choosing a heater for my above ground

[DaveC426913]

Hello. I am looking for a heating system for my above ground pool. My pool is 13 feet in diameter, approx. 4000 gallons and heavily shaded. I live in Toronto Ontario.

I've been using a solar heating system for years but it is inadequate (I do not have enough area in sunlight to make solar panels useful). With solar cover, I can keep the temp above 25C (75F) only during hot weather. Mostly, it's 21-23 (71-73F), which is just a bit too too cold for my family.

I'd like to keep it at least 25C as long as the air temp is 25 or more.

I am comparing the three other types (electric heater, propane heater and heat pump).

Propane would be great, but it sounds like I'd need to add $1000 to $1500 to run a buried gas line out to my pool (about 50 feet).

Electric sounds very convenient but very expensive in the long-run.

So now I'm looking at a heat pump. Very expensive up front, but cheapest in the long run. But apparently, they're noisy - like an air conditioner running for several hours. And they seem to be big - like for MUCH larger pools. Seems like overkill for my little tub.


I'd like to understand the costs and other factors and what options I have. Advice?

[PoolDoc]

A heat pump is only efficient when air temps are warm -- usually, 50 degrees F or higher.

If you ONLY want the heat pump to WARM the pool during the summer, it may work well for you. But, for a 4,000 gallon pool, you can probably buy quite a bit of propane, for the difference in cost between a propane installation, and a heat pump.

membership updated.

[DaveC426913]

A heat pump is only efficient when air temps are warm -- usually, 50 degrees F or higher.

Yeah no. I don't plan to use it if the temp is below 21 (72). It's just that our summer temps are mostly between 23 and 27, but the pool remains at 23-24.

If you ONLY want the heat pump to WARM the pool during the summer, it may work well for you. But, for a 4,000 gallon pool, you can probably buy quite a bit of propane, for the difference in cost between a propane installation, and a heat pump.

Hm. OK. Dos that include the install for the gas line?

[PoolDoc]

I would assume that a tank for a pool heater would be close, and the line short?

[DaveC426913]

I would assume that a tank for a pool heater would be close, and the line short?

No. Well, maybe 50 feet.

[PoolDoc]

Then, I don't know.

It's not something I have had any experience with in years. I was a licensed master plumber for over 25+ years, so when I ran into a problem like that, I just grabbed a roll of 1/2 or 3/4" Type L copper, a flaring tool, and some flare connectors and did it myself. But, that's not an option for many people.