Above Ground Pool Heaters | Royal Swimming Pools

Above ground pool heaters extend the swim season at both ends, warming water that a smaller volume loses quickly once the nights cool off. Gas heaters raise temperature fastest, solar panels add no fuel cost once installed, and a heat pump sits between the two on both speed and running cost. Fuel is the other half of the choice, since gas models run on either natural gas or propane depending on what is already at the house. Heating systems are commonly coordinated with pumps and filters to ensure consistent circulation. Many installations also pair heaters with solar covers to help reduce heat loss. For system control, heaters are often planned alongside above ground pool equipment to support reliable operation.

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About Above Ground Pool Heaters

Heating an Above Ground Pool

An above ground pool holds less water than an inground pool of similar footprint, so it warms faster and cools faster. That cuts both ways: a correctly sized heater brings the water up in hours rather than days, but an uncovered pool gives most of that heat back overnight. Plumbing is simpler too, since the heater sits at ground level between the pump and the return rather than in a buried equipment pad.

Gas, Solar, and Heat Pump Heaters

Gas heaters are the fastest option and work in any weather, which makes them the choice if you want the pool usable on demand. Solar panels cost nothing to run once installed, but they heat only while the sun is on them, so they extend a season rather than hold a temperature. A heat pump draws warmth from the air, which is efficient and quiet, though it slows down as air temperatures drop.

Matching BTU to Your Pool

BTU is the heat a unit puts out per hour, so more BTU means faster heating for a given volume. The gas heaters here run 105,000 and 150,000 BTU, which covers most above ground pools, and the heat pump is rated at 50,000 BTU. Solar is sized by panel area instead, and panels can be linked together to add capacity. If you are between sizes, the larger unit heats faster and cycles less.

Above Ground Pool Heaters FAQ

What is the best way to heat an above ground pool?

It depends on how quickly you want the water warm. A gas heater gets there fastest and works whatever the weather is doing, which suits a pool used on a schedule. Solar costs nothing to run and suits a pool used through the warm months. A heat pump lands between them, efficient to run but slower to heat and less effective once the air turns cold.

Do you need a solar cover with a pool heater?

A cover does more for the heat bill than most upgrades. Most of the warmth an above ground pool loses goes out of the surface overnight, so a solar cover holds the temperature the heater worked to reach and cuts how often the unit runs. It also adds a few degrees on its own in direct sun. Pairing the two is cheaper than running a heater against an open surface.

Can you add a heater to an existing above ground pool?

Adding one to an existing pool is straightforward in most setups. The heater goes into the return line after the pump and filter, so the water is already moving and clean before it reaches the heat exchanger. Gas models also need a fuel line or a propane tank and an electrical connection, and solar panels need somewhere to mount with sun on it for most of the day.

Does an above-ground pool heater use a lot of electricity?

That depends on which type you are running. Gas heaters use very little electricity, since the heat comes from burning fuel and the power only runs the controls and ignition. Heat pumps run entirely on electricity but use it efficiently, moving heat from the air rather than generating it. Solar panels draw nothing beyond the pump already circulating the water.

How long does it take a pool heater to heat an above ground pool?

Plan on 24 to 72 hours for a first heat-up from cold, depending on the unit, the pool volume, and the air temperature. Gas reaches temperature at the fast end of that range and solar at the slow end. After the first heat, holding a temperature takes far less energy and time, especially with a solar cover on overnight.

Can you run a pool heater on propane instead of natural gas?

Both fuels are available in these models, and the right one is usually whichever is already at the house. Natural gas runs off the home supply with no tank to refill and is the cheaper fuel in most areas. Propane suits properties with no gas line, using a tank next to the heater that gets refilled or swapped.