DavidD:

Thanks for the site recommendation (http://poolheatpumps.com). I also found another site - http://shop.solardirect.com/ - which offers side-by-side comparisons of the virtues of gas/electric/solar heating and sells products for each one. (An aside: I've not ordered from either site and haven't found independent reviews of either, so I can't speak to the customer satisfaction).

I've zeroed in on the Jandy AE2500-t heat pump, rated at 115,000 BTUs, which seems hefty enough to heat my 29,000-gallon pool, based on my research thus far. It's listed at $2,995.00 with free delivery.

I've consulted with a couple of local installers who are quoting me installation of about $400 to $500 (one caveat: I need to expand the subpanel at my pool, which is currently rated at 60 amps for my pump, filter and booster pump. The Jandy would draw an additional 60 amps, so I'm in the process of getting a quote for the subpanel upgrade). The install includes connecting the Jandy to the electrical box and attaching it to the filtration system. (So, that wild $7,000 over-the-phone estimate was grossly inflated and underinformed).

rlp, I had initially considered a gas heater. They seemed to be about $500 to $1,000 less than comparable heat pumps. But dealers and installers - along with some independent research - convinced me that the heat pump was the way to go: higher initial costs seemed to be offset by lower operating costs (ie, cheaper electric than gas power). Additionally, I'd need to run a natural gas line from my house to about 150-200 feet to the pool area, at about $1,000 for the first 50 feet. That about gave me a heart attack - and started to sway me toward a heat pump.

The following link contains U.S. Department of Energy comparisons of how to heat a swimming pool: gas, solar and electric:

http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/.../mytopic=13160

It's been a useful thread, rlp.

Thanks,

Z