New pool owner. I'm not concerned about price, and I realize a heater in Vegas is more of a luxury. What makes the most sense when it comes to being more energy or cost efficient? The pump leaks water. Believe it's an older model IntelliFlo. The filter is a DE. The pool has plaster coming off. I'd be looking to replace or replaster one of these in about six months.

I am a bit confused by 2 statements "I'm not concerned about price" and "more energy or cost efficient" Are you saying save energy and money no matter what the up fronts costs are, right? Skip the heater and fix the leak.

I'm not sure why you're confused. Price is the amount of money it would take to purchase the item. But having an energy or cost efficient system would benefit me in the long run. Fixing the leak wasn't in my question. Fixing a leak would just put a band-aid on the dilemma. Any one else have an answer with a little more thought that ballengerb1?

If you have plaster breaking away/coming off you need to repair that first. Pending on how severe it is determines the method of repair... patch or replace.

My opinion for the pump/filter is to have an inspection done on it. Replace all rubber seals and replace the filters.

The plaster can damage/clog the pump/filter if it made it into it... in turn it can cause a higher use of energy for longer filtration use.

The heater can be last or just ripped out since you don't seem to be all woooo hooo for it.

I love salt water systems... easier to manage and good for your skin. [the salt] plus you don't need chlorine tabs or liquid chlorine.
Eyes don't get all red and irritated from the salt water system and some people are allergic to the chlorine.


Now for some tips/tricks
Efficent/energy saving
http://www.tightwatt.com/pool-care-tips/index.html

"The pump leaks water" was the first piece you gave us so I thought it was one of the complaints about the pool. A heater in Vegas is the most expensive and least necessary aspect of your pool. Leaking water in a place where most folks can't even have a lawn seems like a waste of a resource that can never be recovered so it is environmentally unsound.