Pool Heater Replacement
A new pool heater costs $2,200–$6,500 installed depending on type. The choice between gas and a heat pump is really a choice between fast heating and cheap heating — and your climate largely decides which matters.
Three types, three different trade-offs
| Type | Installed | Running cost | Heats fast? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural gas | $2,800–$5,500 | High | Yes — hours | Spas, occasional use, cold climates |
| Propane | $2,800–$5,500 | Highest | Yes — hours | Where natural gas is unavailable |
| Electric heat pump | $3,200–$6,500 | Low | No — days | Warm climates, regular use |
| Solar | $3,500–$8,000 | Near zero | No — passive | Sunny climates, season extension |
Gas or heat pump? Climate decides
A gas heater burns fuel to make heat, so it works at any temperature and raises pool temperature in hours. A heat pump moves heat from the air into the water, which is far cheaper to run but depends on the air being warm enough — efficiency falls as ambient temperature drops, and below roughly 50°F most units become impractical.
That gives a reasonably clear rule. If you want to heat a pool or spa quickly and occasionally, or you live somewhere with genuinely cold winters, gas. If you want to keep a pool warm through a long season in a warm climate, a heat pump costs a fraction as much to run.
Choose gas if
You have an attached spa, you heat occasionally on demand, you want the pool warm in a day, or your winters are genuinely cold.
Choose a heat pump if
You are in Florida, Southern California, Arizona or the Gulf Coast, and you want the pool warm continuously through a long season.
Choose solar if
You have unshaded roof or ground area, you mainly want to extend the shoulder season, and you can accept passive heating with no on-demand control.
Consider both
A heat pump for baseline warmth plus a gas heater for the spa is a common combination on higher-end installations.
Sizing matters more than brand
An undersized heater is the single most common complaint about pool heating, and it cannot be fixed by anything except a bigger heater. The unit runs constantly, never reaches the set temperature, and wears out early.
Sizing depends on pool surface area — because that is where heat is lost — plus your climate, how much temperature rise you want, and whether you use a cover. A pool cover is the cheapest heating upgrade available and roughly halves heat loss.
- Pool surface area. Heat is lost from the surface, so area matters more than volume for sizing.
- Desired temperature rise. How much warmer than ambient you want the water.
- Wind exposure. An exposed pool loses heat considerably faster than a sheltered one.
- Cover use. A cover roughly halves heat loss, and can let you size down.
- Spa demand. Spas need rapid heating, which effectively requires gas.
What this project needs measured
Measurements are only requested when they change the price of the work you selected. Everything below is collected inside the estimator — you can enter dimensions you already know or measure as you go.
Required
No measurement required
This project is diagnosed from symptoms and equipment details rather than dimensions.
Only if it applies
Pool interior surface area
Resurfacing and finish work are priced by the square footage of the interior shell.
What the estimator will ask you
- Current heater type and age
- Approximate pool volume, for sizing
- Whether you have an attached spa
- Gas supply available, and line size if known
- Electrical capacity at the pad
- How you use the pool — season extension or year-round
- Photos of the existing heater and pad
How to read a PoolSavr estimate
- Step 1
Instant estimate
Based on your project selections and general pricing assumptions. Useful for deciding whether a project is realistic.
- Step 2
Measured estimate
Uses your pool, spa, or deck dimensions to price the work against the areas actually being resurfaced, tiled, or replaced.
- Step 3
Contractor proposal
Prepared by a licensed professional after inspecting the site. This is the only number that becomes a contract.
PoolSavr is an estimating and matching platform. We do not perform pool work ourselves — licensed local professionals do. Contractors pay PoolSavr for qualified project leads, which is how the estimating tools stay free for homeowners. A PoolSavr estimate is a planning range, never a guaranteed quote — read thefull estimate disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a new pool heater cost installed?
- Roughly $2,800–$5,500 for a gas heater and $3,200–$6,500 for an electric heat pump, installed. Gas line upgrades, dedicated electrical circuits and permits can add $500–$2,500 on top, so ask what a quote includes.
- Is a heat pump better than a gas heater?
- Cheaper to run, slower to heat, and dependent on warm air. A heat pump costs a fraction as much per degree in a warm climate but becomes impractical below roughly 50°F ambient. Gas heats in hours at any temperature. Warm climate and continuous use favours the heat pump; spas, occasional use and cold winters favour gas.
- What size pool heater do I need?
- Sizing is driven by pool surface area, your climate, the temperature rise you want, wind exposure and whether you use a cover. Undersizing is the most common mistake and cannot be corrected later — have the installer size it against your actual pool rather than a rule of thumb.
- How long does a pool heater last?
- Gas heaters typically last 10–15 years, heat pumps slightly longer, and solar systems 15–20. Water chemistry is the biggest variable for gas and heat pump units, since it determines how quickly the heat exchanger corrodes or scales.
- Will a pool cover reduce my heating costs?
- Substantially. Most pool heat is lost through evaporation from the surface, and a cover roughly halves that. It is the cheapest heating upgrade available, and fitting one before sizing a heater may let you install a smaller unit.
Ready to see what your project costs?
Start with the work you are considering. You will get a preliminary range before anyone asks for your phone number, and you decide whether to request a contractor review at the end.