Prior to buying the best pool heaters for inground pools  it would be prudent to consider some salient points which would help you to ensure it would not only serve you well but also last long doing so. There are many brands and models available in the market from which you could choose from but the primary criteria to take into consideration would be your in-ground pool. It is imperative to know the dimensions and volume of water, climatic conditions in the area, frequency of usage, the number of persons using it and invariably your purse.

It would be advisable to plan both your pool and the best pool heater for in–ground pool together, because it should not be a case of “putting the cart before the horse”. It is only if you do so would you be able to “cut your coat according to your cloth”. Your finances and your requirements should marry and based on these two considerations you would be able to construct and buy the pool and the heater respectively to fulfill the perfect objective that you would desire. Getting it wrong would give you eternal issues and ending up with money going down the drain.

To help you out we have selected five of the best pool heaters for in-ground pools with advice that you select the most appropriate that would marry and match your in-ground pool.

Here are the Best Pool Heaters for Inground Pools in 2022

Review Summary Hayward HP21404T HeatPro Titanium 140,000 BTU Heat Pump

The name of Hayward is synonymous with pool equipment as they have been equipping pools around the world for eight decades and that is an achievement many others in the business cannot match. This is one of their best pool heaters for in-ground pools provided its specifications would match your in-ground pool. The Hayward HP21404T HeatPro Titanium 140,000 BTU Heat Pump weighs 250 pounds, with dimensions of 32 x 43 x 40 inches. This best pool heater for in-ground pools would need to be placed in an appropriate place with ample ventilation.

Shipping is provided free by Amazons but before you order you would need to check out the electrical supply to the Hayward HP21404T HeatPro Titanium 140,000 BTU Heat Pump because this is powered by 110~120 Volts. Hayward offers a two year warranty on this best pool heater for in-ground pools for parts and workmanship. The warranty for labor is one year. The Hayward reputation for quality products over these 80 years have been exemplary hence you would be acquiring a top class product ensuring long lasting service. If this best pool heater for in-ground pools marries perfectly with your pool, it would without an iota of doubt provide you exemplary service for years into the future.

Pros and Cons Hayward HP21404T HeatPro Titanium 140,000 BTU Heat Pump

Pros

• Corrosion resistant Ultra-Gold evaporator
• Titanium fins for long term usage
• Delivers 140,000 BTU/Hr
• UV resistant body panels
• Acoustic compressor cover
• Specially profiled ultra-quiet fan blade
• 2 year warranty with one year on labor
• Titanium heat exchanger
• Free shipping

Cons

• Some after sales issues with customers
• Power consumption above average

Review Summary Hayward H400FDN Universal H-Series 400,000 BTU Pool and Spa Heater

Designed and manufactured for large swimming pools which would need a high capacity pool heater the Hayward H400FDN Universal H-Series 400,000 BTU Pool and Spa Heater which packs a tremendous 400,000 BTU/Hr would be just ideal. Backed by 80 years of experience the House of Hayward has been in the forefront churning out the best in pool equipment to wrap every aspect of this very enduring sport and enjoyable recreational pastime. Amazon offers free shipping but operating on 110~120 or 210~220 Voltage it would be prudent to check out your power supply before you install the unit.

Weighing in at 197 pounds it packs a real punch when it comes to heating up your pool and without an iota of doubt it is the best pool heater for in-ground pools providing service par excellence. With dimensions of 37.5 x 31.5 x 24 inches it could be conveniently placed at a location which would enjoy optimum ventilation. The Hayward H400FDN Universal H-Series 400,000 BTU Pool and Spa Heater are comprehensively covered by the Hayward standard warranty.

This best pool heater for in-ground pools is guaranteed for two years for materials used and workmanship. The labor costs are covered for the first year only, which ensures you have a product with a high value of confidence attached to it.  

Pros

• Superior Cupro nickel heat exchanger
• Easy installation
• 2 year warranty on product with one year on labor
• Superlative bypass valve design
• 400,000 BTU/Hr
• Built to last
• Digital control panel

Cons

• Some customer complaints recorded
• Warranty issues between Hayward and customers
• Hayward does not honor warranty if installation is not approved by them

Review Summary Pentair 460732 MasterTemp High Performance Eco-Friendly Pool Heater

A universal product the Pentair 460732 MasterTemp High Performance Eco-Friendly Pool Heater operates on Natural gas. Hence this best pool heater for in-ground pools could be used in most countries around the world. Amazon offers free shipping around the world which is a super offer if you decide to buy this superlative product from Pentair.

