So I literally have the same pool and was looking at this heater. This reviewer said 1 degree an hour for a 35,000 btu heater in so-cal (and I have a blanket). 1-2 degrees an hour? Is that possible with only a 35k btu and 7-8,000 gallons?
Does this sound right for an electric pool heater?
- Thread starter mrdorkdar
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 62,689
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Not possible. 8000 gallons weighs about 66000 pounds. You would need 66000 BTU per hour to raise the temperature of 8000 gallons of water 1 degF.
So I’m assuming gas is just the way to go? Not sure what my gas costs per therm but I know my electricity is $.43 per KW and if I get a big electric heater it will be more costly than gas.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,689
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
You live in California. Who knows which will be the most cost efficient going forward there.
In the bulk of the USA, natural gas is most efficient for quick heating requirements. In some parts, heat pumps are more efficient as they want slow and steady maintenance of pool water temperature.
In the bulk of the USA, natural gas is most efficient for quick heating requirements. In some parts, heat pumps are more efficient as they want slow and steady maintenance of pool water temperature.
Would I be correct in that (with google AI) a 75000 btu electric heater like the one linked below, would use roughly 2-3KW an hour? If you're saying that should be big enough to raise the temp at least 1 degree an hour, then if my pool water right now is 72, and I want to raise it to at least 85 just once, at $.43 a KW, then it would cost me $16-$17? I'm just looking for a rough guesstimate obviously.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,975
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Here is rough math...you can work out your own numbers:
www.troublefreepool.com
Inground Pool Upgrades - salt, new VS pump, and now FILTER? HELP!
So i've been online researching everything. and i'm stuck so now i'm here looking for real world opinions. Pool size 40' x 20' - approximately 36000 gallons No large debris in pool typically, nothing like someone with trees hanging overhead - no trees close by but we do get occasional leaves or...
www.troublefreepool.com
- Nov 23, 2014
- 215
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
It looks like that review was probably written by the same OP (@DigitalGuru) who opened this thread I've gambled on a Aquastrong 120v Pool Heater for a 4500gal AGP. Thoughts? If so his pool is actually 4500 gallons so his experience may be close to accurate. Just that the heat pump cited is "rated for 9000 gallon pools' or 8000, whatever, so they say.
If you're trying to compare costs, then you would need to know that gas cost and do the math, comparing your .43 per Kwh (Kilowatthour not kilowatt) to the equivalent purchase of gas. Good examples as @PoolStored pointed out, here: Inground Pool Upgrades - salt, new VS pump, and now FILTER? HELP! Links to some gas costs also in that post. By contrast, I pay 14 cents/kwh in south FL now in 2025, and I read that for natural gas some locations ask for twice or 3x or even 5x (in Hawaii) what Ohio charges for natural gas. Gads - I guess mileage and priorities vary!
DigitalGuru
Gold Supporter
- Feb 20, 2024
- 48
- Pool Size
- 4545
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Intex Krystal Clear
While I wasn't the reviewer that op posted, it does sound like my experience. Ours didn't arrive with the cord, they shipped one and it's been working pretty well since. I think it does use about 1.5kw an hour or so for 1-2 degree increase. Humidity plays a big part in its efficiency.