How to Calculate Heat for an Aboveground Pool
- 1). Decide the exact temperature, in Fahrenheit, that you want your pool to be heated to. This number is based largely on personal preference and will vary depending on the user.
- 2). Find out the average outdoor temperature for the coldest period of time you'll be using your pool. Energy Savers.org recommends that you find the average temperature for the coldest single month you'll be using your pool. You can find this information by typing your zip code into a variety of weather-centric websites like Weather.com or the National Weather Service website.
- 3). Find the "temperature rise" for your pool. This number is the total amount of degrees in Fahrenheit that your heater will need to work to get your pool to your ideal temperature. To find this information, subtract your "average outdoor temperature" number from your "ideal temperature" number.
- 4). Measure your pool to find its volume. To do this, multiply either its length by its width by its depth (for oval, square or rectangular pools) or its diameter by its diameter by its depth (for circular pools).
- 5). Multiply the "temperature rise" number you calculated by the "volume" number you calculated by 12. This will give you the minimum number of British thermal units (Btu) your pool needs to be able to output to get your pool to the comfortable level you desire.
