What a heat pump pool heater costs in each state
The table prices a medium heat pump drawing 2.6 kW for six hours a day across a full year. Most pools are heated for part of the year only, so scale the yearly figure to the months you use it.
| State | Rate | A month | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| TasmaniaAurora Energy | 24.75c | $117.44 | $1,409 |
| QueenslandEnergex | 27.97c | $132.74 | $1,593 |
| Victoriaaverage of five networks | 28.2c | $133.79 | $1,605 |
| Northern TerritoryJacana Energy | 31.68c | $150.32 | $1,804 |
| New South WalesAusgrid | 33.14c | $157.24 | $1,887 |
| Western AustraliaSynergy | 33.26c | $157.83 | $1,894 |
| Australian Capital TerritoryEvoenergy network | 36.95c | $175.34 | $2,104 |
| South AustraliaSA Power Networks | 41.91c | $198.86 | $2,386 |
Running costs by heater size
| Type | Power | Cost an hour | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small heat pump pool heater | 1,800 W | 60c | $1,306 |
| Medium heat pump pool heater | 2,600 W | 86c | $1,887 |
| Large heat pump pool heater | 3,500 W | 116c | $2,540 |
| Solar pool heating pump | 600 W | 20c | $435 |
The figure to check on a heat pump is its input power in kW, which is in the specifications, along with its coefficient of performance (COP). A higher COP means more heat for each kWh. Performance drops in cold air, so a heat pump costs more to run in winter than in spring or autumn.
Heat pump, gas or solar?
Heat pump
- Much cheaper per unit of heat than gas or an electric element
- Can run on rooftop solar or cheap midday power
- Higher upfront cost
- Slower to heat and less effective in cold air
Best for: Pools heated through spring, summer and autumn.
Gas
- Heats quickly
- Works in any weather
- The SA Government estimates $4 to $17 an hour to run
Best for: Occasional fast heating, such as spas or pools used rarely.
Solar pool heating
- Free heat from the sun
- Only a small pump to run, about 0.5 to 0.75 kW
- Needs roof space
- Little heat on cloudy or cold days
Best for: Extending the swimming season in sunny areas.
| Heating | Energy | Cost an hour |
|---|---|---|
| Gas pool heater | 100-425 MJ an hour | $4.00-$17.00 |
| Solar heating pump | 0.5-0.75 kW | $0.18-$0.26 |
Cover first, heat second
A transparent bubble cover can warm a pool by as much as 7 degrees on its own, says energy.gov.au, and it holds in the heat you pay for. It is the cheapest upgrade for any heated pool. Our pool pump page covers the other half of pool running costs.
Questions about pool heating costs
A medium heat pump drawing 2.6 kW costs about 86c an hour on the Ausgrid reference rate. Six hours a day for three summer months comes to about $470.
Usually, by a wide margin. The SA Government estimates gas pool heaters at $4 to $17 an hour, while a heat pump costs well under $1.50 an hour to run on most electricity rates.
The heat is free, but a pump circulates water through the roof collectors. The SA Government puts that pump at 0.5 to 0.75 kW, or about 18c to 26c an hour at its 35c rate.
Yes. energy.gov.au says a bubble cover can cut heat losses from a heated pool by as much as 75% and warm an unheated pool by up to 7 degrees.
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the regulator or the regulated retailer. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.