The short answer: heat pumps cost significantly less to operate than gas heaters at nearly every current energy rate scenario in the United States. The longer answer involves your pool size, your local gas and electricity rates, your season length, and which specific heat pump model you are comparing against which gas heater. This article shows you both the data and the formula so you can run the numbers for your own pool.
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The Direct Answer by Pool Size
The following table uses NY-area energy conditions (natural gas at $1.50 per therm, electricity at $0.20 per kWh) and a 90-day active pool season as the baseline. Gas heater efficiency is 80 percent, which is the standard for modern residential gas pool heaters. Heat pump efficiency uses a COP of 5.5 as the conservative seasonal average (the B+D models at COP 6.4 are shown separately).
|
Pool Size |
Gas Heater Cost/Season |
Heat Pump Cost/Season |
Annual Savings |
Payback Window |
|
7,500 gal (above ground / small IG) |
$280 to $450 |
$80 to $140 |
$140 to $310/yr |
ComforTemp 32K: 2 to 4 seasons |
|
10,000 gal (standard IG) |
$400 to $650 |
$120 to $190 |
$210 to $460/yr |
ComforTemp 53K: 1 to 2 seasons |
|
10,000 gal (B+D 53K, COP 6.4) |
$400 to $650 |
$100 to $175 |
$225 to $475/yr |
B+D 53K: 1.5 to 2.5 seasons |
|
15,000 gal (mid-size IG) |
$550 to $900 |
$160 to $260 |
$290 to $640/yr |
B+D 80K: 2 to 4 seasons |
|
20,000+ gal (large IG) |
$750 to $1,200 |
$220 to $360 |
$390 to $840/yr |
B+D 137K: 2 to 5 seasons |
|
The Number That Makes This Comparison Lopsided A gas heater at 80 percent efficiency converts $1.00 of fuel into $0.80 of heat. A heat pump at COP 5.5 converts $1.00 of electricity into $5.50 of heat. This is not a marginal efficiency difference. It is a different order of magnitude. The gas heater is delivering heat at $0.019 per BTU. The heat pump delivers the same BTU for $0.009 to $0.011. The question is not which heater is cheaper to operate. The question is how long the heat pump takes to pay back the higher purchase price through those operating savings, and then how much it saves over the rest of its 15 to 20-year service life. |
Rate-by-Rate Head-to-Head for a 10,000-Gallon Pool
The operating cost comparison looks different depending on where you live. High-electricity states and propane users see different numbers than the national average. Here is the full rate-by-rate breakdown for a 10,000-gallon pool across six energy scenarios:
|
Energy Rate Scenario |
Gas Cost (Season) |
HP Cost (Season) |
HP Saves |
Heat Pump Wins? |
|
National avg: gas $1.30/therm, elec $0.17/kWh |
~$525 |
~$155 |
~$370/yr |
Yes, decisively |
|
NY/NJ: gas $1.80/therm, elec $0.22/kWh |
~$725 |
~$200 |
~$525/yr |
Yes, strongly |
|
CA: gas $1.60/therm, elec $0.28/kWh |
~$645 |
~$255 |
~$390/yr |
Yes, clearly |
|
Low-gas state: gas $0.80/therm, elec $0.12/kWh |
~$320 |
~$110 |
~$210/yr |
Yes, but payback longer (3 to 5 yrs) |
|
Propane: $2.50/gal, elec $0.17/kWh |
~$1,350 |
~$155 |
~$1,195/yr |
Yes, heat pump wins immediately |
|
Gas $1.50/therm, B+D 53K (COP 6.4), $0.20/kWh |
~$605 |
~$155 |
~$450/yr |
Yes, B+D's COP advantage is meaningful |
|
The One Scenario Where Gas Gets Closer: Very Low Gas Rates In states where natural gas is exceptionally cheap (below $0.80 per therm) and electricity is average, the heat pump's annual savings narrow to $150 to $210 per year for a 10,000-gallon pool. The payback period extends to 3 to 5 years from the more typical 1 to 2 years. Even in this scenario, the heat pump is still cheaper to operate. The question is just how much cheaper, and whether the payback timeline is acceptable. For pool owners planning to own their home for 5 or more years, the heat pump still wins the long-term financial argument even at the most favorable gas rates. |
|
Propane Users: The Comparison Is Not Close Pool owners heating with propane (common in rural areas without natural gas service) face gas costs 2x to 3x higher per BTU than natural gas users. At current propane prices around $2.50 per gallon, heating a 10,000-gallon pool for a 90-day season costs approximately $1,200 to $1,500 in propane. The same heat at a comparable heat pump is $155 per season. The annual savings are $1,000 to $1,350, which means the heat pump pays back in its first season of operation at every propane rate currently available in the market. |
The Self-Calculation Worksheet
The tables above use typical rate inputs. Your actual number depends on your specific gas rate, pool size, and season length. Here is the worksheet to calculate your own comparison:
|
Input |
How to Find It |
Your Number |
|
Pool volume (gallons) |
Pool length x width x avg depth x 7.48. Or check your pool builder spec sheet. |
_____________ gallons |
|
Gas heater BTU rating |
On the nameplate of the heater, or in the manual. Residential gas heaters: 100K to 400K BTU. |
_____________ BTU/hr |
|
Gas rate ($/therm or $/MCF) |
On your monthly gas bill, usually under 'rate per therm.' $1.00 to $2.00 is typical in NY. |
