What is the best type of heating for a pool?
The best type of heating for a pool is a heat pump pool heater due to its remarkable energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. By harnessing ambient air, these pool heaters provide consistent warmth, making them a superior choice over conventional heating systems. The same advantage applies to heat-cool pool pumps.
A key benefit of a pool heat pump is that you can set your desired pool temperature at the beginning of the season and forget it. Although a heat pump may take longer than a gas heater to reach the desired temperature, it does so at a lower cost. Once the pool is up to temperature, the heat pump will maintain a steady temperature continuously, using the same amount of energy as heating the pool on weekends only with natural gas or once every three weeks with propane.
What is the most cost-efficient pool heater?
The most cost-efficient pool heaters are pool heat pumps, with an efficiency rate of 300-600% compared to other types of pool heaters, which are 85-99% efficient.
While solar pool heating remains largely unchanged, and gas heating has seen minor improvements, heat pumps have evolved significantly with advancements in technology. They are now more durable, reliable, and cost about one-fifth of what they did 30 years ago.
Pool heat pumps work by extracting heat from the surrounding air and transferring it to the pool water, ensuring minimal energy consumption and maximum heat retention, which leads to substantial long-term savings.
Cost Comparison per Million BTU
Heat Pump: Heater cost: $3,000-$5,000 + Electric Line: $500-$1,000 | Operating Cost: $8-$14
Natural Gas: Heater cost: $2,000-$4,000 + Gas Line: $2,000-$4,000 | Operating Cost: $15
Propane: Heater cost: $2,000-$4,000 + Tank Installation: $1,000-$2,000 + Tank Rental | Operating Cost: $50
Furthermore, NIRVANA, ranked first by AHRI in this category, offers the lowest operating costs in the industry: for every 1 kW consumed, 6 kW are returned.
How do pool heat pumps work?
Pool heat pumps work by extracting heat from the ambient air and transferring it to the pool water. Utilizing a refrigerant and a compressor, they amplify the extracted heat before channeling it to the water, efficiently maintaining the desired pool temperature.
The Heat Pump will take longer to get the pool to temperature than a gas heater, but will do it for a lower cost.
Heat Pump = Heat Pump 3000-5000 + Electric Line 500-1000 and Operating Cost is 8$ to 14$ Per million BTU.
Natural Gas = Heater 2000-4000 + Gas Line $2000-$4000 and Operating Cost is around 15$ per Million BTU.
Propane = Heater 2000-4000 + Tank Install $1000-$2000+ Tank Rental and Operating cost is around 50$ per Million BTU.
Set your pool temperature at the beginning of the pool season and once up to temperature, the heat pump will maintain a steady temperature all the time.
No need to plan to use your pool: Just set it and forget it!
Why is a heat pump the best choice for a pool heating system?
Choosing a pool heat pump is an excellent choice for pool heating systems, as it efficiently utilizes ambient air to regulate your pool’s temperature, ensuring optimal energy conservation.
Nirvana’s pool heat pumps combine eco-friendliness with advanced technology, providing a sustainable and efficient way to keep your pool warm. Once up to temperature, the heat pump will maintain a steady temperature continuously, at the same energy cost as only heating the pool on weekends with natural gas or once every three weeks with propane.
Your pool will always be ready to use: set it once, and that’s it! No need to plan ahead to warm the water.
If you’re looking for rapid heating, a pool heat pump may not be ideal. However, if you’re willing to plan ahead by allowing the heat pump to run for a few days before opening the pool for the season and seek a low-cost, long-term heating solution, a pool heat pump is the best investment.
What's the difference between a gas/propane pool heater, an electric pool heater, and a pool heat pump ?
Gas or propane pool heaters burn fuel to generate heat, providing rapid warming but at a higher operational cost and with increased emissions.
Electric pool heaters directly heat water using electricity, offering quick heating but with lower energy efficiency.
Pool heat pumps, by extracting heat from the ambient air, provide an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution with consistent heating, though they may warm the pool more gradually initially.
Pool heat pumps are 300-400% efficient, compared to other types of pool heaters, which operate at 85-95% efficiency. Operating costs for a pool heat pump are around $8 to $14 per million BTU, compared to approximately $15 per million BTU for a natural gas heater and $50 per million BTU for a propane pool heater.
While solar pool heating technology has remained largely unchanged and gas heating has seen minor improvements, heat pumps have evolved significantly. Modern heat pumps are more durable, reliable, and cost nearly one-fifth of what they did 30 years ago.
Are pool heat pumps worth it?
Absolutely, pool heat pumps are a worthwhile investment.
They provide not only energy-efficient heating but also reliable temperature regulation. Their eco-friendly design and cost-effective operation make them an ideal choice for those who want to enjoy their pools year-round without high expenses.
Here’s an example from one of our clients:
A commercial campground pool was spending $15,000 per year to maintain pool temperatures using a propane heater. They replaced it with two NIRVANA FC120VF heat pumps and were able to keep their pool at the same temperature for the entire season at a cost of only $2,000 in electricity.
The two heat pumps paid for themselves within the first season of operation.
What are the biggest advantages of pool heat pumps vs. gas/propane pool heaters and electric pool heaters?
Pool heat pumps are simple and much easier to install than traditional pool heating systems. You only need a larger electrical connection.
Safer for children due to the absence of gas and flames, eliminating any risk of explosion.
High efficiency: Pool heat pumps are 300-400% efficient, compared to 85-95% efficiency for other types of pool heaters.
More heat, less cost.
Set it and forget it!
Your pool stays warm all the time, so there’s no need to plan ahead to use it—it’s always ready.
Better warranty coverage compared to gas heaters.
Easiest option for winterization.
How big of a heat pump do I need for my pool?
The size of the pool heat pump you need depends on factors such as pool size, desired temperature, and climatic conditions. A professional assessment is recommended to determine the appropriate size, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency of your heat pump.
Generally, 1 BTU is required to heat 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.
For example, a pool with approximately 19,184 gallons of water (160,000 pounds) would require a heater with a capacity of 160,000 BTU.
As a reminder:
A 27 ft. round above-ground pool (48” deep) holds around 17,204 US gallons.
A 16 ft x 36 ft inground pool (average depth 5 feet) holds around 21,600 US gallons.
How to calculate the water capacity of my pool in gallons?
To calculate the gallon capacity of your pool, you’ll need to know its shape and specific measurements. Here are some formulas based on pool shape:
Rectangular or Square Pools: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Average Depth (ft) × 7.48
Circular Pools: Radius (ft)² × π (3.14) × Average Depth (ft) × 7.48
Oval Pools: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Average Depth (ft) × 7.48
Note: These calculations provide an approximation, as the actual volume may vary depending on the exact shape and features of your pool. The result will help determine the appropriate size of pool heat pump needed.
What to Expect in Degrees Per Hour?
Heating time depends on your pool size and the heat pump model.
It takes 1 BTU to heat 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. To calculate the heating speed, you need to know your pool’s water volume, the heat pump size, and current weather conditions. Unlike other systems, heat pumps don’t make heat—they move it in the most efficient way possible.
The main advantage of a heat pump is that you can set it and forget it: it will maintain your pool’s temperature all season long at a reasonable energy cost.
