Gas vs Propane Pool Heaters: Which Is Right for Your Pool?

Heating your pool can change the way you enjoy your investment, enabling year-round use instead of just through the summer. Natural gas and propane are two of the most popular options for heating a pool — but which is a better option for you?

Several factors are involved when choosing natural gas vs propane pool heaters, including installation variables, fuel costs, and convenience considerations. In this guide, we’ll compare gas vs propane pool heaters, running through variables like cost, availability, and expected maintenance.

Cost Comparison: Propane vs Natural Gas

When you’re considering how much a propane or natural gas heater costs to run, you should think of it in three separate categories: initial expense, monthly charges, and maintenance costs.

The initial cost for your pool heater will largely depend on the amount of British Thermal Units (BTUs) it will take to accommodate your pool’s size and volume. BTUs measure how much energy is needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by 1°F. Whether you opt for a propane or natural gas-powered heater, the BTU rating will directly correlate to the amount of fuel it will process — and the more fuel that’s used, the more it will cost to heat your pool. You’ll also need to factor professional installation into your budget to ensure your heater is safely connected.

Monthly charges include the ongoing costs of running your heater. While the amount of energy required to heat your pool to the standard 78° varies, natural gas is cheaper to burn than propane. However, propane is more energy-dense, which means that you can use less propane than natural gas to heat the same-sized pool.

It’s worth noting that natural gas will be priced by your utility vendor, whose rates are influenced by state-wide agencies that work to prevent price gouging, such as the public utility commission (PUC) or public service commission (PSC). Propane is priced according to its market value, and its cost will fluctuate depending on the retailer you choose to purchase from, as well as supply-and-demand in your area.

Regular maintenance for both heater types is generally the same. Each will require an annual inspection and tune-up, performed by a professional, to ensure that their pressure switchers and igniters are working correctly.

Here’s a condensed look at how each fuel’s features compare:

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Gas or Propane Pool Heater?

If you’re weighing your options between a gas or propane pool heater, cost is often a deciding factor. However, it’s not always a one-size-fits-all answer. If you’re curious about how much it costs to heat a pool with a gas heater, factors like your local climate and heater efficiency can affect your total ongoing costs. For example, if you live in an area like the Southwest, which has low humidity and cooler temperatures at night, you can experience higher-than-average levels of evaporation. This can significantly affect your heating efficiency, and your pool heater will likely need to work harder to keep your pool water at your desired temperature. 

Prices can fluctuate, making it important to take a look at recent national average costs for propane vs. natural gas to examine cost trends over time. This can help you pinpoint any seasonal spikes in pricing or observe steady costs over a period of years to help make a more informed choice.  Although natural gas is less expensive than propane per unit, remember that propane is a very efficient fuel, and you’ll usually need more natural gas to heat the same size pool. 

Assuming you have a 20,000-gallon pool and a 400K BTU heater, it will generally take about 4 therms of natural gas, or roughly 3 gallons of propane, each hour to raise your pool’s temperature by 1.82 degrees. Depending on your heater’s efficiency, this means it can take about 8-14 hours to raise a pool’s temperature by 10°F. At first glance, this might seem like a slow process, but it can take solar power several days, and electric heat pumps 30+ hours, to make up the same temperature difference. 

Here’s a look at how much it might cost to raise your pool’s temperature using the national average prices for natural gas and propane listed above: 

* Based on the December 2025 national average cost of propane, at $2.52 per gallon
** Based on the November 2025 national average cost of natural gas, at $1.64 per gallon

How Much Fuel Does It Take to Heat a Pool? (Propane vs. Natural Gas)

Fuel consumption for your pool heater will vary based on how large your pool is, your desired temperature increase, and the efficiency of your pool heater. Most modern pool heaters are typically 80-95% efficient, although some models can now reach up to 97-98%. A heater’s efficiency is determined by how much energy is lost via exhaust. If your natural gas or propane pool heater is 90% efficient, it means that 90% of the actual fuel is converted into energy, only losing 10% in exhaust. In terms of cost, for every $1 spent on fuel, you get $0.90 worth of heat.

The size and volume of your pool play important roles in determining its heating efficiency. The larger your pool is, the more energy will be needed to heat the water.

