SOLAR POOL HEATER VS.
HEAT PUMP
Compare cost, performance, operating costs and heating control to find the right pool heater for your needs.
Comparison Aspect | Solar Pool Heater | Electric Heat Pump |
|---|---|---|
Best For | Extending Swim Season | Controlled Temperature |
Upfront Cost | Similar | Similar |
Energy Source | Sun | Electricity |
Operating Cost | Very Low | Ongoing Electric Cost |
Temperature Control | Weather Dependent | More Precise |
Cloudy Weather | Reduced Output | Can Continue Heating |
Noise | Silent | Fan & Compressor |
Similar upfront cost.
Very different long-term operating cost.
SOLAR POOL HEATER
PERFORMANCE
A properly sized solar pool heating system can significantly increase average pool temperature and extend the swimming season using free energy from the sun.
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Performance depends on available sunlight, collector area, roof direction, shade, climate and pool heat loss.
HEAT PUMP
POOL HEATER
PERFORMANCE
A properly sized heat pump provides more predictable temperature control and can maintain a selected pool temperature when outdoor conditions are within the unit's operating range.
Heating capacity and efficiency decrease as outdoor air temperatures fall.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Pool water is circulated through solar collectors installed on a roof or ground rack. Solar energy heats the water as it passes through the collectors before returning it to the swimming pool.
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The system normally operates during sunny daytime hours using the pool's existing circulation system.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
An electric pool heat pump extracts heat from the surrounding outdoor air and transfers that heat into the pool water using a compressor and heat exchanger.
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Electricity powers the compressor and fan whenever the heat pump operates.
HOW MUCH DOES EACH POOL HEATER COST?
SOLAR POOL HEATER
7 Techno-Solis 4' × 12' Deluxe System
Collector Area
336 sq. ft.
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Equipment
Around $3,200 shipped
Typical Installation
Around $1,000–$2,000
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TOTAL INSTALLED
$4,200–$5,200
Note: Local factory pickup can reduce the equipment cost.
HEAT PUMP POOL HEATER
Approx. 125,000–140,000 BTU Heat Pump
Equipment
Around $3,500–$4,500
Typical Installation
Around $700–$1,500+
TOTAL INSTALLED
$4,200–$6,000+
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Note: Electrical upgrades, breakers, wiring, equipment pads, plumbing changes and permitting can increase installation cost.
HOW MUCH DOES EACH POOL HEATER COST?
SOLAR
VERY LOW HEATING ENERGY COST
Solar energy itself is free. When the solar system operates during the pool's normal filtration schedule, there may be little additional electricity required beyond operating the circulation pump.
Additional pump runtime can increase electricity consumption.
HEAT PUMP
ONGOING ELECTRICITY COST
A heat pump consumes electricity whenever the compressor and fan operate.
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Actual operating cost depends on pool size, desired temperature, outdoor temperature, electricity rates, heat-pump efficiency, operating hours and whether a pool cover is used.
The initial installed costs can be similar. The difference grows over time because a heat pump uses electricity whenever it runs, while solar uses the sun as its primary heating energy source.
HOW IS EFFICIENCY MEASURED?
SOLAR
Solar thermal collectors are tested for thermal performance under standardized conditions. Collector ratings help compare the amount of useful heat produced by different collectors.
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System performance also depends on collector area, sunlight, orientation, shade, wind and installation conditions.
HEAT PUMP
Heat-pump efficiency is commonly expressed as Coefficient of Performance (COP).
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COP compares the amount of heat delivered to the pool with the electrical energy consumed. Heat-pump output and COP vary with air temperature, humidity and pool-water temperature.
SIZING A POOL HEATER
SOLAR HEATER SIZING
Solar pool heating systems are commonly sized using collector area relative to pool surface area.
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A general starting range is approximately:
50%-100% of pool surface area
Actual sizing should also account for climate, desired swimming season, roof direction, shade, screen enclosures and pool covers. DOE also uses the 50%–100% range as a general guideline.
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4'x8'
4'x10'
4'x12'
HEAT PUMP SIZING
Heat pumps are primarily compared by BTU output, but the required size depends on pool surface area, desired temperature rise, climate, wind exposure, pool-cover use and how quickly the owner wants the pool heated.
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For the example pool on this page:
Approximately 125,000 - 140,000 BTU
LONGEVITY & MAINTENANCE
SOLAR POOL HEATER
Unglazed solar pool heating systems have few mechanical components and typically require relatively little routine maintenance.
Solar pool heating systems commonly have service lives measured in decades, depending on the collector, installation, climate and water chemistry.
HEAT PUMP POOL HEATER
Heat pumps contain compressors, fans, refrigeration components and electrical controls, so they generally have more components that may eventually require service.
DOE's analysis of consumer pool heaters found an average equipment lifetime of roughly 11 years, although actual life varies considerably with operating conditions, maintenance and water chemistry.
WHICH POOL HEATER IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
CHOOSE SOLAR IF...
You want to extend your swimming season, have sufficient sunny roof or ground space and want to minimize long-term pool-heating energy costs.
CHOOSE A HEAT PUMP IF...
Maintaining a specific temperature is more important and you want the ability to heat the pool when solar conditions are unfavorable.
Similar Upfront Cost. Different Long-Term Cost.
Solar and heat pumps can have similar initial installed costs. The key difference is that a heat pump continues consuming electricity whenever it operates, while solar uses free energy from the sun.
NOT SURE HOW MUCH SOLAR YOUR POOL NEEDS?
Get a solar pool heating system sized for your pool, property, climate and installation conditions.