How To Troubleshoot A Gas Pool Heater
A gas pool heater can be the perfect way to warm your pool when it temperatures start to drop. But nothing can end your cool weather swimming season more quickly than a faulty heater.
The key is to know how to troubleshoot your natural gas pool heater. Youll get back to enjoying your pool more quickly, and youll save money if you dont need to call in a professional.
Operating A Digitally Controlled Heater
How Often Should I Run My Swimming Pool Heat Pump
If you have a swimming pool heat pump, you probably wonder how often you should be running it. This is certainly understandable because many AquaCal customers struggle with the same issue. So in order to address this subject and to help others, we explain how often you should run your heat pump in order to most benefit from it. You may be surprised!
Unlike gas heaters, heat pumps are most efficient when they are run for long periods of time and when they are run often. This is because they heat very slowly but maintain temperatures very well. If you only run your heat pump when you use your swimming pool, your heat pump will have to raise your water temperature by as much as 20°F everytime you use your swimming pool. This will cost you both time and money. Alternatively, if you regularly run your heat pump, your heat pump will only have to replace heat lost due to evaporation, rainfall, etc. Heat pumps low costs of operation make this option affordable and practical.
When deciding how often you want to run your heat pump, keep the following things in mind:
This Post Has 47 Comments
You May Like: How Much Water Is In My Pool
Gas Pool Heater Troubleshooting
Gas pool heater troubleshooting might be necessary if your heater suddenly stops working, you notice water leaking or you’re hearing loud noises.;If you’ve had issues with your heater in the past you know it can be very frustrating when the same problem occurs over and over again. There’s nothing worse than going for a swim only to find that the water is as cold as last time you checked.;
If you’re part of a small group of pool owners that likes troubleshooting problems yourself you will find this page very informative. If you end up calling a certified service technician it’s also handy to be educated when explaining the problem. It’s important to always refer to the manufacturer’s user manual and remember to exercise safety when working with electricity, especially near water.;
Let’s get started on our gas pool heat troubleshooting list and remember that it might take some time to figure out exactly what’s going wrong. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, over your head or you can’t figure it out call a professional that works with appliance repair every day.
The Heater Wont Reach The Desired Temperature
In most cases, this just means the thermostat is set too low. However, it could be that your heater is too small for your pool, or you dont have an adequate supply of gas to the heater.
In some cases, the high limit switch could be faulty, which may signal a natural gas pool heater to turn off before its heated the water to the desired temperature. On occasion, you may just be running the heater when its too cold outside. If this is the case, youll have to wait for warmer weather.
Don’t Miss: Can You Finance An Inground Swimming Pool
When To Turn On Heater
ajw22 said:A heat pump generates heat slowly do you need to anticipate when you will have nice weather and want to swim.Pentair has a Heat Pump Calculator to determine the appropriate size Heat Pump for your location. Pentair seems to do honest calculations based on the physics and efficiencies of each type of pump and energy source. Yiu can out in your electrical cost and get an idea of cost to run your HP by month.
browerjs said:I thought I read that it needed to be at least 50 degrees for an electric heater would be efficient. The lows are never going to get above 50, so I wasn’t sure. So is the idea I just turn it on right away and then turn it off once the air temp is over 84 consistently? And then turn it back on in Sept/Oct?Sorry, I’m a noob
ajw22 said:Even if on your HP will not generate heat when the air temp is below 50. You can leave it on and your pump running and it will give you heat when it can. You need to see if you get sufficient heat during the day to get your pool to your desired temperature.Do you have a cover? It will help reduce heat loss at night and reduce how much the HP needs to run to maintain the desired pool temperature.You turn your HP on or off based on if you have the desired pool water temperature, not air temperature.
ajw22 said:Correct.But you are wasting money running the HP when it cannot get your water to the desired temperature during the day.
My Solar Pool Heater Wont Turn On
Technically a solar pool heater cant be turned on since the heater is mostly comprised of solar paneling/material. However, it is still powered by your pump.
