Cost to Heat Pool

[msujohn]

Is there a way that I can get a rough idea on what it would cost me to heat my pool using a gas heater? This is a new pool that will be complete by Feb 15th. I know that I can't use the heater for about 30 days. But, would consider heating it over spring break - if it doesn't cost a fortune. I don't know what the pool water temperate will be yet - but is there a simple forumula that shows the cost to heat 1degree, etc?

I have a 23,000 gallon pool and would like to know how much it costs to heat?

I appreciate any thoughts and/or suggestions.

 

[Speedo]

You will see a noticeable difference if you cover it overnight, that will be the best way to keep your heating costs lower. Maintaining is much easier than re-heating, but the cost is unknown since it's entirely dependent on the weather.

here is a formula that I saw in another thread.

8.34 BTUs to heat one gallon of water 1 degree
10000 X 8.34=83,400 BTUs to raise your pool 1 degree
10 degrees rise = 834,000 BTUs

The missing variables would be the efficiency of your heater (I think most are 80%) and the cost of your gas per therm.

I remember reading that 1 therm = 100k BTUs


In my case it would be this:
14000 * 8.34 = 116760 BTUs per degree
116,760/100,000 = 1.1676 * [s:1btbfdtu]1.3[/s:1btbfdtu] 0.83 = [s:1btbfdtu]$1.52[/s:1btbfdtu] $0.97
(I think my gas cost is [s:1btbfdtu]$1.3[/s:1btbfdtu]/therm, I would have to double check) - good thing I was wrong, it's $0.97/therm

now the biggest question would be, how many degrees per day on average.

I will have to come back and check this again when I'm deciding how early to open the pool

 

[JamesW]

For your pool, it would take 191,820 Btu to raise the temperature 1 degree Fahrenheit. If we assume $10.00 per million Btu ($1.00 per Therm) and an 83 % efficient heater, then the cost to raise the pool temperature by 1 degree F would be $2.31.

Then, you have to consider the amount of heat lost, which will vary depending on variables such as whether the pool is covered, water temperature, ambient air temperature, wind speed etc.

 

[swimcmp]

You will gain some efficiency with the intelliflo running at a flow that is just maybe 1 to 2 gpm more than what it takes to activate saftey switches on the heater.

 

[racket]

http://aquacal.com/sizing.html

This should do what you need it to.

 

[Monkey's Mom]

msujohn ~ did you end up heating the pool? My daughter wants a pool party for her birthday next weekend and I am contemplating heating the pool. Yesterday it was 82 outside and the pool was 65. I don't know what the weather will be next Saturday so I'm not sure how long it would take to heat the pool to get it ~80 for the party?! Any ideas?! Was your gas bill crazy high?!

 

[msujohn]

We did not heat the pool. Just have been thinking about it. If you do it keep me informed of the time and cost.