Natural gas is sold in units called therms, as well as cubic feet. One therm equals 100,000 BTUs. Propane is sold by the gallon, which equals about 91,500 BTUs. Because of external factors like wind, sun exposure, altitude, climate, and decreased efficiency as a heater ages, most homeowners opt for a heater with higher BTUs than the recommended minimum.

Let’s look at this example for calculating how much fuel you’d need to heat an average pool by 10°F:

1. Calculate your pool’s total water weight: One gallon of water weighs 8.33lbs. To find your total water weight, multiply the number of gallons of water by 8.33.
   20,000 gallons x 8.33 lbs = 166,000 lbs of water
2. Calculate BTUs needed to raise the temperature by 10°F: Multiply the total weight of the water by 10 degrees.
   166,000 lbs of water x 10 degrees = 1,660,000 BTUs
3. Account for your heater’s efficiency: Let’s say your heater is 80% efficient. Divide the BTUs by 80% efficiency to get the total number of BTUs needed.
   1,660,000 BTUs / 0.80 = 2,075,000 total BTUs needed
4. Convert to Unit of Measurement: Because natural gas and propane are sold in two different units, you’ll need to convert the total number of BTUs to therms or gallons to know how much fuel you need to reach your desired temperature.
   • For Natural Gas: Total number BTUs / 100,000 BTUs (per therm) = total therms of natural gas needed to heat 10°F
     2,075,000 BTUs / 100,000 BTUs = 20.75 therms of natural gas needed
   • For Propane: Total number BTUs / 91,500 BTUs (per gallon) = total gallons of propane needed to heat 10°F:
     2,075,000 BTUs / 91,500 BTUs = 22.67 gallons of propane needed

Which Heating Source Performs Best?

Propane is extremely energy-dense, burning at a rate of nearly two-to-one compared to natural gas. This means it’s an incredibly efficient fuel source, and you can use less of it to heat the same-sized pool. However, natural gas is often a more cost-effective solution. Although it takes more natural gas to heat the pool, its attachment to utility gas lines also means you have a virtually endless supply of fuel at your disposal, and you won’t have to manually refill fuel tanks as you would with propane. This steady, cost-effective performance is particularly useful if you’re consistently heating your pool throughout the year, instead of periodically or in short bursts.

How long it takes to heat a pool with a gas heater is influenced by the volume of your pool, as well as the ambient temperature at the time and your particular heater’s capabilities. For example, cooler ambient temperatures and wind can make your pool water heat more slowly. When there’s a greater gap between the temperature of your water and the temperature of the air, your heater will have to work harder to raise and maintain your desired temperature.

Installation & Availability

Natural gas must be installed via your home gas line, making it an ideal choice if you live in an urban area where gas lines are already available for hook-up. While you can request a new gas line from your utility vendor if one isn’t already available, this process can take time and result in some cost to you. Alternatively, propane is a more flexible option because it’s stored in independent tanks. This makes propane better suited for rural homes or those without existing gas access, although they will have to be periodically refilled.

Regardless of which gas you choose to power your heater, a professional should complete the initial installation process to ensure your heater is safe and ready to use.

Efficiency & Environmental Impact

Natural gas produces less carbon dioxide (CO2) than propane during combustion, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a holistically more sustainable fuel option. Natural gas is made up largely of methane, a strong greenhouse gas that is created as a result of anaerobic decomposition of organic matter. While it’s cleaner-burning than fuels like petroleum or coal, natural gas can come with risks of methane leaks, which contribute to the climate crisis and can potentially start a fire if left unchecked. 

For California residents, Title 24 regulations for energy efficiency standards have begun to phase out gas-only heaters as an available heat source. This includes all heaters being installed in new pools, as well as units that have reached the end of their lifespan and need replacement. However, hybrid options that combine energy-efficient sources like solar panels with propane or gas are emerging as compliant options with lower operating costs and reduced emissions. When used with other eco-friendly products, such as an automatic pool cover, these hybrid energy sources can lower your environmental footprint and fuel costs even further.

New energy solutions are on the horizon for homeowners across the nation, such as renewable propane, which is chemically identical to traditional propane and made from non-petroleum feedstocks, such as natural fats, vegetable oils, and various types of grease. 

Working with a professional to assess your pool plan can help ensure that your energy needs are considered while creating a setup that is compliant with changing regulations.

