The Best Pool Chillers (2024)
"My pool is too hot!"
We're hearing this a lot lately. You have a pool and you want to enjoy it- but it's just not refreshing (or healthy!) to swim in a pool that feels like bathwater. On top of that, uncomfortably warm pools require up to 30% more chemical treatment to stay sanitary, and they'll lose water faster to evaporation.
So you're wondering,
Is a pool chiller worth it?
We put together this guide to our selection of pool chillers to help you decide if one of these units is right for you.
What temperature is too hot for a pool?
The American Red Cross advises that pools should never exceed 90º F (32º C)- and this is about safety and comfort. Some states have laws stating that public pools must close when this temperature is exceeded. Pregnant women, elderly people, and individuals with heart disease or high blood pressure are strongly advised against using pools this hot.
How do pool chillers work?
So, how do pool chillers work? They work very similarly- but in reverse- to how pool heat pumps work. This is different from how Glacier Pool Coolers work. They are evaporative pool chillers, which use mist to trap and remove heat from your pool.
How much does a pool chiller cost?
Pool chillers cost between $2000 to over $6000.
How much does it cost to run a pool chiller?
Based on a national electricity average of $0.17 per kWh, it costs about $10 to run a chiller and heater unit, about $7.50 to run a pool chiller pump, and about $1 to run an evaporative Glacier Pool Cooler for one overnight cycle.
Are pool chillers worth it?
We think so! You can install your pool chiller in one afternoon, run it overnight, and you could see rapid temperature decreases of 5 - 15º F.
What's the best pool chiller for your pool?
We've reviewed a selection of pool chillers, pool heater and chiller units, and evaporative cooling systems. We'll talk about installation considerations, cost to run the unit, ease of operation. Our recommendations are based on pool types, climate, and pool owner preferences.
Let's dive in!
Quick Links
- Glacier Pool Coolers | Best Overall
- FibroPool FH235-i and FH285-i | Best Value
- GulfStream TA Series | Best Pool Chiller and Heater Combo
- GPC-210 and TC500 | Best Pool Chiller Systems for Above Ground Pools
- GPC-210 and GPC-215 | Best Pool Chillers for In-Ground Pools
- AquaCal TropiCool Series | Best Pool Chiller with Automation
Glacier Pool Coolers
Best Overall
Glacier pool chillers are our top pick based on their popularity with customers from all different climates- from dry, sunny regions to the humid Gulf Coast, these units work well and efficiently.
You can see up to a 10 - 15° F drop in your swimming pool temperatures within a single overnight period, for less than $1 in electricity costs.
Pros
- No need to call an electrician: Residential models run on 110 volts and weigh between 100 - 200 lbs
- Energy efficiency: When you run your cooler overnight, you'll spend less than $0.10 per hour- they run on between 8 - 12 amps. No blown fuses or surprise energy bills!
- Total pool area cooling: The evaporative cooling mechanism removes heat from your pool water and all around your pool deck and sitting area- creating a more pleasant environment for everyone.
Cons
- Not a plug-and-play setup: Glacier units are adaptable for new, existing, and automated pool setups. Because of this, they require system-specific plumbing calibration during installation.
- Imprecise cooling control: Glacier coolers don't incorporate a dial for precise temperature setting, so you have to extend or shorten your cooling time based on your preferences. Similarly, when humidity is higher, efficiency decreases slightly- that said, all unit testing for Glacier pool chillers is based on humidity levels in Houston, TX- which experiences tropical humidity levels of 60 - 90% in summer.
FibroPool FH235-i and FH285-i
Best Value
FibroPool has developed a completely new inverter pool chiller and heater pump for the 2024 season. The variable speed compressor in their pump supercharges the efficiency of the unit, allowing it to respond more accurately to changing weather conditions.
Because of this, it functions twice as efficiently as other top-of-the-line heater and chiller pumps. This makes it an excellent choice for a wide variety of climates, especially dry regions.
You get the dual heating and cooling functionality with maximum efficiency for a very competitive price point.
Pros
- Maximum efficiency in a wide variety of climates: Reverse cycle heat pumps usually work better in humid climates, but the full inverter technology in this unit supports dynamic adaptation to weather and efficient operation regardless of humidity.