$ ____________/therm |
|
Season length (hours run/season) |
Estimate hours per day the heater runs (typically 6 to 10) x days of season (60 to 150). |
_____________ hrs/season |
|
Gas heater annual cost (formula) |
BTU/hr / 100,000 x hours/season x gas $/therm / 0.80 efficiency = annual gas cost |
$ ____________/season |
|
Heat pump annual cost (formula) |
For COP 5.5: annual gas cost / 5.5 x electricity_rate / gas_rate (adjust for your rates) |
$ ____________/season |
|
Annual savings |
Gas cost minus heat pump cost = annual savings. Divide heat pump purchase price by savings = payback in years. |
$ ____________/yr savings |
|
Worked Example: A 12,000-Gallon Pool in Suburban NY Pool: 12,000 gallons. Current gas heater: 200,000 BTU, running 7 hrs/day for 110 days (770 hours). Gas rate: $1.60/therm. Gas heater annual cost: 200,000 BTU/hr / 100,000 x 770 hrs x $1.60/therm / 0.80 efficiency = $3,080 per season. Wait: that seems high. The reason: 200,000 BTU gas heaters do not run continuously for 7 hours a day at full capacity once the pool is at temperature. They cycle on and off. A more realistic effective runtime is 30 to 50 percent of the clock hours. At 40 percent duty cycle: $3,080 x 0.40 = approximately $1,230 per season. This is typical for a well-used pool in the NY area. Heat pump equivalent (B+D 80K, COP 6.4, elec $0.20/kWh): approximately $190 to $250 per season. Annual savings: $980 to $1,040. The B+D 80K at $3,299.99 pays back in approximately 3 to 3.5 seasons. |
The Noise Difference Nobody Talks About
The cost comparison gets all the attention. The noise comparison gets almost none, despite being one of the most consistent quality-of-life differences pool owners notice after switching from gas to a heat pump.
|
Heater Type |
Operating Noise (dB) |
Noise Character |
Quality of Life Impact |
|
Gas heater (standard residential) |
65 to 75 dB at 10 ft |
Intermittent bursts: ignition bang, combustion roar, blower hum. Cycles on and off unpredictably. |
Similar to a running dishwasher or moderate traffic. Disruptive near bedrooms, patios, or neighbor property lines. Cannot be scheduled to avoid quiet hours. |
|
Heat pump (all PPTG models) |
45 to 60 dB at 10 ft |
Steady, continuous hum from fan and compressor. No combustion, no ignition sound. Predictable profile. |
Comparable to a refrigerator running in an adjacent room. Can run through evening hours without disrupting outdoor activities or indoor sleep. |
|
Reference: quiet library |
~40 dB |
Ambient background noise |
Baseline for 'almost silent' context. Heat pump at low ambient temp approaches this range. |
|
Reference: normal conversation |
~60 dB |
Two people talking at normal volume |
Upper range of heat pump noise. Gas heater is 5 to 15 dB louder than this. |
|
What This Means in Practice for Pool Use Evening operation: A gas heater cycling on and off at 70 decibels at 9 PM near a patio or bedroom window is consistently disruptive. A heat pump at 50 to 55 decibels in the same location runs at background level. Heat pump owners routinely note that they can run their heater through the evening without it being noticeable from inside the house or on the deck. Neighbor proximity: If your equipment pad is within 30 to 50 feet of a neighbor's property or windows, the difference between 65 and 75 decibels (gas) versus 45 and 60 decibels (heat pump) is the difference between a neighborly complaint and a non-issue. Scheduling flexibility: The heat pump's quieter operation makes it practical to run from early morning through late evening, maximizing the hours of efficient operation without disturbing anyone. A gas heater that can only politely run during mid-day hours loses operating efficiency by concentrating runtime in a narrower window. |
Which Heat Pump for Which Pool at PoolPartsToGo
PoolPartsToGo carries five heat pump models from 32,000 BTU through 137,000 BTU, covering every residential pool size from small above-ground setups through large inground pools and spas. Here is the operating cost context for each:
|
Model |
Price |
Pool Size |
Seasonal HP Cost |
Best For |
|
ComforTemp 32,000 BTU |
$1,499.99 |
7,500 gal |
$80 to $140/season |
Budget entry into heat pump efficiency. Replaces $280 to $450/yr gas cost with $80 to $140/yr electricity. |
|
ComforTemp 53,000 BTU |
$1,599.99 |
10,000 gal |
$120 to $190/season |
Best value at the 10K gal tier. Saves $210 to $460/yr over gas. Pays back in 1 to 2 seasons vs comparable gas replacement. |
|
B+D 53,000 BTU (COP 6.4) |
$2,199.99 |
10,000 gal |
$100 to $175/season |
Confirmed COP 6.4. Delivers lowest seasonal cost at 10K gal tier. Best choice for shoulder-season users (May, Oct). |
|
B+D 80,000 BTU (COP 6.4) |
$3,299.99 |
15,000 gal |
$160 to $260/season |
Mid-size inground pools. Replaces $550 to $900/yr gas with $160 to $260/yr. Saves up to $640/yr. |
|
B+D 137,000 BTU (COP 6.4) |
$3,699 |
Up to 45K gal |
$240 to $400/season |
Largest residential and near-commercial pools. Gas savings of $400 to $1,000+/yr. Fastest absolute savings total. |
|
