What my new pool heater cost me

daleyfolk · Jul 25, 2015

SEE MY HEATING COSTS UPDATE further down the thread.

I thought it would be interesting for those considering getting a heater for their pool.

I decided on natural gas heater. Pool store got me a 266k Rheem for my 17.5k pool.

$1250 Gas company needed to run 128 ft of gas line from side of my house back to the pool shed area and hang a new meter. (we couldn't run off the house gas for some reason)
$1995 Cost of heater
$135 Parts
$360 4 hours of labor. (The pool guys helped me pull out two bushes, they set the heater on some pavers and levelled it) 4 hours? really? hmmmm
$342 Electrician
$500 HVAC guy to install approx. 12 feet of pipe (through two walls) from new gas meter to the heater.

TOTAL = $4582.

Cost to run (I keep it about 85F):
First partial month: (May)$176
June: $115
July: $78

EDIT: UPDATE for 2016 down the thread.

Sounds like a lot.... but I LOVE MY POOL!!!

pooldv · Jul 26, 2015

Here's to warm water! It makes all the difference. Thanks for the info!

engrav · Jul 26, 2015

daleyfolk said:
June: $115
July: $78

Interesting, thank you.
What was the ambient temperature in June and July in Boise?
Why? To compare to here on Puget Sound.

daleyfolk · Jul 26, 2015

In June and July it's been quite hot. High 80's, 90's, some 100's with a record 110 on June 28. We are a high-desert climate and it usually cools down at night by 15 degrees or so.

I'm pretty religious about covering the pool each night with solar blanket. (except when it was 110F, I left it off for about 3 nights)

engrav · Jul 27, 2015

thank you
with Puget Sound temps I will never achieve your low heating costs
oh well, what are grandchild giggles worth

daleyfolk · Sep 26, 2016

Original poster here...Updating my heating costs. Hoping this helps someone who is considering a gas pool heater.

2015:
May $176 186 therms
June $115 121 therms
July $78 81 therms
Aug $118 125 therms
Sept $205 217 therms
Oct $138 149 therms (shut it down first week in Oct.)

2016: (I kept the pool warmer this year...about 88F)
May $215 237 therms
June $175 192 therms
July $118 129 therms
Aug $116 126 therms
Sept $270 297 therms
(shut it down Sept 21)

Gas is billed at approximately $.95/therm.

LOVE LOVE LOVE my warm water!

pooldv · Sep 26, 2016

Thanks for the update. Are you still using a solar cover every (most) nights?

daleyfolk · Sep 26, 2016

Yes. I cover it every night.
I'm still covering it (to keep the leaves out) even though I'm letting the water temp drop before closing it.