Having a pool is a great, but if you’re relying on the sun alone to heat the water, then you’re losing time you could spend swimming. Purchasing a pool heater lets you enjoy your pool during the shoulder seasons when the sun just isn’t enough. However, heating water uses a lot of energy. If you want your pool heater to be affordable, you’ll have to buy an efficient one.

Finding an energy efficient pool heater isn’t always easy, but you can simplify the process with a little research. We’ve put together some information to help you learn what makes a pool heater energy efficient, and provided a few recommendations of our own to help you get started.

Btu Ratings Matter

Choosing an energy efficient pool heater is a bit like choosing an energy efficient furnace or air conditioner. You have to make sure that the unit you purchase is adequately sized for the space you want to heat. That’s what the Btu rating on your pool heater signifies.

A higher Btu rating indicates the ability to heat a larger body of water, but it’s important not to overdo it. While an inadequate Btu rating will prevent your heater from effectively warming the water in your pool, a Btu rating that is too high will cause your heater to keep turning on and off, overworking itself in the process and driving up your energy bill. Choose a heater with an appropriate Btu rating, and you’ll be able to run it without encountering these problems.

Use Modern Technology and Reap the Rewards

The size of your pool heater isn’t the only thing that matters. You should also consider the kind of technology that it uses. Start with the power source. New energy-efficient heaters may use gas, heat pumps, or even solar power in an efficient way. However, it’s worth noting that there are federal tax credits available for modern solar water heaters. Install one before 2019 and you can receive a 30% credit, or receive 22% for installing before 2021.

You’ll also want to look for specific parts in your water heater that can indicate better performance. Pumps like the Hayward H400FDN use a state of the art polymer header to boost their energy efficiency, while the Pentair 460737 comes with a pre-mixed system that allows it to heat water fast instead of consuming power for hours.

An Efficient Heater Demands Efficient Use

Purchasing an energy-efficient heater is an excellent first step, but it isn’t the only thing you’ll need to do if you want to keep your water warm and your utility bills low. You’ll also want to make sure you’re using your new heater responsibly. Try common-sense strategies like using a pool cover or turning the heater off when your pool isn’t being used.

You might also consider using a diagnostic tool to track and optimize your energy consumption. Apps like Benefyd ask you questions about the way you use energy in various parts of your home, then provide you with strategies for making each area more efficient.

Having an efficient pool heater requires two steps: careful selection and careful usage. Choose a heater with the right capacity and technology, then make sure you support it with responsible habits and use an accurate tool to track your savings. If you do, you’ll find that you can have a comfortably heated pool without breaking the bank.