Sizing Matters: Do Not Undersize for Operating Cost Reasons An undersized heat pump runs longer hours to reach target temperature, which increases the total electricity consumed and can eliminate part of the COP advantage. Sizing to the pool volume is always the right approach. The table above shows the correct match between pool size and BTU tier. A 53K BTU heat pump on a 15,000-gallon pool will work, but it will run significantly more hours than a correctly sized 80K BTU model, narrowing the operating cost advantage and placing more stress on the compressor over the equipment's service life. |
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Before Ordering: Non-Returnable Policy and Electrical Requirements All heat pumps at PoolPartsToGo are non-returnable once shipped. All require 208 to 230V dedicated electrical service installed by a licensed electrician. Freight delivery on all models. Confirm your pool volume and electrical service capacity before ordering. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a heat pump always cheaper to run than a gas heater?
At every energy rate scenario currently available in the U.S., yes. The one variable that narrows the gap significantly is very low natural gas rates combined with average electricity rates. In states where gas is below $0.80 per therm and electricity is at the national average of $0.17 per kWh, the annual savings drop to $150 to $210 for a 10,000-gallon pool, extending payback to 3 to 5 years. In every other rate scenario, the heat pump saves $300 to $1,000+ per year on the same pool.
Does a heat pump use a lot of electricity?
More than a pool with no heater, but significantly less than the gas equivalent in total energy cost. A heat pump at COP 5.5 uses approximately 2 to 3 kilowatt-hours of electricity per hour of operation, compared to 3 to 5 kilowatt-hours of electricity equivalent per hour for a gas heater at comparable heat output. Because electricity can be measured in cost equivalents, the heat pump's COP makes the actual energy bill 50 to 75 percent lower than the gas equivalent even though it is running on electricity.
How do I find my gas rate per therm to do my own calculation?
Your gas rate is on your monthly gas bill under the line items showing charges per therm or per MCF (million cubic feet). If it shows per MCF, divide by 10.24 to get per therm. NY residential gas typically runs $1.30 to $1.80 per therm. Propane is measured per gallon: multiply by 0.91 to convert to therm equivalents (approximately 91,500 BTU per gallon vs 100,000 BTU per therm).
What is the quietest pool heater available?
Any heat pump is significantly quieter than any gas heater. Among the PPTG lineup, all three ComforTemp and B+D models are designed for quiet operation. The B+D models specifically use low-noise fan assembly designs. Operating noise for all PPTG heat pump models is in the 45 to 60 dB range at standard operating distance, compared to 65 to 75 dB for a gas heater. For noise-sensitive installations (near bedrooms, close to neighbors), any heat pump in the PPTG lineup is the correct choice over a gas heater.
Can I install a pool heat pump myself or does it require a contractor?
The plumbing connection (inline with your existing pump and filter loop, using standard union fittings) is within reach for an experienced DIYer. The electrical connection is not: all models require a 208 to 230V dedicated circuit, and most states require a licensed electrician for pool electrical work. Budget for a licensed electrician for the circuit installation. The plumbing typically takes 2 to 4 hours. If you are also removing a gas heater, gas line disconnection and capping requires a licensed gas contractor.
How long will a pool heat pump last vs a gas heater?
Pool heat pumps have an expected service life of 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. Gas pool heaters have an expected service life of 8 to 12 years. The lifespan difference compounds the operating cost advantage: over a 20-year period, a heat pump may require only one replacement versus two gas heater replacements at $1,200 to $2,500 each. The combination of lower operating costs and longer lifespan is why the 20-year total cost of ownership favors heat pumps by a wide margin at nearly any energy rate scenario.
The Math Is Clear. The Heat Pump Wins.
At national average rates, a heat pump costs less than half as much per season as a gas heater on the same pool. In high-rate states, the savings are larger. For propane users, the heat pump pays back in under one season and saves $1,000+ per year every year thereafter. The PPTG lineup covers every pool size from 7,500 gallons through 45,000 gallons. All models ship free. All include titanium heat exchangers for salt and fresh water, self-diagnostics, and confirmed long-term efficiency data.
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Shop Pool Heat Pumps at PoolPartsToGo: Browse the Full Pool Heat Pump Collection ComforTemp 32K ($1,499.99) through B+D 137K ($3,699) | All pool sizes | Ships free Find utility rebates: energystar.gov/rebate-finder |
