-year guarantee. Proper maintenance can prolong the shelf life of your heater.
How Do Pool Heaters Work?
Although all types of pool water heaters focus on keeping the pool warm during different seasons, they operate differently.
Electric:
These pumps function in a similar manner with the hone heaters and air conditioning systems. Electric pool heaters draw air from the surrounding environment in and circulate the air through an air coil. The warm air from the air coil warms the surrounding environment and the water.
Solar:
These types of pools use the sun’s heat to retain a warm temperature of your pool. Solar thermal panels are usually installed on the roof of your house depending on the direction your roof faces. The panels harness the radiant heat from the sun, which is then converted to energy to heat the pool.
Gas heater:
These types of heaters burn natural or liquid propane inside a combusting chamber to produce the energy to heat water. The temperature of the water rises due to its contact with copper coils in the swimming pool as water runs through the copper coils.
Types of Pool Heaters /Heat Pumps
The three types of swimming pool heaters that exist are:
Gas-fired:
This type of heaters heat the pool quite fast and are usually turned on when the pool is being used and off when the pool is not in use. They are best for pools, which are not used on a regular basis because of the high costs of fuel.
Solar heaters:
This is probably the best heaters if you are leaving in the city or town characterized by warm weather. This can be suitable for people living in areas such as California due to the high temperate in these areas. While the initial cost of buying them and installing them might be significantly high, these heaters have a lower operating and maintenance cost because they use sunlight. Solar heaters are also environmentally friendly because they use renewable energy.
Electric or Heat pumps:
Heat pumps rely on electricity to heat the pool. They are more expensive than gas and solar heaters because of the operation costs. If the temperatures go below 50 degrees, the effectiveness of these heaters also reduces.
What to Look For When Buying a Pool Heater
Pool size:
Consider the size of your pool before buying the pool heater. A larger pool would require a larger pool heater to ensure that the water is heated effectively without subjecting the pool heaters to excessive workload.
Cost and type of pool heater:
Pool heaters range in prices due to factors such as the type of energy or fuel that will be used by the heater. A gas model is likely to be the cheapest heater buy might incur you additional operations costs after its installation. Investing in a solar heater might be expensive during the purchasing and installation point, but its operating costs are likely to be lower than those of other pool heaters.
Maintenance cost:
Since there are different types of pool heaters, they are also likely to have varying maintenance costs. Solar pool heaters are the most durable despite their high installation costs. Although electric heaters are affordable, they heat the pool water quite slowly, which might have a great impact on your electric bill. They are also expensive to maintain.
Weather:
The type of pool heaters should also be determined by your assessment of the weather patterns in your city. If you live in the tropics and are interested in installing pool heaters, solar heaters might be more effective for your considering the relatively high temperatures in these regions. Otherwise, if you live in areas characterized by cold temperatures a gas heater or an electric heater might be more suitable for your needs.
What Is a Pool Heater?
A pool heater is an equipment that assists you in controlling the temperature of your swimming pool and ensuring that you can keep it warm enough to use even during unfavorable weather conditions. Pool heaters ensure that you can enjoy your pool both during the summer and the winter seasons because of their ability to control the temperature of the swimming pool water.
What Rules Ought to Be Followed By Heating Our Pool?
Some of the rules that should be considered when heating our pools include:
The need to ensure that the temperature of the water does not go beyond the accepted limits of 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit as this could lead to numerous health problems.
The external temperature:
Heating the pool, during summer might not make sense since the water obtains its heat from the direct sunlight during this season. Heating the pool during summer might also suggest that the temperature of the water might be higher than the recommended temperature, which might pose health risks such as heat stroke, hyperthermia, among other heat-related issues.
Do not overheat the pool:
Overheating the pool might make it unbearable for some people to swim in the water comfortably. It could also promote dehydration during swimming because of the additional sweat produced by the body.
Check the temperature of the pool:
It is important to check the temperature of the pool before using it to determine whether you would wish to switch off the swimming pool heaters off or if your pool’s temperature is not warm enough.
How Warm Would It Be Advisable For Me to Keep My Pool?
