If you are looking for some quick tips on how to save money this Summer, one important area you should focus on is heating your pool. This is something that can easily be done yourself, with a little bit of research and a few tools.
How Much Does It Cost To Heat Pool
The cost of heating a pool varies based on the size of the pool, the type of heating system used, and the energy source.
The average cost for heating a swimming pool is about $1,700 per year. The actual price can range from $500 to $4,000 depending on these factors:
- Size of your pool – A small inground swimming pool will require less energy than a large aboveground one. A water heater is an investment that should last several years so it’s important to size your system properly before installing it.
- Type of heater – There are three main types of heaters: gas-fired heaters; electric-powered heaters; and solar-powered heaters (which require no electricity). A gas heater usually costs less than an electric one because you’ll save on installation costs since you don’t have to run gas lines into your house or garage like with an electric heater.
- Season – If you live in a colder climate where temperatures dip below freezing during the winter months, you will likely need to heat your pool more often than if you live in an area with mild winters and warm summers.
- Energy Costs – The average cost to heat a 50-foot pool is about $1,200 per year if you use electric resistance heating elements and $900 per year if you use gas-fired heaters. However, if you live in an area with higher electricity rates or pay more money for natural gas than other areas in the country, then this amount may seem high. For example, if you live in California where electricity rates are much higher than they are in other parts of the country, then heating your water might cost closer to $2,500 annually.
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Do-It-Yourself Pool Heating
If you have an outdoor pool and want to keep it warm, here are some tips on how much it will cost. Below we have compiled a list of items that can help to keep your pool warm all summer long, so check them out below!
- Solar Blanket: A solar blanket is an inexpensive and easy way to heat your pool this Summer as it helps retain heat in the water. Most solar blankets can remain in the water for six hours and also come in different sizes depending on what size of pool you want them for. They can be purchased easily online or at your local big-box store.
- Pool Heater: Though more expensive than a solar blanket, a pool heater can provide you with the most consistent heating of the water in your pool. It is highly recommended that you use a pool cover along with this such as one of our above-listed covers to help save on energy costs and keep your pool warm over the Winter.
- Pool Pump: Using a pump to recirculate heated water through the plumbing lines in your pool is an excellent way to keep it heated while saving money on heating costs. You can also adjust the pump to lower the amount of heat in the water if you want. This is an excellent way to ensure that you don’t waste too much electricity trying to heat your whole pool.
- Chemical Treatment: Using chemical treatment to keep your pool warm can be a pain, but it’s much less expensive than paying for a pool heater. The chemicals work best in conjunction with either a solar blanket or with a pump, so do some research and choose which one gives off less odor.
- Evaporation System: An evaporator system is another excellent way to heat your pool naturally. This type of system uses evaporation to heat the water in the pool naturally, which means you don’t need any extra equipment or chemicals.
- Pool Costs: On average, it costs anywhere from $12 – $20 per hundred gallons of water that you use to maintain your pool. This may not seem like much at first but if you spend the entire day relaxing in your pool, those costs can add up fast! Instead of heating your pool constantly this Summer, just get a solar blanket and cover it up when you’re not using it. This can save you a lot of money over the long haul!
- Pool Cover: A pool cover is an excellent way to keep your pool warm and minimize heating costs. If your custom pool cover is made from a well-known brand such as Bullfrog, you can get an additional 10% off the original price.
- Routine Maintenance: While some of these tips are good for those of you that put your swimming season off until Spring, some people like to use their pools year-round. To keep your pool heated constantly, you need to do routine maintenance and cleaning on it in the Winter. Not only will this keep your pool in great shape, but it’s also very important to do so if you want to use the chlorine in your pool without having to reapply it every few days.
- Infrared Heaters: Infrared heaters are another way of heating a pool without using any chemicals, pumps, or heaters. This means that you won’t have a swimming pool smell like chlorinated water and will save on energy costs as well. Just make sure that you don’t overdo it with this because too much of the infrared radiation can damage your skin, reducing its UV protection.
- Swimming Pool Heaters, Filters, and Chlorinators: You can find these all in any hardware store, many of them are re-brand names for the same thing. Just make sure that you buy a quality one and don’t purchase anything too cheap. Make sure to check the reviews of the models you’re considering before making your purchase. Once again, this is very important to do when using chlorine since chlorine is more corrosive than saltwater.