Possible cause: Lack of direct sunlight
Solution:
- Wait for the sun to come out
- If it is sunny out, try moving the solar panels/fixture to a spot with better sun exposure
Possible Cause: Weak pool pump
Depending on how your solar pool heating system is set up, your pump might have to send water all the way up to your roof and back into your pool. ;In some cases, smaller or worn out pool pumps may not be able to handle the job
Solution:
- Check the PSI of your pool system for proper pressure levels
- If using a variable speed pump, turn up the speed
- Upgrade to a stronger pump
Also Check: How Much Do Blue World Pools Cost
How Do I Turn On My Aqua Comfort Heat Pump
Using your AquaComfort Heat Pump
From early morning to late evening, even with air temperatures of 65 degrees or lower if your pool is warm. You can stretch your pool season by twice in most areas and even longer in other areas by having a heated pool.
Furthermore, how long does it take for a pool to heat up by the sun? 8 to 12 hours
Likewise, people ask, will a black tarp heat a pool?
A swimming pool tarp, for example, that’s black on both sides is like a giant solar panel. Because a black tarp on a swimming pool’s water surface traps solar heat energy, it will eventually turn cool, refreshing pool water into a tepid, warm bath.
How can I heat my pool cheaply?
Here are the seven cheapest ways to heat your pool this off-season.
Handle An Overworking Unit
A heater that just wont shut off can be particularly alarming. It may result in extremely high water temperatures and constitutes an extreme danger. To get to the root of such problems, you should:
Check the gas valve. To do so, remove the wire running between the gas valve and the thermostat. If the heater doesnt shut off, you have a faulty valve that must be replaced. If the heater does shut off, the gas valve is OK, but you know you have a control problem.
Call for backup. At this point, heater manufacturers recommend that you bring in a specialist to troubleshoot the system because of the seriousness of the problem.
Also Check: Where To Buy Swimming Pools
How To Install And Use A Natural Gas Pool Heater
- Written by Kenneth Rivera on Oct 03, 2010To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.Reviewed by
Installing your very own natural gas pool heateris a great way for you to warm up the swimming pool at your home. You can heat up the water in your pool to give you the effects of a Jacuzzi, depending on the temperature settings. A natural gas pool heater has many advantages compared to other types of pool heaters such as those that produce heat using electricity. A natural gas pool heater is more energy-efficient and more environment-friendly than an electric pool heater. Below are the materials that you need along with the instructions on how to install a natural gas pool heater.
Step 1-Location of Pool Heater
Locate your ideal spot for the natural gas pool heater. The spot will depend on the type of heater model you have chosen to buy. As much as possible, find a spot that is near a pump so that you will not have to use as much piping. Also, keep in mind that the locations of your pool natural gas heater should be accessible to where your gas supply lines are.
Step 2-Piping
Step 3-Connect Gas Supply
Step 4-Test the Pool Heater
Have The Right Tools For The Job
Although most of the troubleshooting tips in this post dont require opening up the heater, having the tools for the job comes in handy later.
When youre ready to troubleshoot your pool heater and get it fixed, youll want to be prepared. Having the right tools from the start helps you troubleshoot your pool heater faster.
Before calling for heat pump service, gather these tools:
- Multimeter capable of checking AC volts, DC volts, and Ohms
- 24Manometer .
- 5/16 nut driver
- Combustion Analyzer needed for all commercial units.
Recommended Reading: How To Increase Hardness In Pool Water
Choosing A Heat Pump Pool Heater
When it comes to choosing a heat pump pool heater, there are a few things to consider:
- Cost
Sizing
Buying the right size for your pool is really important during the installation process. A heater is sized according to the surface area of the pool and the difference between the pool and the average air temperatures. There are three factors that affect pool heating:
- Wind Exposure
- Humidity Levels
- Cool Nighttime Temperatures
Sizing a pool heater is less tricky than sizing a pool heat pump or gas heater. Pool heaters are sized using BTUs, which stands for British thermal unit. A BTU is the measured amount of heat created by a pool heater. Outputs range from 75,000 BTU to 450,000 BTU. To calculate an approximate heater size for an outdoor swimming pool, follow these steps.
