Solar swimming pool heaters are priced competitively. They use a renewable source of energy, so you can feel good about your purchase. They are larger than any of the other units and require space for the solar panels. Additionally, they are unable to heat very cold water and they are dependent on the amount of sunlight available on a given day.

There are four main components of a solar pool heater:
* Solar collector - the device through which pool water is circulated to be heated by the sun
* Filter - removes debris before water is pumped through the collector
* Pump - circulates water through the filter and collector and back to the pool
* Flow control valve - device that diverts pool water through the solar collector.

Pool water is pumped through the filter and then to the solar collector(s), usually located on the roof of a home. The water is heated by solar rays and then returned to the pool.

Solar heaters usually last, with proper maintenance, for 10 - 20 years which is longer than gas heaters and heat pumps.

The initial cost of a solar pool heater is $3,000 - $5,000 after installation.

A heat pump uses electricity to extract the heat from the air, upgrade it with a compressor, and then transfer the heat to the water. These units are among the most common of pool heaters.

One of the benefits of the the heat pump is it is more efficient than the other common pool heater run by gas. So, your electricity bill will not go up as dramatically as it would with a gas heater.

However, these units cannot heat water if it's below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. For some people this is not a problem. But, if you want to freedom to sit in the pool at any point during the year - this may not be the best fit for you.

Heat pumps also cost more than gas heaters, which are able to heat even the coldest of water. However, gas heaters use bundles of energy, so you can expect to earn that money back through energy savings.

The average lifespan of a pool heat pump is 10 - 15 years. That's less than geothermal and solar, but longer than gas heaters.

Gas pool heaters are the most popular systems for heating pools. However, gas heaters have the highest operating cost and are the least efficient / cost effective way to heat a pool. Many people use them because, unlike air source heat pumps and solar heat pumps, they have rapid heat up, maintain constant temperature regardless of outside temperature, and can heat a spa or hot tub. Until recently, only gas heaters were able to do this, but geothermal heat pumps are able to as well.

Gas pool heaters use either natural gas or propane. As the pump circulates the pool's water, the water drawn from the pool passes through a filter and then to the heater. The gas burns in the heater's combustion chamber and generates heat which it transfers to the water which is then returned to the pool. Operation requires a storage tank for propane gas, or hookup to natural gas.

These units are the least expensive to buy and install. However, their operating costs can be several thousand dollars a year, depending on the size of the pool. Also, even with professional installation and routine maintenance, gas pool heaters typically only last five or so years. So, the upfront cost may be less, but the long term costs make it the most expensive.

They are also the least environmentally friendly of all the units available.

The geothermal pool heat pumps works by collecting heat from the stable ground. Although the air temperature in the winter is very volatile, underground it remains a constant 70° F. Geothermal heat pumps utilize that warm temperature through a series of underground loops that collect the heat and then a heat pump concentrates that heat and applies it where needed. They are an excellent option as a pool heater because they can be used year round, are good for the environment, are extremely efficient, and are much less expensive to operate. So you can enjoy your mid-winter swim in a nice, warm pool and knowing you won't have an inflated energy bill!

The facts speak for themselves. Unfortunately, solar heaters and traditional heat pump heaters are unable to heat the water to a high temperature if the air temperature is below 45 - 50° F. The only products able to heat the water at those low temperatures would be a geothermal heat pump and the gas heater. However, geothermal heat pumps are 90% more efficient than gas heaters. That means you are paying a tremendous amount of money to heat your pool with the gas heater, but with geothermal you can rest easy because the majority of your energy is fueled by a renewable, natural source of energy. Geothermal pool heat pumps offer the convenience of gas heaters; they can heat water at any temperature, heat the water quickly, and maintain any desired temperature. They can also save hundreds of dollars in energy costs each year, depending on the frequency of use and size of the pool.

Another benefit is their small size and versatility. Gas or propane heaters require a hook-up or installation of a tank. This can be costly to do and offers dangers for small children.Solar panels can also be bulky and they require a lot of space. With a geothermal pool heat pump most of the equipment is located safely underground. This removes eye sores, gives you space for other things, and is much safer.

When researching the initial cost of a pool heater you will find that geothermal pool heat pumps are 30 to 40% more expensive. Solar pool heaters average $2800 to install and heat pump pool heaters are approximately $4200 after installation. However, for heat pumps you also have the additional cost of energy to operate the pump. It can cost a homeowner nearly $1,000 if they run they heat pump throughout the winter. But, that number drops dramatically for geothermal heat pumps. You can expect savings of 50 - 90% in operation costs. So, in time, the initial investment is counterbalanced by the tremendous energy savings. Also, geothermal pool heat pumps last the longest of any other type of systems. Most carry warranties of 25 - 50 years! This offers huge savings in the long run.