- Dual functionality: The heating and cooling functions support year-round use of your pool.
- Competitive price point: FibroPool engineers have been in the business for over 2 decades, and they are rigorously attentive when it comes to product design. You're getting a versatile, high quality, energy efficient product for an absolute steal.
Cons
- More complicated installation: The FH 235-i and FH 285-i run on 220-240 volts, so you may need a certified electrician to help install the unit.
GulfStream HE125 TA and HE150 TA
Best Pool Chiller and Heater
GulfStream offers an excellent, durable product that performs both heating and cooling functions efficiently.
Pros
- High efficiency and high power output: At more than 600% efficiency and an output of 118,000 - 137,000 BTUs, these chiller and heater combo units are rated for use in pools between 20,000 - 25,000 gallons.
- Dual functionality: You can use the GulfStream TA series to cool your pool in the summer and warm it to extend your pool use in the in shoulder seasons.
Cons
- More complicated installation: GulfStream chiller and heaters run on 220-240 volts, which may require the assistance of a certified electrician.
- Optimized for heating, not cooling: Like any dual function heat pump, running the cool setting (also known as "reverse cycling") is less efficient, so you should consider your family's pool use and specific needs before committing to a combo unit.
AquaCal SQ120R and SQ166R
Runner Up: Best Pool Chiller and Heater
The AquaCal SuperQuiet series is a great pool chiller and heater runner up. The efficiency of these units compares closely to the GulfStream TA series, but the price point is higher.
Pros
- Dual heating and cooling functionality supports longer pool use
- Seamless integration with the AquaCal AutoPilot family of PoolSync enabled technology
Cons
- Higher price point compared to the GulfStream TA Series
- Slightly lower operational efficiency compared to the TA Series
Glacier Pool Coolers GPC-25 and AquaCal TropiCool TC500: Best Pool Chiller Systems for Above Ground Pools
This one's a tie. Now we're talking about the best pool chillers for above ground pools or smaller in-ground pools, generally less than 20,000 gallons.
Glacier GPC-25
- Energy efficiency: The GPC-25 is the clear winner, drawing about 1/10th of the electricity used to power the TC500.
- Price point: The pool chiller price and operational cost of the GPC-25 is more economical than the TC-500.
- Automation integration: both units support integration with automated pool management systems, so they tie on this point.
AquaCal TropiCool TC500
- Precise temperature control: the TC500 allows the user to set a desired pool temperature, which you can't do with the GPC-25.
- Predictable pool temperature management, regardless of humidity: the TC500 works even better in humid conditions, while the GPC-25 is less efficient in very high humidity.
- Automation integration: both tie on automation.
Glacier Pool Coolers GPC-210 and GPC-215
Best Pool Chillers for In-Ground Pools
The GPC-210 (for pools up to 30,000 gallons) and GPC-215 (for pools up to 45,000 gallons) are both excellent options for in-ground pool cooling based on their extremely high efficiency and evaporative cooling technology.
Pros
- Energy and cost efficiency: the unit cost, installation cost, and operational cost of running these pool chillers- even for large swimming pools- is exceptionally great bang for your buck.
Cons
- Lack of precise control over cooling: Glacier pool chillers don't utilize a temperature setting, which may require longer or shorter run time testing based on your pool temperature preferences.
AquaCal TropiCool Series
Best Pool Chiller with Automation
The AquaCal TropiCool series is like the Goldilocks of cooling units: it uses refrigerant and a pump to recirculate chilled water into your pool. It's designed exclusively for cooling, so it's more efficient than a heater and chiller pump and more consistent in its cooling than an evaporative pool chiller.
Pros
- Design efficiency: TropiCool chillers are designed for pool cooling, making them better for this application compared to combo chiller and heater units. Plus. they work even more efficiently in high humidity, which is common in summer across the USA.
- Easy push button setting and diagnostics using the user-friendly LCD screen
- Bluetooth capability and PoolSync integration: AquaCal designs their whole pool collection to easily integrate for seamless one-glance pool management from your phone using the PoolSync WiFi controller and app.
Cons
- More costly to purchase and operate compared to evaporative pool coolers
So there you have it: our pros, cons, and details to help you consider which pool chiller might be right for your needs. As always, contact us if you want to chat more!