Carl,

Thank you for the reply!

If I do not use propane then I have to use a heat pump, but the largest heat pump I can find is less than 200,000 BTUs at top efficiency and conditions.

My decision is to spend 2X as much for the heater, have a lot more parts to break, but hopefully make back savings on energy with a heat pump - if electric rates do not rise over the life of the heater. I used to own a diesel car thinking that form of energy would be cheaper and paying more for the diesel engine option was a good idea. Ha... wrong!

The pool installer claims he has plenty of unhappy customers with heat pumps because in St. Louis, MO USA there are many days when environmental conditions are not right for a heat pump to work well. I think it has to be above 50 degree or maybe even warmer.

All comments appreciated. Thank you!