Heat Pumps vs. Gas Heaters: The Smart Way to Heat and Cool Your Pool

One of the most common questions we get from homeowners is: “How do I keep my pool comfortable all year long?” The answer depends on your climate, your budget, and whether you’re heating a pool, a spa, or both.

At Staycation Creation, we recommend heat pumps for most pools, and gas heaters for spas—or when you need heat on demand. Here’s why.

How Heat Pumps Work

A heat pump doesn’t generate heat like a gas heater—it captures warmth from the outside air and transfers it into your pool water. In summer, it can also reverse the process, pulling heat out of the water to chill your pool, which is a lifesaver in the peak of Alabama’s hot season.

Because heat pumps move heat instead of creating it, they’re incredibly energy-efficient and cost a fraction of what gas heaters do to operate.

The Limitation: Air Temperature

Here’s the catch: heat pumps rely on the warmth in the air to work. When outdoor temperatures drop below about 55°F, there’s not enough heat in the air to transfer into the pool water. That means while a heat pump is perfect for most of the year, it won’t give you true winter swimming.

That’s why we say: a heat pump will get you about ten months of swimming every year.

When Gas Heaters Make Sense

If you have a spa, we recommend a 400,000 BTU gas heater. Why? Because spas require rapid heating—you don’t want to wait hours for the water to warm up. A gas heater gets you to spa temperature quickly, even in cold weather.

Gas heaters can also be used to heat a pool in the winter, but be prepared: the cost adds up fast. Running a gas heater continuously for a large pool is expensive, which is why we usually recommend them for spas or occasional pool use in colder months.

The Best of Both Worlds

For most families, the ideal setup is:

• Heat pump for your pool → energy-efficient heating and cooling for about 10 months of comfort.

• Gas heater for your spa (or backup for the pool) → fast, reliable heat when you need it most.

Pro Tip from Staycation Creation

Think of your pool’s heating system as part of the long-term ownership cost. An efficient heat pump paired with a gas heater for your spa ensures year-round enjoyment without breaking the bank.