One of the few downsides of having a swimming pool is that the water temperature isn’t always what you want it to be. Cool water feels great, but the average person simply just doesn’t want to dive into a pool full of freezing water. That’s where a pool heater comes in, and they’re as popular as ever. So, are pool heaters worth it?
Pool heaters are worth it if you want to swim year-round and you live somewhere that doesn’t typically get colder than 50 degrees. However, pool heaters aren’t necessarily worth the cost if you only keep your pool open for 4 months and live in a hot climate. Keep in mind that it costs an average of $265 per month to heat a pool.
Get quotes from several pool maintenance stores before you invest in a pool heater. Compare the upfront cost to the average monthly cost to run a heater before you decide. Follow along as we take a deep dive into the pros and cons of pool heaters.
What To Consider Before You Get A Pool Heater
A pool heater is a big investments, so you may understandably feel apprehensive about getting one. You can make your decision much easier if you consider a few things, such as:
1. Climate
One of the main reasons that people invest in pool heaters is that they live in a cold climate. The last thing most people want to do is jump into a pool full of cold water. A pool heater ensures that people can swim not long after opening their pools.
It also lets people keep their pools open for longer. For example, many homeowners close their pools in September. Keep in mind that a pool heater can only do so much when the temperature drops to 50 degrees or below.
By that point, you’re essentially wasting money, as the heater won’t be able to adequately heat the water. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get a pool heater, but you shouldn’t run it year-round in most climates.
2. Pool Usage
How often do you use your pool? This has a lot to do with how worthwhile it is to install a pool heater. Many homeowners open their pools in May and close them in September.
That is four months of peak swimming time to enjoy your pool before you close it. Pool heaters ultimately extend the time that you have to swim, as the water will stay warm for much longer. In that case, it may be worth it to install a pool heater if you plan to swim for longer than four months.
This also comes in handy if your pool is too cold to swim in when you first open it for the season.
3. Efficiency
Sadly, many pool heaters are far from efficient. According to the Department of Energy, some pool heaters waste up to 20% of the fuel needed to operate them. Not only is this bad for the environment, but it also wastes money.
While there are pool heaters out there that are 95% efficient, many of them are only 55% to 80% efficient. Carefully research pool heaters and compare how efficient they are before you pick one. This can save you time, money, and heartache later.
4. Budget
The high cost of a pool heater is what keeps many people from installing one. You must budget for the installation and the monthly costs of running a pool heater. For example, you could spend between $4,000-$7,200 per year to run a pool heater if you use it each month. Granted, that’s rare, as most people don’t use a pool heater every month.
Installation costs roughly $1,600-$6,000, between parts and labor. Not only is the installation expensive, but it costs an average of $265 to run a pool heater per month. The cost can reach $600 or more per month depending on the type of pool heater and how often you use it.
You can be responsible with your pool heater to avoid overly high monthly costs. It helps to only use your pool heater when the water is simply too cold to enjoy. However, it’s not a great idea to run your pool heater each day, unless you can afford it.
5. Maintenance
Pool heaters are relatively low-maintenance when you compare them to swimming pools themselves. The average pool heater only needs one basic maintenance checkup and tune-up per year. Propane and natural gas heaters are especially easy to take care of.
Granted, gas pool heaters can give out and go bad in as little as 10 years. Otherwise, a pool heater can last up to 20 years with routine maintenance. Pool heaters are prone to several problems, such as faulty wiring, thermostat issues, filter obstructions, and damaged pilot lights.
It costs between $150 and $780 to fix the average pool heater. Repair costs depend on what’s wrong with your heater. Things get especially expensive if you must replace parts of the system or rewire your pool heater.
Do Pool Heaters Increase Home Value?
A pool heater increases a home's value, especially in climates where people would want to swim all year. However, a heater might not add as much value in an area with brutally cold falls and winters. That’s because even a heater won’t make the water warm enough to be safely swimmable.
However, you can’t go wrong with a pool heater if you want to use it until you sell your home. It’s up to the buyer if they choose to run it, but chances are they will. After all, they are buying a house with a pool, so why not enjoy some warm water?
Summing It Up
It’s worth it to get a pool heater if you plan to swim throughout the year. However, most people only swim for roughly 4 months of the year in climates with cold winters. Pool heaters are also worth it in climates that get cool, but the temperature doesn’t drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This lets you swim year-round.
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