You’ve got a pool, and you’re thinking about extending your swimming season or adding a relaxation option for cooler months. The question facing many Warner Robins families: should I add a pool heater or buy a hot tub?
After 30 years of helping Middle Georgia families make this decision, here’s our honest comparison to help you choose what’s right for your family.
The Core Difference
Pool Heater: Extends comfortable swimming in your existing pool by raising water temperature during shoulder seasons (spring and fall) or maintaining temperature year-round.
Hot Tub: Creates a separate, dedicated relaxation space with much warmer water specifically designed for soaking, not swimming.
When a Pool Heater Makes Sense
You Love Swimming If your family actually swims – doing laps, playing pool games, teaching kids to swim – a heater extends the season for activities you already enjoy.
Large Pool Investment Spent significant money on a custom pool? Heating maximizes your investment by adding 3-5 months of comfortable swimming to your season.
Space Constraints Already have a full backyard with pool, deck, and outdoor living space? A heater adds functionality without requiring additional square footage.
Family Water Play Kids who love pool games and water activities get more months of enjoyment with heated pool water.
When a Hot Tub Makes More Sense
Relaxation Over Activity If you find yourself mainly floating or lounging in your pool rather than actively swimming, a hot tub better serves your actual usage pattern.
Intimate Gatherings Hot tubs create conversation spaces. Six people in a spa naturally chat and connect. Six people in a pool often scatter and swim separately.
Therapeutic Needs Hot water and massage jets provide therapeutic benefits that pool swimming can’t match. Great for sore muscles, joint pain, or stress relief.
Year-Round Use in Any Weather Hot tubs are comfortable even on chilly Georgia nights. Few people want to swim when it’s 45°F outside, but hot tub soaking is perfect.
Lower Operating Costs Heating a small spa is significantly less expensive than heating thousands of gallons of pool water.
Cost Comparison
Initial Investment
Pool Heaters:
- Gas heaters: Professional installation required
- Heat pumps: Professional installation required
- Solar: Professional installation required
Hot Tubs:
- Entry-level portable spas
- Mid-range quality spas
- Premium spas with advanced features
- Swim spas (combined swimming/soaking)
Operating Costs
Pool Heating:
- Depends heavily on pool size and desired temperature
- Gas heaters: Higher operating costs
- Heat pumps: Moderate costs, very efficient in Georgia climate
- Solar: Minimal costs after installation
Hot Tub Operating:
- Modern spas are energy-efficient
- Well-insulated models keep costs reasonable
- Much smaller water volume means lower heating costs
- Chemical costs are minimal compared to pools
Usage Patterns: The Reality Check
Pool Heater Reality: Most families with heated pools still primarily use them April-October. The heater extends comfortable swimming into March and November, maybe December. True winter swimming (January-February) happens less than families expect.
Hot Tub Reality: Many families use hot tubs MORE in winter than summer. Cool evenings make hot water incredibly appealing. Usage often increases in cooler months rather than decreasing.
Georgia Climate Considerations
Our Mild Winters Are Perfect For Hot Tubs Warner Robins winters rarely stay cold for extended periods. Hot tubs shine in our 40-60°F winter weather – cool enough to make warm water inviting, mild enough to sit outside comfortably.
Pool Heating Works Well Spring Through Fall Heat pumps (the most efficient option) work great when air temperatures stay above 50°F. That’s most days in Middle Georgia from March through November.
Summer Usage Differs
- Pools: Essential for cooling off
- Hot tubs: Used more in evenings when temperatures drop
Space and Installation
Pool Heater Installation:
- Equipment installed near existing pool equipment
- Minimal additional space required
- Gas heaters need gas line connection
- Heat pumps need electrical work
- Installation takes 1-2 days
Hot Tub Installation:
- Requires dedicated space (typically 7-9 feet square)
- Needs level foundation (concrete pad or reinforced deck)
- Requires 240V electrical service
- Can be positioned anywhere with proper access
- Installation takes 1-2 days after site prep
The Best of Both Worlds
Why Not Both? Many families eventually add both. Common progression:
- Start with pool only
- Add hot tub for year-round enjoyment
- Later add pool heater to maximize pool season
Integrated Systems: Custom pool builds can include built-in spas that share heating and filtration with the pool. This gives you both swimming and soaking in one integrated system.
Decision-Making Questions
Ask Yourself:
- How do we actually use our pool?
- Mostly swimming and playing? → Pool heater
- Mostly floating and relaxing? → Hot tub
- When do we wish we could use our pool?
- March/April and October/November? → Pool heater works great
- December through February? → Hot tub is more realistic
- What’s our primary goal?
- Extend swimming season? → Pool heater
- Add relaxation and therapeutic benefits? → Hot tub
- Who will use it?
- Active kids and swimmers? → Pool heater
- Adults seeking relaxation? → Hot tub
- Multi-generational family? → Hot tub accommodates everyone
- What’s our budget?
- Want to maximize existing pool investment? → Pool heater
- Ready for new functionality? → Hot tub
What Warner Robins Families Tell Us
Pool Heater Buyers Say: “We love that our kids can swim in March now. The heater paid for itself in extended pool season.”
Hot Tub Buyers Say: “We thought we wanted to extend our pool season, but we realized we wanted a place to relax, not swim. The hot tub was perfect.”
Families with Both Say: “Pool for the kids and summer fun, hot tub for us and year-round enjoyment. Both serve different purposes perfectly.”
Our Honest Recommendation
There’s no universally right answer. The best choice depends on your family’s actual usage patterns and goals.
Lean Toward Pool Heater If:
- You have active swimmers in the family
- Your pool is less than 5 years old
- You specifically want to swim in cooler weather
- You have budget constraints (heaters typically cost less upfront)
Lean Toward Hot Tub If:
- Your pool usage is mainly lounging and floating
- You want true year-round outdoor enjoyment
- You’re seeking therapeutic benefits
- You want a conversation and gathering space
- You have room for both pool and spa
Get Expert Guidance
Every family’s situation is unique. Visit our showroom to discuss your specific needs, property, and goals.
We’ll help you understand:
- Exact costs for your property
- Installation requirements and timeline
- Operating cost projections
- Financing options
- Which option best matches your usage patterns
Visit us at: 540 S. Houston Lake Road
Warner Robins, GA 31088
(478) 953-7300
