It used to be that heating a Koi pond was only done by very high end Koi keepers. It used to be very expensive and Koi for the most part were mainly kept in climates that did not need heating in the cold months. Today Koi are being kept in much colder climates and the cost of heating a Koi pond is much less.
My advice to most Koi owners is unless you live in the warmest of climates, consider heating your pond. By heating we're not just talking about keeping it ice free in the winter. You want to maintain a minimum temperature of 54 - 57F. This will reduce dangerous fluctuations in temperature and allow your Koi to feed all year long. Remember that most of the fish that being imported into the colder climates have not been exposed to low temperatures in the cold months. Heating could prevent many and safeguard the health of your fish. You've made the investment, why not protect it.
There are basically two ways to heat your Koi pond. The simplest to install and most efficient is the inline electric water heater. The heater is fitted into the return pipe after the external pump if one is used in a gravity-fed system. You should figure about one kilowatt of electrical power per 1,000 gallons of water. Depending on the ambient temperature of the water this might vary. I always suggest getting a heater a little more powerful than you need so that it won't have to run continuously in the coldest months.
The other option that you have is a heat exchanger system. Although they are more expensive to buy and install they are cheaper in operating expense. The heat exchanger is basically a radiator that pond water is pumped through to warm. The water in the radiator is heated by a small boiler that is fired by natural gas, electricity or oil.
Whether you heat your Koi pond or not, it is always a good idea to cover it in the cold months. Just don't make it to air tight. The best covers have zipped openings to allow gases that build up to escape and to allow access to the fish if needed.
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