Are you asking yourself, “Do I need a pool heater in Florida?” Unless you’re used to swimming in cold water, you’ll likely want some supplemental heating over the winter. Florida has a warm and welcoming climate, but the entire state still experiences cool enough winter temperatures to keep your pool feeling far from tropical.
Heating a pool in Florida will keep it comfortable to use all year-round, and you’ll likely only need the supplemental heat during the winter. However, it does come with a cost. Let’s explore what most homeowners spend to heat their Florida pool, how to reduce those costs, and whether it’s worth the effort.
Average Cost of Heating a Pool in Florida
Many sources that display average costs for pool heating in Florida are basing their numbers on outdated electricity and propane rates. It’s fairly unlikely you’ll be able to heat your pool for the entire winter for as little as $500, even with a highly efficient heat pump and solar heating system. It all comes down to the amount of heat needed and the high cost of electricity, at an average of 15 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) across Florida.
Your location plays a big role as well. Assuming that you’re in South Florida and want to a pool of 14′ by 28′ around 78 degrees F, you can expect to spend around $110 per month for a heat pump and $640 per month for a propane-powered heater. In the Northern part of Florida, the cost rises to about $137 per month for a heat pump and nearly $800 per month for propane heating. You can expect to spend even more if you use a traditional electrical resistance heater, which is rare now, but some are still found in legacy pool systems across the state.
This all assumes a starting water temperature of around 60 degrees F as well. When nighttime temperatures dip lower than that, which is common from December through February in the state, your heating system will work harder and use more energy to counteract the cooling.
Making Pool Heating More Effective (and More Affordable)
There are many tricks for increasing pool heating efficiency in Florida, and most of them will decrease your monthly costs over the winter without sacrificing comfort. While solar pool heating systems are rarely enough to completely heat a pool during days under 60 degrees F, they’re still good at providing nearly free heat during sunny days and minimizing how much your heat pump or propane heater has to work. However, they can require an investment of $1,000 or more to add to your system.
Pool blankets are much more affordable and tend to cut heating costs in the winter by 30% or more. Just the act of covering the pool every evening and uncovering it every morning helps maximize natural solar heat gain while minimizing heat loss at night. You’ll get cleaner water and put less wear-and-tear on your filtration system as well. Automated systems are more costly, but they eliminate the need to remember to use the blanket and quickly pay for themselves in heating savings.
But a pool blanket won’t keep your water toasty and warm all by itself. To maximize the benefits of any heating system you choose while also reducing what you spend to operate it, you need to maximize the circulation of water through your pool. This creates even mixing, stabilizing the temperature, and ensuring heaters don’t run when they’re not needed. It’s all too easy for a shaded or cold pocket of water to trick the heater’s sensors and keep it running when the rest of the pool is perfectly warm.
Heating and Circulation You Can Trust
That’s where the e360™ system comes in. Not only does it provide more even and efficient heating, it also involves a water valve and contour jet combination that greatly improves circulation and flow regardless of the pump you use. If your variable speed pump just isn’t circulating the water enough, it’ll cost more to heat due to uneven mixing. Improving circulation also increases the efficiency of filters and cleaning equipment, resulting in a sparkling clean pool that you’ll spend less to keep warm over the Florida winter.
Lengthening the swimming season can boost your health and help you stay fit with less wear and tear on your joints. Even if you plan to shut your Florida pool down for the coldest part of the year, you deserve a comfortable aquatic environment in the late fall and early spring. Consider upgrading your backyard pool with the e360™ system. Down jets force warm surface water down to the bottom, creating a mix that feels warmer and reduces how often your heater has to run. You’ll lose fewer chemicals to evaporation and sun exposure as well, resulting in a pool that is less expensive to keep clean and healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most cost-effective way to heat a pool?
Heat pumps cost the least to operate, especially ground-source systems. However, they take longer to raise the water temperature. Propane heaters are quick but costly to run, and electrical resistance heaters are very expensive and thus rarely used now. Solar systems can provide supplemental heat at little cost, but they won’t provide more than 10 degrees or so of heating.
How does increasing circulation help with pool heating?
Florida pools tend to stay warm at the surface due to the sun and heating efforts, but the water near the floor is colder and rarely circulates to mix with the rest. Increasing circulation and mixing result in a more consistent temperature, which prevents the heater from running when it’s not needed.
Get Started on Lowering Your Pool Heating Costs
Don’t go through another winter without the use of your backyard water feature due to the high costs of heating a pool in Florida. Get more out of your pool with less work and expense by adding a circulation system. Explore your options today.
