Heat pump or gas pool heater: which is cheaper near you?
Running cost and all-in cost give different answers
Per month of swimming, a heat pump is cheaper to run than gas in 3,161 of 3,206 cities: it moves heat out of the air rather than burning fuel, at three to six units of heat per unit of electricity. But it typically costs about $5,000 installed and lasts about 10 years, against about $3,000 and 8 years for a gas heater. Spread the purchase over its life and the heat pump is cheaper all-in in 1,692 cities (53%). The split depends on how many months you heat and on your state's electricity and gas prices.
Where a heat pump wins
| City | Heat pump running/yr | Gas running/yr | Heat pump all-in | Gas all-in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $618 | $817 | $1,168 | $1,242 |
| Houston, TX | $215 | $519 | $765 | $944 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $174 | $417 | $724 | $842 |
| San Antonio, TX | $265 | $628 | $815 | $1,053 |
These are long, warm seasons: more months of heating means more months for cheap running costs to pay back the higher price.
Where gas wins
| City | Heat pump running/yr | Gas running/yr | Heat pump all-in | Gas all-in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $302 | $361 | $852 | $786 |
| Chicago, IL | $112 | $135 | $662 | $560 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $133 | $192 | $683 | $617 |
| Dallas, TX | $74 | $185 | $624 | $610 |
Short seasons or expensive electricity favour gas, and a heat pump also loses efficiency in cool air and is not counted at all in months averaging below 50°F. If you already have a gas line near the pool equipment, ask for both quotes.
Before you buy either
Check your city's page first. In most cities a cover or solar panels get you most of the season for less, and both heaters here are priced assuming you already use a cover. Ask any installer to size the heater to your pool's surface area, not its volume.
Related: Does a cover alone get you there? · Are solar panels enough? · When to open your pool.