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Free pool heating cost calculator. Model seasonal fuel or electricity cost from water surface heat loss, pool and outdoor temperatures, heating season length, and gas, electric resistance, or heat pump equipment. Explore more in our energy and sustainability calculator category.
Last updated: April 18, 2026
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Higher with wind / no cover; lower with blankets or indoor pools.
Approximate effect of solar cover, wind breaks, or shorter pump schedules.
Annual fuel / electricity
$4,182
Surface area estimated from volume ÷ average depth.
Surface 445.6 ft² · ΔT 17 °F · 2,880 hr/season
Peak heat loss (modeled)
106,053 BTU/hr
Season heat demand
305,433,333 BTU/yr
≈ 3,636.1 therms / year
Model limits
Dial
Loss coefficient ↑
Open water and wind increase evaporation and convection; modeled cost rises with the coefficient.
Field
Load reduction %
Increase load reduction to approximate blankets or reduced overnight heat loss.
Season
Days / year
Northern climates with a narrow heated window spend less than year-round heating.
Fuel
COP
Compare to gas using your $/kWh; COP changes with air temperature.
Climate
Air vs pool
When average air approaches pool setpoint, modeled heating need drops toward zero.
Input
ft² surface
Enter measured water surface for rectangular or free-form pools instead of estimating from volume.
Default gas scenario: modeled seasonal heating cost about $4,182 (15k gal pool, derived surface, 120 heated days, 82°F pool vs 65°F air).
Heat loss from the pool water surface to the air is approximated as proportional to surface area, the difference between pool temperature and average outdoor temperature, and a combined loss coefficient. That gives a peak loss rate in BTU per hour, which is multiplied by the number of hours in your heating season. The result is annual heat demand at the water. Gas and resistance heaters divide that by efficiency to get fuel input; heat pumps convert demand to electricity using COP and standard BTU-per-kWh. Costs use your gas or electric rates.
Peak loss (BTU/hr) ≈ A × U × (T_pool − T_air) × (1 − load reduction)Season demand ≈ peak loss × (season days × 24)Gas cost ≈ (demand ÷ efficiency) → therms × $/thermCompare heat pump vs gas by switching fuel type and entering your electricity rate and COP.
Share it with pool owners budgeting heating season costs
Suggested hashtags: #Pool #Heating #Energy #Calculator #Sustainability