Many people in Florida enjoy using their home pools, and the cooler weather doesn’t stop them either. People near Tampa can still enjoy plenty of time in their pools when the weather gets cooler during the winter months, thanks to pool heaters that ensure the water remains at a comfortable temperature all year round.
Before investing your money in a pool heater, it is essential to know more about this pool equipment and the process involved to help you prepare for this next step in upgrading your home pool.
The Space Needed for Your Pool Heater
A pool heater will need at least 3-4 feet of space, so you should check whether this is possible with your existing arrangements. If you are having a new pool constructed at the same time, you can make decisions that ensure you can adequately fit and position a pool heater. However, if you already have a pool at home and find that you do not have enough space for a pool heater, you may need to consider renovating and making adjustments.
| Heater Type | Typical Dimensions (L×W×H) | Weight Range |
| Gas heater (propane/natural gas) | ~30″ × 30″ × 25″ | 120–180 lbs |
| Electric heat pump | ~34″ × 34″ × 40″ | 200–250 lbs |
| Solar heater panels | Each panel ~4′ × 10′ | Lightweight (installed on roof or rack) |
So physically, gas and electric units are about the size of a large outdoor AC condenser or a small washing machine.
The actual size of the pool heater you need will also depend on the size of your pool. Every 10,000 gallons of water in your pool will require around 100,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs) to heat. If you are undecided, choose a pool heater that is slightly larger, as this can help to heat your pool faster and more effectively without causing strain.
| Heater Type | Average Time to Heat (per 10°F rise) | Notes |
| Gas Heater | 6–12 hours | Fastest option; ideal for occasional use or spas. |
| Electric Heat Pump | 1–2 days | Slower, but more energy-efficient in warm climates like Tampa. |
| Solar Heater | 1–3 days (depends on sunlight) | Very cost-effective; depends entirely on sunshine and system size. |
🌤️ In Tampa’s mild climate, your starting water temperature in winter is often around 65–72°F, and most people prefer 78–84°F — meaning you’ll usually need to raise it about 10–15°F.
Different Types of Pool Heaters
Like many appliances and devices, not all pool heaters are made equally. There are some important differences between different types of pool heaters that you should be aware of. A good pool company near Tampa will also be able to provide further advice about pool heaters and which version might suit your pool best.
Heat pumps are among the most common types of pool heaters. They take heat from outside and transfer it through a compressor and a heat exchanger. The other popular type of pool heaters are gas heaters, which work well in homes where there is a natural gas line. Heat pumps will use less energy, though they are typically more expensive than gas heaters. On the other hand, gas heaters may be cheaper but are not always as efficient as heat pumps. If you are unable to decide which type of pool heater to choose, speak with a pool company like JJB Pools and Spa for more guidance.
| Example (Tampa Average Conditions) | |
| 15,000-gallon pool | Starting temp: 70°F → Target: 82°F Ambient temp: 75°F daytime / 60°F nighttime |
| Approximate heating times: | |
| Gas heater (250k BTU): | ~10–14 hours |
| Heat pump (100k BTU): | ~1.5 days |
| Solar panels (6-panel system): | ~2 sunny days |
The Cost of Heating a Pool
Like other energy costs, you will need to pay to heat your pool. On average, you should expect to pay around $2,000 per year if you are using a heat pump. The cost will depend on the size of your pool and how long it takes to heat up, as well as the climate, how often you choose to heat up your pool, and your desired temperature. Gas heaters could cost as much as double the amount, especially if you want to heat your pool often throughout the year, although they heat much quicker due to higher BTUs.
