How To Keep A Pool Warm In The Winter

When it comes to keeping your pool warm and comfortable, two main options dominate the market: gas pool heaters and electric heat pumps. Both can extend your swimming season and enhance your backyard experience—but they work very differently. Understanding those differences can help you make the best investment for your climate, budget, and swimming habits.

Featured: Heat Pumps from AquaCal and the MasterTemp Heater from Pentair.

Gas heaters use combustion to create heat. The water passes through a copper heat exchanger where it’s rapidly warmed before returning to your pool. Because they rely on burning fuel, gas heaters can raise water temperature quickly, even when the air outside is cool.

Best for:

• Homeowners who swim occasionally or on-demand

• Cooler climates or short swim seasons

• Spas or smaller bodies of water that need fast heating

Electric heat pumps use a different approach. Instead of generating heat, they pull warmth from the surrounding air and transfer it into the pool water. Think of it like an air conditioner in reverse. Because they rely on ambient air temperature, they perform best in mild to warm climates.

Best for:

• Homeowners who swim frequently

• Warm or moderate climates

• Those looking for long-term energy savings

One advantage of Heat Pumps is that they double as a chiller during the hot months! Here in Texas, we experience the extremes of all seasons and the versatility of a heat pump is a huge benefit to homeowners.

Need help deciding which system fits your pool?

Our team can assess your setup and recommend the best heater or heat pump model for your needs and budget. For the rest of 2025, we're offering huge savings on Heaters & Heat Pumps with new pools, as well as discounts on above-ground hot tubs! Reach out today!