Riverview Pool and Electrical Contractors Serving Tampa
Are you wondering what the costs are to run a pool heater in Tampa, FL? Below are a few options available to you and their individual costs. If you have any other questions about pool heaters or other pool systems, contact one of our Hawkins Service Company experts!
Propane Pool Heaters
Propane heaters burn about 1 gallon per hour per 100,000 BTUs. For a typical size 400,000 BTU heater, that equals 4 gallons an hour. Currently, propane costs between $4.50 to $5 per gallon. Since prices do fluctuate be sure to check with your provider. Typically, one hour on propane will cost $ 18.00. To heat, an average pool (10-12K Gallon) with no solar cover typically takes 8-14 hours. By adding a solar blanket to your pool during heating you will greatly increase the efficiency of the heating process and keep evaporative heat loss to a minimum.
Natural Gas Pool Heaters
Natural gas heaters (also known as NG heaters) use about 1 therm per hour per 100,000 BTU’s. For a typical size 400,000 BTU pool heater, that’s 4 therms per hour. Currently, natural gas runs about $1.50 per therm near Tampa. The average cost to heat a pool for one hour on natural gas is around $ 7.00. To heat, an average pool (10-12K Gallon) with no solar cover typically takes 8-14 hours. By adding a solar blanket to your pool during heating you will greatly increase the efficiency of the heating process and keep evaporative heat loss to a minimum.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps will use around 5,000 watts or 5 kilowatts per hour per 100,000 BTU’s. For a typical size 100,000 BTU heat pump, that’s 5 kilowatts per hour. The average for electricity in our area runs $.16 cents per kilowatt hour. Rates for electricity vary by utility provider so be sure to check yours. Per our example, 1 hour on a heat pump will cost .80 cents. To heat an average pool (10-12K Gallon) with no solar cover, typically expect 1 to 1.5 degrees of change per hour By adding a solar blanket to your pool during heating you will greatly increase the efficiency of the heating process and keep evaporative heat loss to a minimum. Please understand, if your water temperature is colder than normal, heating times will increase!
Heating Comparisons:
Normally heat pumps are the least expensive option to heat your pool from an operational cost standpoint. A gas heater will heat your pool much quicker than a heat pump but normally costs more to do so. A heat pump draws in the ambient air across the coils to heat your water, so once the air temperature reaches 50 degrees or lower the efficiency of the unit decreases. We recommend heating your pool during daytime hours only to avoid the lower temperatures and increase your heating efficiency.
If you want to get into the spa quicker, a gas heater would be a better choice. A Heat Pump will take much longer to heat and is not as efficient as a gas heater in regards to heating time. Heat pumps cost about $3600.00 and gas heaters are in the $ 2300.00 – 2900.00 range fully installed.
If you have questions on heating your pool or need help sizing the correct heater for your pool, feel free to give us a call at (813) 871-6610 and we would be happy to help.
