
So, you dream of a warm, inviting pool but didn’t install a heater initially? Can you add a pool heater later? The good news is—yes. This article explores the different pool heater options, costs, and factors to consider when adding a heater to an existing pool. We’ll cover everything from gas heaters and heat pumps to solar heaters and pool covers.
Adding a pool heater extends your swimming season, regardless of the weather. This creates more opportunities for relaxation, exercise, and entertainment in your backyard. Choosing the right heater can be overwhelming. This guide will help you determine the best type for your needs and how to install one. Invest in our pool heater repair in Bucks County, PA.
Types of Pool Heaters: Weighing Your Options
Several pool heater types are available, each with advantages and disadvantages. When deciding, consider your budget, desired water temperature, climate, and pool size. This includes determining your BTU heater output needs, which largely depends on the heater size and the water’s surface area.
- Gas Heaters: These use natural gas or propane to heat water quickly. They’re effective for all pool sizes and climates and offer easy temperature control for any event. However, they have higher operating costs. You’ll need to account for gas line installation or propane tank placement. Gas-fired heaters also require assessing existing loads and whether more than one trunk line is necessary.
- Electric Heat Pumps: Heat pumps use electricity to move heat from the air to the pool water. They are energy-efficient compared to gas heaters. They have a lower monthly cost and long lifespan but might have higher upfront installation costs. An electric heat pump may also be more suitable for colder months because it heats slowly.
- Solar Heaters: Solar heaters use solar panels to absorb the sun’s energy to warm pool water. They require direct sunlight for maximum effectiveness. Solar heaters offer the lowest operating cost and provide “free” heat. Performance varies in cooler climates or during cloudy periods. Solar pool heaters may qualify for solar tax credits. Smaller heaters with the same BTU output may have trouble maintaining temperatures as efficiently in lower sunlight exposure as other heaters.
Installation Considerations
Adding a heater to an existing pool requires careful planning. This includes accounting for the location of your gas meter, pump, or electrical panel to ensure cost-effective installation and the use of smaller gas or electrical runs.
- Space: Adequate space around the heater is essential for proper ventilation and maintenance. The placement can affect installation costs and the ease of routing gas and electric lines, depending on whether a ground-level installation is possible. Gas heaters, for example, must be away from windows and doors, which can make a retrofit challenging if equipment pads are tight.
- Plumbing: The heater needs to integrate into your pool’s existing plumbing system. Placing it near the pump simplifies plumbing. Underground plumbing can be used for aesthetic reasons. Pool plumbing installation is more difficult after construction. It involves connecting the heater to the pool’s circulation system and other water heaters, if present. The cost of a heat pump depends partly on plumbing and installation costs compared to the upfront costs of purchase and initial set-up.
- Electrical (electric heat pumps): Your electrical panel must handle the added electrical load of a heat pump, which would affect your water heating ability. Consult an electrician to check your electrical capacity and existing electrical systems. Consider the cost of installing a heat pump compared to how quickly a gas-fired heater could heat your pool if gas is accessible to install on-site.
- Gas (natural gas heaters): A professional should review your existing gas line capacity. Too many appliances on one circuit might require upgrades or a larger gas meter. Evaluate the BTU output for your pool heater’s needs. Lower BTU output can mean slower heating, especially for larger pools.
Costs of Adding a Pool Heater: Budgeting Wisely
When adding a pool heater, you’ll invest between $2,500 and $9,000, with costs varying by type and specific requirements. Gas heaters tend to have lower installation costs but higher operating expenses, while solar heaters have the highest upfront price but lowest ongoing costs. Your final expense depends on heater size, manufacturer, desired water temperature, and pool surface area. Choosing the right heater means balancing initial investment with long-term efficiency and your specific heating needs.
Maximizing Your Investment: Pool Covers
A pool cover is a wise investment with any heater, as it minimizes heat loss, regardless of your preferred water temperature. The Department of Energy states that a cover can reduce heating costs for a 78°F pool by over 80%. A cover traps heat in the water, preventing it from escaping into the air. Solar cover options reduce heat loss, unlike solar heaters, which increase heat gain.
Even a basic pool cover can significantly improve heat retention, preventing heat loss during cooler months and lowering operating costs by conserving generated heat, especially at night. Covered pools experience less heat loss due to the barrier created against the natural heat flow to cooler surroundings, maintaining higher water temperatures. A solar heating strategy focused on conservation alone would help make running gas or electricity cheaper. Retrofitting a heater is feasible. Remember that each project will have unique requirements, and different gas pipe or other connection run lengths may cause installation costs to fluctuate significantly.
Consider your budget, pool size, climate, and ideal swimming season duration when installing gas to heat your pool or using existing gas or another fuel source to determine the cost and logistics of gas-fired or propane water heating system installations. Your pool size affects sizing, as smaller units require less output but may take longer to heat the pool water. Be sure to match the BTUs of your new heater to local climate or swimming season expectations.
Adding a heater to an existing pool, whether in-ground or above-ground, may extend your pool usage by weeks or months. This makes your investment more worthwhile by providing maximum enjoyment. In addition to a new pool cover, don’t miss out on an umbrella by your pool.
When selecting a heater, determine the BTUs required to heat the volume and type of water and consult a gas supplier for sizing needs if the heater is gas-fired. Consider overall cost implications, including not just operating costs but initial costs, installation costs, and any pool plumbing additions that would increase the overall price. Also, installation time should be considered depending on the space needed and ground-level access. Contact us today for more information.