The American Red Cross and many swimming coaches recommend that you should keep your pool at approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Younger children, individuals with health conditions, and the elderly might require slightly higher temperatures that range between 78 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally, the temperature of your swimming pool should not go beyond 82 degrees Fahrenheit to promote both your safety and the safety of individuals who will be using the pool.
How Much Swimming Season Can You Extend?
You can extend your swimming season by up to six months or more depending on your resistance to cold, accessibility to a pool heater, and enthusiasm with swimming during the cold seasons. You can use your swimming pool throughout the year is you have the right kind of pool heaters that will keep the swimming pool water at the right temperature.
During the winter season, a pool heater might not be effective because of the surround cold temperature that might negatively affect your health once you get out of the swimming pool. The question of how much further you would be able to extend your swimming season relies on your willingness to invest in a pool heater and commitment to paying the additional electric or gas bills associated with using the heaters throughout the year.
You would obviously be exempted from the high electricity or fuel costs if you had installed solar panels and solar heaters. You should invest in heaters that operate independently and do not rely on external air temperatures if you plan to use your pool throughout the year.
What Are the Medical Advantages of Heating My Pool?
Burning extra calories:
Swimming in warm water will enable you to continue with your swimming exercises even during cold seasons, thereby helping you to burn extra calories.
Relaxation of muscles:
Warm water increases your blood circulation in the body, which promotes muscle relaxation. Swimming in warm water after intensive exercise can ensure that you relax your muscles and avoid muscle pains.
Reducing the risks of hypothermia:
Swimming during the cold seasons can lead to hypothermia among other cold-related infections such as pneumonia. A heated pool ensures that you continue enjoying your swimming activities while eliminating the risks of hypothermia or death, that could be caused by swimming in overly cold swimming pools
Relieves arthritic pain:
Cold temperatures make arthritic pain worse. Swimming in warm water has the opposite effect on arthritic pain as it relieves the pain on the affected joints.
Mental health:
Swimming in warm water is also relaxing for your mental health and can help you relax after a stressful day.
What Are the Costs Required For Heating A Pool?
The annual operating costs for heating a pool can range between $100 to $3,600 depending on the type of pool heaters you have installed and the cost of fuel or electricity in your state. In some areas such as Arizona, the cost of installing solar panels is relatively low due to tax exemptions made by the federal and the local government. These exemptions are also likely to favor a person who would be installing solar panels for their pool heaters.
The differences between the operational costs of pool heating are also caused by factors such as how many hours the pool heater is life on and the use of pool covers or blankets, which trap some of the heat in the pool and can assist you to keep your pool warm when you are not using it. In Chicago, the annual operating costs of water heaters are estimated to be around $1,620 without a pool cover and $220 with a cover.
Is Heated Pool Safe?
Heated pools are safe as long as the temperature of the water does not exceed the recommended levels. The heated pool also require additional maintenance. Warm water provides the right temperature for the growth of different microorganisms such as bacteria and algae. Cleaning the heated pool regularly ensures that the threat of these microorganisms is eliminated. Overheated pools can cause fatigue and muscle cramping within a short duration.
Swimmers should be careful not to swim in overheated pools, as they are also likely to get dehydrated faster and overheat their bodies, which could lead to hyperthermia or a heat stroke. While an overly cold pol could expose swimmers to the risks of hypothermia, the overheated pool will have the opposite effect and expose them to hyperthermia.
How to Find the Right Size Solar Pool Heater?
Pool size:
The size of your swimming pool should determine the size of the solar panels needed to keep it effectively warm.
Inground or above ground:
Swimming pools that do not have a deep end have many surfaces are to volume ratio. Above-ground pools have more heat loss than underground pools.
Windy or Calm:
The weather condition in your areas also determine the solar panels you will need. If the weather is constantly windy you might need larger solar panels because of the increased heat loss caused by the constantly blowing wind. Calm weather suggests that there will be limited heat loss, meaning that you could opt for smaller solar panels.
Covered or Uncovered:
Uncovered swimming pools lose approximately 70% of their heat. If you cover your swimming pool you can get away with using smaller solar panels than what would normally be recommended for your pool size.
Top Pick Best Pool Heater Recommend
- Simple to use
- Useful for over the ground or in-ground pools
- Boards can be left up the entire year-round, even with a day off
- Can be introduced vertically or on a level plane
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