A pool heat pump uses a small amount of electricity to operate. Instead of heating with an electric heating element they collect heat from the outside air. Even when it is 50 degrees outside there is enough heat in the air to put in the pool even though it feels cold to us. In other words, you are just really moving existing heat around from the air to your water, this heat is removed from the air, concentrated with your compressor, and then transferred to the water.

Heat pump pool heaters work efficiently as long as the outside temperature remains above the 45ºF–50ºF range. The cooler the outside air they draw in, the more energy they use. However, since most people use outdoor swimming pools during warm and mild weather, this usually isn't an issue.  And Because of their high efficiency, heat pumps have a low cost of operation. Typically, for every 20 cents of electric input, you receive $1.00 worth of heat.