Swimming Pool Heaters

Swimming pool heaters can be the more complicated of pool equipment on you pool equipment pad. Making repairs to pool heaters should be performed by qualified personnel. Gas pool heaters using natural gas or LP (Propane) gas can be hazardous with combustion or exhaust of the pool heater. Hayward pool equipment has created the Pool heater FAQ below to help the pool owner with pool heater repairs and pool heater troubleshooting. Anthony, Purex, Coates, Hayward, Comfortzone, Jandy, Pentair, Raypak, Teledyne Laars/ Jandy, or Sta-Rite heater.

My heater will not ignite

Is the system switch on?
Is the thermostat up to temperature?
Is the pump running with a clean filter less than or equal to 16 psi on pressure gauge?
Is the gas valve in the on position?
Is the pilot lit?
Is the gas supply valve open?
Are all plumbing and filter valves open?
If a bypass is installed, is it properly adjusted?
Contact a qualified technician if you still cannot find the problem.

The pilot won’t light?

This could be due to low gas pressure, inadequate air supply, or improper venting. Make sure gas is turned on; with propane, make sure the tank has fuel. Also check for water run-off from roof or sprinklers. Check to make sure the heater pilot tubing is intact and not clogged.

Heater won’t reach the desired temperature?

The thermostat may be set too low. If the heat loss is greater than the heater input – the heater may be too small, outside air temperature is too low, or your heater may have inadequate gas supply. You may want to install a solar cover to slow heat loss. All heaters have high limit switches to prevent overheating. A faulty high limit switch could shut off the heater, or the problem could be that the heater is truly overheating, perhaps from improper exhaust.

The heater cycles on and off before it reaches the desired temperature?

Your heater may have inadequate water flow due to a dirty filter, closed valve, external bypass, reversed water connections, or pressure switch out of adjustment. It is also possible that your thermostat is out of calibration or needs replacing.

Can Hayward heaters be installed indoors?

Yes, specific conditions apply. Please consult your owner’s manual for complete details. They must be vented to the outside in a very specific manner, and have enough influent air to combust properly. Improperly installed pool heaters have the potential to cause fatalities from carbon monoxide emissions, or gas explosions.

How much fuel does my heater use?

Propane heaters use one gallon of fuel per hour for each 91,000 BTU’s of heater input.

Example: A 250,000 BTU heater uses: 250,000/91,000 = 2.75 gallon per hour

Natural gas heaters use one therm (100,000) BTU per 100,000 BTU’s heater size. Your gas is usually billed by therms.

How can I save on my heating costs?

Purchase an energy efficient model.
Use a solar blanket on your swimming pool when not in use.
Keep the temperature at the lowest comfortable position.
Remember to not turn up the heater to maximum, (it will not heat any faster) But set it at a known setting for your desired maximum temp.
Turn heater off or to a low setting during periods of non-use.
Wind is one of the largest heat thieves. Fences or shrubbery can reduce the effect that wind will have on pool heat loss.

Other Tips to Economize on Pool Heating – from Teledyne Laars/ Jandy:

Keep a thermometer in your pool. It will pinpoint accurately the temperature most comfortable for you.
Keep your thermostat at the lowest comfortable setting. Each degree more heat than needed could add more to your monthly fuel cost and use up more energy than necessary.
Mark the “comfort setting” on the thermostat dial. This will prevent accidental or careless over-heating and waste of energy.
Lower thermostat to 70 degrees when pool is to be unused for three or four days. For longer periods, shut the heater off. You will save money on fuel consumption and help conserve energy.
Protect your pool from wind. Wind above 3 to 5 miles per hour can lower the pool temperature substantially. A hedge, cabana or decorative fence can be an effective windbreak.
Use a pool cover when pool is not in use. This can reduce heat loss by as much as 50%. If you are vacationing for a couple of weeks or shutting down for winter, turn the heater off completely, including any pilot light.
Drain heater completely prior to freezing weather. Freezing water inside the heat exchanger can result in costly repairs.
Get a maintenance checkup annually. It’s your best ounce of prevention. Call your Teledyne Laars/ Jandy dealer for a skilled technician to do the job. The cost is minimal and the service will keep your heater working efficiently for many years.

Swimming Pool Heaters