Everything You Need to Know About Propane Pool Heaters

There are many types and styles of heaters, but only one will reliably heat your pool in a mater of no time with flick of a switch.  Propane heaters will heat your pool faster than electric or solar heaters, and like the latter they don’t require clear skies to run.  If you wonder how does a propane pool heater work, keep reading!

What Size Propane Heater Do I Need?

The pool’s surface area divided by three gives you the minimal BTU size recommended for that  particular surface area.  Continuing the example of a 15 x 30 pool, after dividing by 3 you get 150.  Therefore the minimum size heater that is recommended is 150,000 BTU’s. 

How Much Does it Cost to Heat a Pool with a Propane Heater?

As pricing are subject to change, be sure to verify with your provider.Typically one hour of propane will cost $18.00.  To heat an average pool (10-12K gallon) with no solar cover typically takes about 8-14 hours. 

What is the Most Efficient Way to Heat a Swimming Pool?

The fastest way to heat your pool is to use a propane heater and a solar cover.  It is omparable to heating your coffee in the microwave and covering it with a lid.  No matter how you plan to heat the pool, a solar cover will help you retain the heat.

Is a Propane Heater Worth the Investment?

While there are several types of pool heaters on the market, propane pool heaters are generally thought to be the most cost-effective choice.  Propane pool heaters are more efficient than other types and can heat your pool more quickly while using less fuel. 

How Much Does It Cost to Heat a Pool with Propane?

The average propane pool heater burns about 1 gallon of propane per hour per 100,000 BTU’s.  Since a propane heater for a standard sized pool (approx. 21,000 gallons) outputs 400,000 BTU’s, you will burn about four gallons of propane per hour.  The cost per gallon will vary depending on your provider.  Heating the pool with propane is very smart. 

What Size Heater Do I Need for a 10,000 Gallon Pool?

Approximately 100,000 BTU’s

Sizing a propane heater for inground pools is done by first matching the pool heater BTU output to pool size in gallons.  Or about 100,000 BTU’s for every 10,00 gallons of water.  Make sure the propane tank for the pool heater is in good working order.

How Many BTU’s Do I Need for a 20,000 Gallon Pool?

Approximately 200,000 BTU’s

Pool Heaters measure their power in BTU (British thermal units).  One BTU raises the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.  There are 8.33 pounds of water per gallon.  Therefore, if you have a 20,000 gallon swimming pool, it requires 200,000 BTU’s to increase the temperature by one degree.

How Much Propane Does a Pool Heater Use?

The average propane pool heater burns about 1 gallon of propane per hour per 100,000 BTU’s.  Since a propane pool heater for a 20,000 gallon pool outputs 400,000 BTU’s, you will burn about four gallons of propane per hour. 

Propane Tank Sizes for Pool Heater

Have you recently wondered about propane pool heater installation, and you’re now curious about the size of the propane tank that best matches it?  Wonder no more, for we researched this question and have the answer right here for you.

Large propane pool heaters typically need a 500-gallon storage tank. In contrast, a 250-gallon tank is enough for small to medium-sized pool heaters.

A typical pool heater consumes one gallon of propane for every 100,000 BTUs of heat output. Pool heaters are commonly 300,000 or 400,000 BTUs.  Your pool heater will consume four gallons of propane per hour if you’re using a 400,000 BTU pool heater.

Propane Pool Heater for Inground Pools

The heater comes in either natural gas or propane and is available for inground pools.  Gas pool heaters come in electronic or standing pilot versions.  The location can be anywhere with this type of pool.  You will need to run propane to the pool.

Propane Heater for Above Ground Pool

A propane heater is the most effective way to heat your above-ground pool.  A gas heater can raise the temperature of your pool water by 30 degrees Fahrenheit or more, greatly extending your pool season.  These heaters use propane to heat the water in the pool. 

Propane Pool Heater Installation

This is not too difficult to do.  Most in ground propane heaters can be installed in one day.  Above ground propane heaters can be installed in less than an hour.  Location is most important, so after figuring out where to put the heater, it can be installed.  The experts at Toronto Pool Supplies can answer all of your questions.

Benefits of Propane Pool Heater

Propane-powered heaters are proven to warm pools more quickly than electric heat pumps, and they maintain their heat better in cold weather.  Propane is more energy rich than natural gas, so you will use less fuel to heat the pool.  Propane is a more environmentally-friendly choice. 

A propane pool heater uses the energy created from ignited propane to heat the water of your pool.  Many people wonder, do propane pool heaters work?  The answer is a resounding yes.

They are one of the most efficient pool heating methods. Most propane pool heaters can raise your pool’s water temperature by at least 30 degrees.

It is not so much about how many degrees the water temperature can be raised. It is more important to bring the water to the ideal temperature for swimming, between 78 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.  Propane pool heaters will do just that.

If you’re looking to buy a good quality propane pool heater, visit our online pool store and get the best deal now!