Efficiency and Cost
When it comes to efficiency, youll want to compare the cost of performance of the pump youre considering. The higher the COP, the more energy efficient it is. Typically, COP is measured by testing a heat pump pool heater with an outdoor temperature of 80 degrees. COPs usually range from 3.0 to 7.0, which converts to an efficiency of around 500%. This means that for every unit of electricity it takes to run a compressor, you get 3-7 units of heat.
Operating A Heat Pump Or Pool Heater
After you get the unit wired by a licensed electrician and plumbed, you are all set to turn it on. This is where you will need to read your Owner’s Manual as every pool heat pump has different controls. Ensure that all valves are open to allow water to get to the pool heat pump. Sometimes valves may look open, but they are actually closed. Your heat pump will only run if your water pump is running. There are instances where the heat pump can still run if the water pump is off, but this is very rare and is only on select plumbing installations where siphoning occurs; this must be corrected.
When the unit is running in heating mode, make sure that the air being exhausted from the top is cooler than the ambient air. This is a sure sign that the pool heat pump is working. If the heat pump is still running when your water pump is off, turn your heater off and call us or the manufacturer. This will sometimes occur if the heater is set well below the water level of the pool or the flow switch needs to be adjusted. Most heat pumps will shut down below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and start up again once the temperature gets above 50. There are some heat pumps that will go below 50 degrees Fahrenheit if they have an active hot Freon defrost. You can improve the performance of your heat pump during cool days by using a solar blanket on the water. In some unique cases the use of a solar blanket is necessary for the heat pump to properly maintain high temperatures.
Read Also: How To Take Calcium Off Pool Tile
How Do I Winterize My Gas Pool Heater
Draining water out of the heater before winter will prevent a lot of the costly problems listed above in our gas pool heater troubleshooting list. Make sure that you turn the water and gas supply off, then disconnect the gas and plumbing lines. Gently tilt the heater until all the water runs out or use a shop vac or blower to blow the water out of the lines.;
How To Correctly Install A Heat Pump Pool Heater
Your heat pump is not only a great investment, but also the most cost efficient method available for heating pools and spas. Should you ever require help in using or maintaining your heat pump, you will find poolheatpumps.com customer and technical support staff to be the most qualified and easily accessed customer service team in the pool heat pump industry. We are here for you!
It might be necessary to have a licensed electrician or natural gas professional assist you so that your heater is installed properly and safely. Remember that all pool heater models will require varying guidelines in regard to proper clearance and ventilation and all manufacturer specifications should be strictly adhered to.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Pool Waterline Tile
The Heater Wont Ignite
This brings you back to the first troubleshooting option: check the pilot light to make sure its lit. Then make sure the pool heater is turned on, and the gas supply valve is in the on position.
If all of that is in order, then make sure the thermostat is set to a temperature higher than the water temperature.
Estimating Heat Pump Swimming Pool Heater Costs And Savings
For an outdoor swimming pool, use the following tables to help estimate your annual heat pump pool heater;costs and savings compared to using an electric resistance or a;gas pool heater.
Table 1 estimates annual swimming heat pump pool heating costs by location, by;water temperature, and with or without using a;pool cover.
Table 1. Costs by Location of Heating Outdoor Pools with a Heat Pump*
| LOCATION |
|---|
| $200 | $800 |
*Based on an electric resistance heated pool, which costs $1,000 per year at an electric cost of $.085/kwh, and using a natural gas cost 0f $.80/therm. A seasonal average COP of 5.0 was used to determine heat pump savings.
Read Also: What Pool Chemicals Do I Need
Inspect The Plumbing Valves
Troubleshooting your pool heater can be as simple as inspecting the plumbing valves. While this may seem a little silly, if your plumbing valves are set in the wrong direction, then your pool heater will not be getting the necessary water flow. Doing a quick walk-through is of your plumbing valves and connections may lead you to find that an incorrect connection was made at some point.