Lifespan

With professional installation and proper pool maintenance, natural gas and propane heaters can last from 7 to 12 years. Regular maintenance and yearly inspections are necessary for both types of heat sources to ensure they reach their full potential lifespan. Here’s a look at some of the requirements for keeping each heater type functioning at its best:

• Propane Heaters: Regularly check your propane tanks for any signs of rust, corrosion, or leaks. Routinely clean your tanks, especially in the winter, to help prevent debris from clogging the burners. Have your propane heater inspected by a professional at least once per year. 

• Natural Gas Heaters: Burner trays need to be cleaned to remove any debris or soot buildup. You’ll also need to perform vent checks to ensure there is enough air flow around the heat exchanger.

In addition to maintaining the heater itself, you can also install features that aid it in regulating water temperature, such as an automatic pool cover. This helps keep your heater from working overtime in the cooler months, which can help extend its lifespan while lowering your fuel costs. 

If you’re curious to learn more, reach out to Latham Pool’s team of experts today. We have decades of experience helping people realize their vision for their backyard, and we’re happy to help you create the most efficient pool possible.

Choosing the Right Heater for Your Pool

Budget, your home’s infrastructure, and your environmental priorities will all play a role when the time comes to choose which heater is right for you. Here’s a look at some of the reasons you might choose natural gas vs propane for your lifestyle: 

Choose natural gas if you already have access to an established gas line, value lower overall operating costs, or want to consistently heat your pool throughout the year. 

For example, if you live in a home in an urban area and have access to natural gas lines through your utility vendor, you can immediately begin heating your pool once your heater is installed, using the near-endless supply of natural gas already available to you. If you want to enjoy heated water year-round, such as soaking in the hot water of your attached spa on cold winter nights or swimming in warm water on chilly Spring mornings, natural gas can support your pool lifestyle at a lower cost than propane. 

Choose propane if you need a more efficient heater, want the flexibility to heat your pool on demand, or live off the gas grid.

For example, if your home is in a rural area that isn’t currently serviced by gas lines, propane is a convenient way to still enjoy all the benefits of a heated pool without going through the cost or upheaval of laying new lines. If you’re more likely to only heat your pool periodically, such as for a party or a relaxing long weekend, propane can quickly heat your pool without an intense cost spike, although it is a more expensive fuel than natural gas. 

FAQs About Gas and Propane Pool Heaters

Below you’ll find answers to some of our most commonly asked questions about heating pools with natural gas vs propane.

How does pool size affect the overall efficiency and fuel usage of a gas or propane heater?

The larger your pool is, the more fuel it will take to heat it to your desired temperature. Whether you choose natural gas or propane as your fuel of choice, it’s important to install a heater that is proportional to your pool’s size and volume for cost accuracy and efficient heating.

What maintenance tasks should be performed before and after each swimming season to keep a gas or propane heater running efficiently?

In the Spring, before swim season begins, clean your pool heater of any dirt and debris, remove winter covers, and inspect all connections and gas lines for corrosion or damage.

In the Fall, after swim season is over, give your propane tank or gas heater a thorough cleaning and prepare for winter weather by insulating any exposed pipes.

Consider hiring a professional at least once per year to inspect your unit for damage that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

What are the safety considerations when installing and operating propane versus natural gas pool heaters?

Always hire a professional when it’s time to put in a propane or natural gas heater, as the unit can become a fire hazard if installed incorrectly. Because natural gas heaters produce CO2, they need to be well-ventilated to stay safe for operation. It’s important that both propane and natural gas heaters are intentionally placed in an area away from any combustible materials, such as certain landscaping and pool chemicals, and structures like decks or gazebos.

Can gas or propane pool heaters be integrated with smart home or automated pool systems for better energy management?

Yes, many natural gas and propane heaters can be seamlessly integrated with smart home devices, allowing you to set heating schedules, set temperature limits, and manage your heating all from a mobile device. Talk to one of our pool experts to learn more about which automated pool management system is the best fit for you.

What financing or rebate options are available for homeowners installing high-efficiency gas or propane pool heaters?

Yes, there are several financing options available when installing a gas or propane pool heater, both for the unit itself and installation. Specialized pool lenders, such as our financing partners, are a great place to start when determining your financing options. While most energy-efficient pool heaters and pumps generally do not meet criteria for federal tax credits or discounts, your choice might be eligible for local rebates. Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) to see what credits may be available to you, based on your area.