Should I Turn Off My Pool Heater Overnight?

Pool heaters are essential if you want to comfortably take a dip in your pool any day of the year, especially heading into the colder months. According to Pool and Spa, using a pool heater can double your pool time throughout the year and even triple it in warmer climates like Southern California. Although summertime is the ideal season for most of us to go for a swim, breezy summer nights can significantly chill your pool water. Plus, if you have elderly or young family members, keeping the pool's temperature above 84 degrees Fahrenheit is essential, according to The United States Water Fitness Association (via Secard Pools).

When planning to use your pool, you may want to leave your pool heater on once nightfall hits to ensure a comfortable temperature for your swim the next morning. While there are no definite right or wrong ways to use your pool heater, there are a few recommendations that will ultimately save you money in the long run. In regard to the question of whether you should turn off your pool heater overnight, let's dive a little deeper to uncover the answer.

The only reason to leave your pool heater on overnight is if you have a pool cover (or lots of money to shell out on a power bill). According to Regal Pools, pool covers act like a giant thermos, trapping in heat and insulating the pool water. When you don't have a cover, and the temperature outside decreases at nightfall, your pool heater will need to put in extra work to maintain the pool's recommended temperature of 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, explains Pool and Spa. This is costly for you and difficult for the mechanism, especially when the temperature outside is dramatically colder at night where you live. Think of it this way: Would you turn the heater on in your house while leaving the front door and windows open?

In this instance, covering your pool is worth the hassle. Provided you have a cover, whether automatic or solar, leaving your pool heater on overnight is okay, as the cover will help trap in heat and prevent evaporation. This will mean you're not trying to heat a pool overnight that's simultaneously competing with cold temperatures. However, if you live in an area where the weather is not dramatically different at night, then go ahead and leave the pool heater on regardless of whether you have a cover. Remember, though, the longer you leave the pool heater on, the more money it will cost, and your electric bill may go through the roof.

Why heat a pool that nobody plans to swim in? If you know you'll be gone for a week or otherwise won't be using your pool for a substantial amount of time, turning off the pool heater is advised to conserve energy and money. We know what you're thinking: Won't you save more money and energy leaving the heater on than allowing the water to cool and having to reheat the entire pool? Nope! According to the U.S. Department of Energy, that's a myth.

For each degree your pool increases in temperature, you can expect to pay about 10 to 30% more, depending on the type of heater and the climate of your location. One thing that's for sure is leaving that pool heater on all the time is a surefire way to raise your energy bill, and nobody wants that. Keep in mind that there are creative ways to warm up your pool without a heater, so definitely check those out. The environment (and your wallet) will thank you.