Swimming is normally a fun packed activity and a good way to work up a sweat. Whether, you are lounging on a floater over the weekend or engaged in an intensive workout, swimming appeals to most of us. Plus, just because of weather changes, it doesn’t mean you can enjoy your pool.
The best electric pool heaters give you the freedom to enjoy the water even as the cold seasons approach. These bad boys are extremely cost effective and easy to maintain. Their ecofriendly design also makes them an ideal choice for your home.
Listed below are the 3 best electric pool heaters in 2023. Each outlines its unique features and strengths. The choice is all yours to go for an option that appeals most to you.
OUR TOP PICK
FibroPool In Ground Electric
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Slim and weatherproof case design
- Quick installation in less than 30 minutes
- A clean and efficient electricity system
- Easy set digital panel with add-on controls compatibility
- Rugged enamel coated steel chassis for al weather performance
Wattage: 16kW
Dimensions: 16” x 40” x 24”
Weight: 120 lbs.
Price rating: $$$$
EDITORS CHOICE
Happybuy Electric
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Intelligent self-diagnostic control system to monitor the heater’s function
- Temperature sensor to monitor and automatically adjust temperature settings
- Widely used for small pools, hot tubs, and massage pools
- Ultra lightweight
- Affordably priced
Wattage: 11kW
Dimensions: 4.7″ x 22″x 14.9”
Weight: 16.5lbs
Price rating: $$$
BEST VALUE
EcoSmart Tankless Electric
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Smart sensory flow system to enhance function and efficiency
- Digital thermostat control to set and maintain the desired temperature
- Compact and easy to install design
- Compatible with EcoSmart remote control
- High and energy efficient
Wattage: 18kW
Dimensions: 6″ x 14″x 17”
Weight: 24.2lbs
Price rating: $$$
How To Choose An Electric Pool Heater – Buying Guide
Cost Of Operation
When choosing the best electric heater to invest in you must also think of the cost of operation rather than just the buying cost. You don’t want to end up operating a financially draining swimming pool electric heater. The one advantage to using electric pool heaters over gas pool heaters is that they considerably cost less to operate and maintain.
Electric swimming pool heater, however, runs a little bit more expensive than heater pumps or solar panel heaters. In general, the cost of operating an electric pool heater that caters to a single pool can range anywhere from $600 to $800 a month. The energy system of the best above ground electric pool heater is designed to be efficient thus, the lower cost of operation.
The energy consumption of your pool heater can be examined by looking at the Coefficient of Performance (COP). The COP of an electric pool heater is normally 1 whilst that of a heat pump is 5 and that of solar panels is 10. But remember solar panels and heat pumps consume renewable energy thus, their cost is lower even with their higher COP. It is wise to go for electric pool heaters with lower wattage to save costs. This is especially advised for those with smaller pools, a spa or a hot tub.
Lifespan
The best above ground electric pool heater should be durable and of good quality. Typically, your electric pool heater should last anywhere between 5 to 10 years. Plus, sometimes the durability and quality of your heater are affected by how you use and care for it. If you abuse your electric pool heater, chances are that it will not last long.
However, if you take proper care according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, the heater will last longer. Some of the best electric pool heaters that have been well taken care off last up to 15 years. Going through the reviews of an electric pool heater you wish to buy helps you understand a lot about its function, durability, and quality.
If you go through reviews of real-life customers, you certainly going to know if the heater is good or not. The choice of materials and construction quality of your electric heater also highly affects lifespan. You want to go for rugged and highly protective material to withstand all kinds of weather and chemicals to ensure your heater is safe.
Materials such as titanium, stainless steel, and copper are highly favored. Other manufacturers even install automatic monitoring and troubleshooting systems into the heaters to prevent the risk of damages, burns or malfunctions.
Environmental Damage
The best above ground electric pool heaters are also environmentally friendly. In fact, the best electric pool heaters, heat pumps and solar panels are built to be extremely environmentally safe. This is because these types of pool heaters do not emit carbon dioxide (CO2) to the environment. Gas heaters, however, are not environmentally safe.
This is because gas heaters utilize fuels that emit a large amount of carbon dioxide. To ensure that you play your role in keeping the environment safe, always look out for the heater’s features. The features will clearly state if the heater is built per environmental regulations. Some states even have laws regarding the environment that strictly require pool owners to follow.
You might also like: Perfect Solar Pool Heaters
Size And Power
When choosing the best above ground electric pool heater, look at the size and power of the heater. This is entirely important because picking the right size and power ensures that the heater is ideal for your pool size. The power of your electric heater is denoted by wattage (W) or kilowattage (kW).
And as with all other electrical equipment, the higher the power, the more heat energy released to warm your pool. This means that higher-powered heaters will take less time to cool your pool. Additionally, the higher the power, the bigger the pool your heater can warm.
The size is denoted by BTU. BTU stands for British thermal unit and is a non-traditional SI unit for measuring heat. This is the amount of heat required to raise a temperature of one pound of water by a degree Fahrenheit.
The table below highlights a sample guide to picking the right heater size for your pool;
| Size of heater (BTU) | Pool Size (in gallons) | Surface area (in square feet) |
| 100,000 – 200,000 | 1000 – 5000 | 200 |
| 200,000 – 300,000 | 5000 – 10,000 | 200 – 300 |
| 300,000 – 400,000 | 10,000 – 20,000 | 300 – 500 |
| 400,000 – 500,000 | 20,000 – 40,000 | 500 – 800 |
FAQs
Q: How Much Does It Cost To Run An Electric Pool Heater?
It costs anywhere from US$600 to 800 a month to run an electric pool heater for a single pool. It is relatively cheaper to run an electric pool heater than a gas heater. It is, however, cheaper to run a heat pump or solar compared to an electric pool heater because they use renewable energy.
Q: Which Is Better Electric Or Gas Pool Heater?
An electric pool heater is much better than a gas heater. This is because electric heaters cost less to operate and built with an efficient energy system. Additionally, electric pool heaters also cost less when purchasing and are inexpensive to install. Furthermore, electric pool heaters are not affected by temperature or weather. Gas pool heaters on the other end are not eco-friendly because they tend to produce a high amount of carbon dioxide.
Q: How Much Electricity Does An Electric Pool Heater Use?
It all depends on the size and power of the heater. Typically, an electric heater will use anywhere from 5kW to 20kW per hour. This is connected to the BTU size of the heater. So for example, an electric heater with 200,000 BTU will use 10 kW per hour.
Q: How Does An Electric Pool Heater Work?
Electric pool heaters are fitted with a resistor which is heated up by the electricity. The heated resistor allows water to go through which heats water. As the water passes through the resistor, it cools down. The water is then pumped into the pool. The process repeats as long as the heater remains switched on. The speed and duration of this process depend on the size and power of the heater.
If the size and power are higher, the process will be faster resulting in the warming of your pool in just a few hours. This, however, means the cost of operation becomes higher. The opposite happens for electric heaters with a smaller size and power. If you have a smaller pool, then a smaller sized heater with lower power is just fine.
Globo Surf Overview
The electric pool heater reviews outline the advantage of owning one. Not only are they are a cost-effective option, during both purchase, installation, and operation, but they are also highly effective and reliable. Their several available options in power and sizing also give you a wide option that suits your pool needs.
Their ecofriendly design on the other end makes them an excellent choice for the 21st century. The buying guide on the other end details what to look for when looking for the best electric pool heater. The list of the 3 best electric pool heaters above is an excellent avenue to begin.
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