Swimming or Lap Pool Gas Heater Certified Repair
Service Technician, Maintenance Instructions and
Consulting
|
|
Swimming pool heaters are one of the most
complicated pieces 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 (Liquid
Propane) gas can be hazardous by combustion or
exhaust of the pool heater.
Pool Heater Guide below was created to help the pool owner with pool heater repairs and pool heater troubleshooting prior to contacting a professional. Spa Tec offers repair, renovation, replacement or inspections for: Anthony, Purex, Coates, Hayward, Comfortzone, Jandy, Pentair, Raypak, Teledyne Laars, Jandy or Sta-Rite brand pool heaters in the West Michigan area. |
Gas Pool Heater Troubleshooting Guide and Advice for Owners
The Heater will not Ignite:
The Pilot will not 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 that may be flooding the heater. Check to make sure the heater pilot tubing is intact and not clogged.
The Heater will not reach the set 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 an inadequate gas supply. You may want to install a Solar Pool Cover to slow heat loss from your pool. All pool 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 out of the top of the heater.
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 to be replaced.
The Pilot needs to be re-lit often: See previous two questions for additional information. Also check for water run off from above or sprinklers directed at heater. A high wind stack may be needed due to heater location. Milli-volt models have a thermocouple or pilot generator that may be faulty or weak. Loose or rusty connections of the thermocouple to the gas valve or loose coil connection, or a short in these wires can shut off a pilot.
A Clicking or Sparking sound is coming from the Heater: Usually the noise is from a pilot light automatic ignition system. Review the pool heater owner's manual. If you do not find your answer, turn the heater off and contact Spa Tec. Make sure that the gas valves are all in the on position, and if LP (Propane) is being used, check the gauge on the tank to ensure gas is available.
The Heater is Leaking Water: The pool heater heat exchanger may be leaking because of chemical or sanitizer damage. The damage may be from winter freeze - usually leaking upon spring start-up, and usually on the return manifold, aka rear header. There could be a gasket leaking, or a loose connection to the pressure switch.
The Heater Leaks Water only when it is on: This may be caused by condensation (occurring when heating very cold water); a missing or damaged internal bypass in the front header; or excessive water flow through the heater from an oversized pump. Check the heat exchanger for sooting, and make sure the internal bypass is working. Install an external pool heater bypass if necessary to reduce the water flow coming into the heater.
The Top of the Heater is Blackened with Soot or Emitting Black Exhaust : Either low gas pressure and/or inadequate air supply and venting. Review the installation requirements in the pool heater Owner's Manual. Both conditions may need to be evaluated by a qualified service technician. This is called sooting and could lead to other problems or hazards.
The Heater is Damaged by Excessive Heat: One, or a combination of the following: low gas pressure, down-drafting, air supply, and venting. The pool heater may need a high wind stack, if installed near a vertical wall or windy area. Make sure that the heater is installed with proper clearances all around the outside. Pool Heaters can catch adjacent structures on fire, and pool heaters should not be located near windows, where carbon monoxide from the pool heater could be drawn into the house.
Rust Particles are showing up in the Poo l: Water Chemistry imbalance will deteriorate protective coatings on heater components and create rust. Usually the cast iron headers is where this occurs. Replace any damaged components and balance water chemistry. Be sure chemical feeders are installed after the heater with a check valve between them to prevent back flow of sanitized water which is highly corrosive.
The Heater makes a whistling noise : Low gas pressure can cause whistling in the burners. Check your Owner's Guide or contact your installer.
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. Gas invoices are usually billed by therms.
How can I save on fuel costs?
Get a maintenance checkup annually. It’s your best ounce of prevention. Contact Spa Tec for a skilled technician to do the job. The cost is minimal and the service will keep your heater working efficiently for many years. Keep your heater clean and as dry as possible. Investing in a winter pool heater cover is also a good idea to keep out the elements.
- Is the heater switch on?
