In South Florida, there are plenty of backyard swimming pools without heaters. The sun is bright enough and the air is warm enough most of the year that a heater is unnecessary. Commercial pools like those found in health clubs, hotels, resorts, and public facilities often have heaters but they aren’t used very often.

So the question becomes is a heater even necessary? Should you invest additional money into your pool for a heater that you may not use very often, if ever?

To Heat or Not to Heat

To answer this question you need to look at a couple of different factors. The first is the average ambient air temperature during the coldest time of the year where you live.

South Florida is a big place so the average temperature during the last week in January and the first week in February is going to be a lot different in Orlando than it will be in Key West, for example. Where you live and how cold it gets at its coldest can help you decide whether or not to invest in a pool heater.

Pool Use Frequency

The other question is a two-parter: How often is your pool used and who is using it? If it’s just you and your family, you may be able to forego using your pool if you don’t have to use it daily. If you are okay without using your pool for a month or so when the Florida temperature dips to cool, you may be able to avoid the cost of a heater.

But if you aren’t the only people using your pool, the question becomes more complicated. For example, if you frequently entertain around your pool the last thing you want is to offer your guests a cold water temperature. Similarly, if your children hang out with their friends around the pool even during the winter months, a heater may be a necessity.