Natural Gas is eco-friendly hence this best pool heater for in-ground pools would not only operate with high efficiency but would also ensure it does not harm the environment that we are so conscious about universally. This best pool heater for in-ground pools weighs 133 pounds with dimensions of 30 x 36 x 23 inches which makes it sufficiently compact to be placed in a convenient location where optimum ventilation would be available. The Pentair limited warranty covers the unit with a one year parts only which excludes labor charges. This best pool heater for in-ground pools packs a tremendous clout and delivers 250,000 BTU/Hr.

Pros

• Packs 250,000 BTU/Hr for quicker heating
• Natural Gas operated
• Low energy costs
• Environmentally friendly
• Low NOx emissions, below industry standards
• Digital control panel

Cons

• Many customer complaints recorded

Review Summary Sta-Rite SR400LP Max-E-Therm Pool and Spa Heater

The Sta-Rite SR400LP Max-E-Therm Pool and Spa Heater, without much exaggeration is the smallest in its class and a little dynamite no doubt. This best pool heater for in-ground pools weighs just 138 pounds and with dimensions of 34 x 32 x 27 inches, packs a massive 400,000 BTU/Hr. Pentair offers a limited warranty of two years which covers some parts for that duration and some others which are limited to one year.

It would be prudent to check it out diligently before you would order the unit. Free shipping is made available only to the lower 48 states of the US hence international shipping may need to be by the customer. Check it out before you would order. The unit operates on 110~120 Voltages hence it would be prudent to check it out for other areas of the world where the power supply would be different.

The high class specially designed and manufactured manifold is high grade plastic with the external panels are corrosion resistant Dura-Glas construction materials for long lasting performance. It is designed to withstand the vagaries of Nature and is the best pool heater for in-ground pools wherever you may use it.

Cons

• Operational efficiency at 84%
• Low energy consumption
• Dual thermostat controls
• Small but dynamite in performance
• Dura-Glas tough and sturdy material for corrosion free external panels
• Universal Mod Media filters
• LED six adjustable settings
• 400,000 BTU/Hr
• Easy connections

Cons

• International shipping at a cost

Review Summary Fibropool FH 220 Swimming Pool Heater

The Fibropool FH 220 Swimming Pool Heater operates on 220~240 Volts / 60 Hz and is specially designed for pools with 7,500 gallons capacity. It packs a heating capacity of 20,000 BTU/Hr and would raise the temperature of your pool as quickly as it can and ensure you have a comfortable body of water even when the ambient temperature drops. This is the best pool heater for in-ground pools and delivers on its promise by performing at optimum levels.

Weighing in at 78 pounds with dimensions of 35.2 x 21.2 x 13.3 inches the best pool heater for in-ground pools is compact and lightweight to fit in snugly to any location if the required ventilation is provided. The Fibropool FH 220 Swimming Pool Heater is considered the best pool heater for in-ground pools of small sizes and would do a great job heating up spas. Limited warranty is provided by the manufacturer which would need to be referred to and checked up if you find any anomalies.  

Pros

• Small and compact
• Ideal for small pools and hot tubs
• Optimum capacity 7,500 gallons
• COP of 4.85.
• Plumbing accessories provided
• Connections and power supply conveniently located

Cons

• Only for small pools
• Slow in heating up

 What are the different types of pool heaters?

Swimming pools and hot tubs would need some type of heating unit to ensure that the water in them is brought to a comfortable temperature if you are to enjoy a dip. Ambient temperature drops, could make your pool or hot tub just impossible to use. It is to help you out that pool heaters are manufactured to ensure the water is provided a rise in temperature to ensure it is useable. Pool heaters are not luxuries but necessities which would keep you healthy too.

Warm water around our bodies for long periods of time has a very soothing feeling as well as reciprocating with healthy results too. It has been universally accepted that warm water has many health benefits which has been enjoyed by many since time immemorial. It is in this context that natural hot springs were and are still popular among the populace.

There are different types of heating units which could be used for such applications. These are available in the market which you could choose from according to your specific needs. There is a unit that would fit your requirement and hence finding it would be your prerogative. There are best pool heaters for in-ground pools in different capacities and operated by various methods. Electricity is quite popular as it is universally available and next follows natural gas. Solar energy is also used quite extensively especially where there is ample sunshine to harness.

Whilst electricity and gas would have recurring expenses after installation, solar energy would be free to harness and is also clean and green. The options to get the water in your pool whether it is in-ground, above-ground or even hot tubs is not an issue that you would need to tear your hair out. There is a solution to ensure that the water in your pool or hot tub is brought to a comfortable temperature to enable you to enjoy and have some fun and frolic.  