- Is the thermostat set to a higher temperature than current water temp?
- Is the pump running with a clean filter?
- Is the heater gas valve in the on position?
- Is the heater pilot lit?
- Is the gas supply valve open?
- Are all plumbing and filter valves open?
- If a heater bypass is installed, is it properly adjusted?
- Contact Spa Tec if you still cannot locate the problem.
The Pilot will not 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 that may be flooding the heater. Check to make sure the heater pilot tubing is intact and not clogged.
The Heater will not reach the set 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 an inadequate gas supply. You may want to install a Solar Pool Cover to slow heat loss from your pool. All pool 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 out of the top of the heater.
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 to be replaced.
The Pilot needs to be re-lit often: See previous two questions for additional information. Also check for water run off from above or sprinklers directed at heater. A high wind stack may be needed due to heater location. Milli-volt models have a thermocouple or pilot generator that may be faulty or weak. Loose or rusty connections of the thermocouple to the gas valve or loose coil connection, or a short in these wires can shut off a pilot.
A Clicking or Sparking sound is coming from the Heater: Usually the noise is from a pilot light automatic ignition system. Review the pool heater owner's manual. If you do not find your answer, turn the heater off and contact Spa Tec. Make sure that the gas valves are all in the on position, and if LP (Propane) is being used, check the gauge on the tank to ensure gas is available.
The Heater is Leaking Water: The pool heater heat exchanger may be leaking because of chemical or sanitizer damage. The damage may be from winter freeze - usually leaking upon spring start-up, and usually on the return manifold, aka rear header. There could be a gasket leaking, or a loose connection to the pressure switch.
The Heater Leaks Water only when it is on: This may be caused by condensation (occurring when heating very cold water); a missing or damaged internal bypass in the front header; or excessive water flow through the heater from an oversized pump. Check the heat exchanger for sooting, and make sure the internal bypass is working. Install an external pool heater bypass if necessary to reduce the water flow coming into the heater.
The Top of the Heater is Blackened with Soot or Emitting Black Exhaust : Either low gas pressure and/or inadequate air supply and venting. Review the installation requirements in the pool heater Owner's Manual. Both conditions may need to be evaluated by a qualified service technician. This is called sooting and could lead to other problems or hazards.
The Heater is Damaged by Excessive Heat: One, or a combination of the following: low gas pressure, down-drafting, air supply, and venting. The pool heater may need a high wind stack, if installed near a vertical wall or windy area. Make sure that the heater is installed with proper clearances all around the outside. Pool Heaters can catch adjacent structures on fire, and pool heaters should not be located near windows, where carbon monoxide from the pool heater could be drawn into the house.
Rust Particles are showing up in the Poo l: Water Chemistry imbalance will deteriorate protective coatings on heater components and create rust. Usually the cast iron headers is where this occurs. Replace any damaged components and balance water chemistry. Be sure chemical feeders are installed after the heater with a check valve between them to prevent back flow of sanitized water which is highly corrosive.
The Heater makes a whistling noise : Low gas pressure can cause whistling in the burners. Check your Owner's Guide or contact your installer.
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. Gas invoices are usually billed by therms.
How can I save on fuel costs?
- Purchase an energy efficient heater model, contact Spa Tec to find out options available for your specific set up .
- Use a solar pool blanket or automatic cover on your swimming pool when 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.
- Keep the temperature at the lowest comfortable position. Each degree more heat than needed will add more to your monthly fuel cost and use up more energy than necessary.
- 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. 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.
- Wind is one of the largest heat thieves. Fences or shrubbery can reduce the effect that wind will have on pool heat loss.
Get a maintenance checkup annually. It’s your best ounce of prevention. Contact Spa Tec for a skilled technician to do the job. The cost is minimal and the service will keep your heater working efficiently for many years. Keep your heater clean and as dry as possible. Investing in a winter pool heater cover is also a good idea to keep out the elements.
|
|
|