Millivolt vs. Electronic Pool Heaters
Millivolt vs. Electronic
What’s the difference between Millivolt Heaters and Electronic Heaters?
Electronic Heaters have a pilot that lights only when needed. Similar to a modern gas stove, a small, electronic spark ignites the pilot when you turn the gas on. The pilot shuts itself off after the burners are lit. Millivolt Heaters have a Standing Pilot. This means that a pilot burns all the time, like older gas kitchen stoves. Having a Standing Pilot (Millivolt Heaters) obviously wastes a small amount of gas. It can also attract bugs, rodents and snakes seeking out the warmth it produces. Electronic heaters are micro-processor controlled. Circuit boards, similar to those found in modern PC’s are used to control and analyze the heater functions. This also allows for LED indicators for temperature and troubleshooting.
So, Which is Better?
Five to Ten years ago, I would have said Millivolt. Early electronic models had their fair share of irritating problems, coupled with my mental block on working on them. I would profess to love “Mechanical Devices, not Electronic Devices.” But now that my understanding of Electronic Heaters has grown, I would say that they are simple to install, and easier to troubleshoot than Millivolt Heaters. FOR ME! If you plan to work on this heater yourself, and you understand Millivolt Heaters, and share my earlier mental block on electronic circuitry, then your choice is simple. If you plan to have pool service companies work on it, then I would recommend electronic. In another 10 years, the knowledge base will switch, and pool techs will be scratching their heads trying to figure out how to work on these “confusing” Millivolt heaters. It’ll be “Old School” stuff.