• Natural and Propane gas heaters

The place where you would be living could determine the cost of natural and propane gas. It could be cheaper than electricity in some of these areas. If that would be case then it would be prudent of you to use natural or propane gas to operate your best pool heaters for in-ground pools. Cost could be the primary criteria for using natural or propane gas to operate heating units. That too would depend on the initial cost of unit and installation plus operating and maintenance.

The free availability of natural and propane gas has also contributed to the use of these for operating pool heaters. The use of any of these two gases is more environmentally friendly than the use of electricity. Though they may have some impact on the environment it is less harmful than the cost to Mother Nature especially in comparison to the cost to producing them.

• Electric Pool Heaters

Electricity is a very popular choice of many pool owners and operators who find it more convenient and practical to use it compared to natural or propane gas. Plugging in and heating up your pool is a quick fix arrangement and would entail less hassles but electricity is an expensive amenity. It would be required to operate the best pool heaters for in-ground pools using electricity continuous on a set cycle if you are to maintain the temperature of the pool at an optimum at all times. It is this that could be the expensive endeavor because your power supply meter would be ticking away when the best pool heater for in-ground pools is being heated up.

• Solar Pool Heaters

Solar energy is the number one choice when it is the environment that we are referring to because it is free and does not leave carbon footprints like gas or electricity. Solar energy is clean and green with ample of it bearing down on us day in and day out. We just need to look up at the Sun because it bestows quadrillion Joules of energy of which we use just a miniscule. A United Nations Development Program report that was compiled recently estimated that the Sun disburses 174 quadrillion Joules of energy for a day on our resplendent planet. Joules incidentally is the measurement to measure energy and it could be quite mind boggling and incomprehensible.

We humans instead of looking up at the Sun we have been looking down deep into the land and the seas to dig up environmentally unfriendly fossil fuels. All the issues we have with the environment are due to our over dependence on fossil fuels. If we could each make our own contribution for the betterment of our future generations then we need to look at solar energy very seriously. Without an iota of doubt solar energy is the answer to all the woes our world is facing by using fossil fuels. We need to move away from the use of fossil fuels and until we do so our world would be at crossroads on the issue of using energy. We have never for a moment thought of what future we would leave for the generations following us.

How do Pool Heaters Work?

Heat pumps within the pool heaters do not generate heat but capture heat from other sources and move it from one place to another. To do so and operate the system they would use energy and that could either be electricity, natural or propane gas, or even solar energy. The energy that the heat pump within the pool heater uses would enable the process to operate.

The pump sucks in the water from the swimming pool and passes it through a filter and then onto the heat pump within the pool heater. The fan in the heat pump of the pool heater would suck in air from the outside, which would be at whatever ambient temperature, that would prevail at the time. This air at the prevailing ambient temperature would be directed by the fan over the evaporator coil.

The liquid refrigerant inside the evaporator coil which would be at a very low temperature would absorb the heat from the air being blown over it and turn into gas. The gas which is now warm would be passed into and through the compressor. The compressor applies tremendous pressure on the gas to turn it into a very hot gas which is then directed over the condenser. The condenser transfers the hot gas which it has acquired onto the water which would be circulating through the pool heater. The water so heated up returns back to the pool. This continuous cycle would gradually increase the temperature of the water in the pool. In the meantime the hot gas which flows through the condenser becomes liquid again and is transferred back to the evaporator to continue the cycle again.

This is a very simple procedure and operating continuously and depending on the efficiency of the pool heater and the marrying of the water capacity in the pool and the quantum of heat generated in the heating process the water in the pool would begin to rise in temperature.

To ensure efficiency in the pool heater the ambient temperature should be around the 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If the ambient temperature drops more energy would be required to sustain the heating process. It is generally accepted that pool heaters are used when the weather is warm and mild hence the issue of any problems arising is minimal.

How to get the right size of Pool Heater?

It is imperative that the size of the pool and the heat generation in the pool heater marry each other well. It is only if they match like a hand in glove would you get the efficiency levels high. The BTU/Hr output of your pool heater should raise the temperature of your pool by at least 1 or 1 ½ degrees in an hour. To do so it would be necessary to ensure that you buy the right pool heater that would ensure the required rises in temperature.

Every BTU that is generated would ensure a rise in temperature of the water in the pool. As an example a 500 square feet surface area of a pool would take in about 200 BTU/Hr to ensure a rise of one degree in the temperature. It is important to get some professional advice on this issue because getting it wrong could be troublesome and an irritant in the future. A smaller pool heater would not be able to cope and pack up frequently and on the contrary a bigger poll heater would bring home a more expensive amenities bill. Hence it is imperative that you do the right calculations taking into consideration even the specific time of day that you would use the pool. The number of persons intending to use the pool should also be taken into consideration before you would commit yourself either on the pool or on the pool heater.