| Heat Pump (common in Tampa — efficient in warm climates) | |
Cost (at $0.16/kWh) = 88 × $0.16 ≈ $14.10 to raise the pool 12°F. | Typical runtime: a 100k BTU heat pump draws roughly 5–6 kW when running (so ~15–18 hours of runtime in total could be spread over sunny/warm daytime hours). |
| Maintenance / daily running to hold temp (ballpark): | Maintaining in Tampa often needs ~30–60 kWh/day , depending on cover/use/overnight lows → $4.50–$9.60/day at $0.15–0.16/kWh (using a heat pump). (This varies a lot with wind, nighttime temps, and whether you use a cover.) |
| Natural-Gas Heater | |
If the gas commodity is roughly $1.00/therm (example utility component), fuel cost ≈ 18.8 × $1.00 ≈ $18.80. | Gas heaters provide heat quickly. Assume 80% thermal efficiency (typical). |
| Per-hour quick-heat cost: | A large gas heater (e.g., 400k BTU) might burn ~4 therms/hr → ~$4/hr at $1.00/therm (check your local billed therm price). Quick heating is the gas strength. |
| Solar Heating | |
| Fuel cost = essentially $0 | Performance depends on panel area, sunshine, and cover. In Tampa, you often can raise temps in 1–3 days of good sun with adequate panel area. Upfront install cost and system sizing matter. Solar is the cheapest long-term, but slower for a one-time quick warm-up. Industry round estimates put solar heating operating “fuel” cost near $0–$2/day after amortized install. |
Typical equipment and regional energy prices (Tampa / Florida, Nov 2025):
- Electricity ≈ $0.15–$0.16 / kWh.
- Residential natural gas commodity cost examples in FL near $1.00 / therm (utilities show ~ $1.00/therm components for 2025, but final billed price varies by utility & fees).
| Quick comparison | (approximate cost to raise 15,000 gal pool 12°F) |
| Heat pump (COP 5) | ~$14 (electricity at $0.16/kWh). |
| Gas heater (80% eff) | ~$19 (using $1.00/therm as a conservative utility component). |
| Solar panels | $0 fuel, but may take longer (0–2 days), and you must account for amortized panel/install cost. |
Note: those per-event costs are for the initial warm-up. Daily maintenance (holding temperature) is usually cheaper with a heat pump than with gas for ongoing use in Tampa — heat pumps are far more efficient per unit of heat.
What Other Factors Should I Consider?
| Heater Size and Efficiency | A larger BTU gas heater or higher-output heat pump will heat faster. Undersized heaters take longer and work harder. |
| Pool Size and Volume | The more gallons of water, the longer it takes. Example: 10,000-gallon pool → faster (less water to heat) 25,000-gallon pool → slower |
| Outdoor Temperature & Humidity | Tampa’s mild winters help heat pumps work efficiently (best at air temps above 50°F). Cool nights will cause more heat loss, especially if the pool isn’t covered. |
| Sun Exposure & Wind | Full sun during the day helps retain heat. Wind increases evaporation and heat loss. |
| Use of a Pool Cover | A solar cover or liquid solar blanket can reduce heat loss by 50–70%, making a huge difference overnight. |
Choose Your New Pool Heater
Decisions about a new pool heater will depend on various factors, including how often you intend to use your pool, the weather conditions you will be experiencing, and how warm you like the water to be. These factors will help you to determine the size and type of the pool heater, and it will help specialists at a pool company to give you the most valuable and tailored advice. To explore pool heater options and get further advice, speak to the team at JJB Pools and Spa near Tampa.
Picture Credit: iStock
JJB Pools & Spas provides expert pool maintenance, pool repair, pool resurfacing, pebble surfacing, and pool renovation across Tampa Bay — serving Largo, Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Belleair, South Tampa, Hyde Park, Palma Ceia, St. Pete Beach, Westchase, Odessa, Nine Eagles, Davis Islands & Clearwater Beach, and surrounding areas. We use only the best pool and spa industry brands, including Wet Edge Technologies, Primera Stone, Prism Matrix, Luna Quartz, Signature Matrix, and Aquabella Tile. JJB Pools is also a platinum warranty station for all Hayward brand equipment, and an expert in Variable Speed Pumps and energy-efficient pool heating. Call for a free estimate! (727) 412-4373