Determining the BTU’s heater you’ll need for your pool is decided by a variety of different variables, including the pool size, beginning temperature, temperature of the air, how heated you want the water, and how rapidly you want to heat it. By taking these conditions into consideration, you can choose the right size heater for your pool.
The size of the heater should be determined by how warm you want the pool and how fast you want the pool to heat.. If you plan to keep a constant temperature a smaller heater will work. It is more budget friendly to use an oversized heater and quickly heat the pool water before using.
What Size Heater Do I Need For My Pool?
That being said, there are some basic guidelines that we can recommend for you.
Recommended Heater BTU Based on Pool Size – Gas Or Propane
As a general guideline, the following gas heater sizes should be sufficient for the following pool sizes. As mentioned previously, however, when in doubt upgrade to pool heater one size larger than what is recommended.
| Pool Size: | Recommended Heater Sizes: |
| 5000 Gallon (10ft x 18ft) |
100,000 BTU |
| 11000 Gallons (14 x 26ft) | 150,000 BTU |
| 16000 Gallons (18ft x 30ft) | 200,000 BTU |
| 23000 Gallons (21ft x 41ft) | 325,000 BTU |
| 30000 Gallons (21ft x 48ft) | 400,000 BTU |
If your heater is too small for your pool will have a hard time heating your water and keeping the water at the temperature you want.
What Size Heater Do I Need For My Pool?
Expected degree rise by pool heater size
Use the chart below to match the needed rise with the degree per hour rise in temperature for heater size.
Example:
- Desired temperature of 78 degrees
- Average spring and fall outside air temperature of 58 degrees.
- Temperature rise needed = 20 degrees.
Total Degree Rise Expected:
| Size (BTU) | 5000 Gallons (10ft x 18ft) |
11000 Gallons (14ft x 26ft) | 16000 Gallons (18ft x 30ft) | 23000 Gallons (21ft x 41ft) |
30000 Gallons |
| 200,000 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 15 |
| 250,000 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 |
| 325,000 | overpowered | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 |
| 400,000 | overpowered | overpowered | 45 | 40 | 35 |
Degree Rise Expected PER HOUR:
| Size (BTU) | 5000 Gallons (10ft x 18ft) |
11000 Gallons (14ft x 26ft) | 16000 Gallons (18ft x 30ft) | 23000 Gallons (21ft x 41ft) |
30000 Gallons |
| 200,000 | 1.5 | 1.25 | 1 | .75 | underpowered |
| 250,000 | 2 | 1.75 | 1.5 | 1.25 | .75 |
| 325,000 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 | 1 |
| 400,000 | 3.5 | 2.75 | 2.5 | 1.75 | 1.25 |
Keeping your pool covered when not in use will help keep the heat in and lower costs
What Size Heater Do I Need For My Pool?
As usual with all accessories please consult the manufacturers manual for complete information
- Above Ground Pools – Freezing
Above Ground Pools – Freezing
Q. Can I stop my above ground pool from collapsing or at least limit the damage?
I just checked my pool and the pillow has popped and the snow/ice build up was bringing some of the sides in. I released the cover to help with the pressure. The water inside is frozen. One panel wall is bent alittle and the liner is out, another panel has released itself from the top rail, it’s about two panels down from the first one. Is there anything I can do to save it from collapsing before I can get a pool guy out? Thanks.
A. What to do..
For future reference try something more solid than an air pillow in extreme cold conditions. An Inner tube or even a solid tire. We’ve had customers in Canada use a log of all things, reporting it keeps the cover afloat and it will more lightly compress when the water freezes.
Now, for what to do, if the pool is frozen solid, don’t worry, it won’t get any worse. Disassemble the pool piece by piece
Wrap your pool with rope several times to hold everything together until your pool guy comes. Only do this if it is not frozen solid
Dig out your warranty information and contact your dealer for help in contacting your manufacturer for replacement parts
Above Ground Pools – Freezing
Paradise Pools Mart. We offer many sizes , shapes and styles of above ground pools including the next gen Paradise Pools
With the Paradise above ground pools we can made a pool to your specifications. These pools are also much stronger than your typical above ground pool with steel walls and a thin vinyl liner making them suitable for use with dogs and other wild life, as well as for commercial use.
Paradise Pools Mart. We offer many sizes , shapes and styles of above ground pools including the next gen Paradise Pools
With the Paradise above ground pools we can made a pool to your specifications. These pools are also much stronger than your typical above ground pool with steel walls and a thin vinyl liner making them suitable for use with dogs and other wild life, as well as for commercial use. We can provide you with a quote for the pool that you want, if you do not see it here. We do not charge extra for custom made pools.
Paradise Pools Mart
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