Well-maintained heater extends swim season
by Doug Walsh
As the summer swimming season grinds to a close over the next few weeks, many poolowners will be looking at ways to extend that season as long as possible. Short of messing with Mother Nature, the obvious answer is to fire up the pool heater, warming the water to a comfortable swimming temperature.
Even if the heater was thoroughly checked out in the spring and operating effectively, summer's inactivity may well have left it in need of a fall overhaul. Regular use of the heater would ward off problems such as corrosion, windblown dirt and pest infestations, but yearround firing of the heater when warming the water isn't called for makes little sense from either an environmental or economic standpoint.
However, when it is left idle while the summer sun does its heating work on the water, the unit can become a potential home for ants, rodents, and spiders which can block electrical contacts or gas lines. This is especially true in areas that experience a large amount of rain followed by a hot summer.
For those service professionals lucky enough to have one of the new digitally operated, self-diagnostic models, most of the troubleshooting is as easy as pushing a few buttons on a keypad. In the event that a problem arises, the digital display easily points out the problem and the probable cause.
One manufacturer even likens its new digital unit to having a service technician built into every heater! But thousands of older-model heaters remain in service that still need problems diagnosed the old-fashioned way.
Before beginning any heater repair, be sure to take all necessary safety precautions. Start by verifying that the unit is turned off and disconnected from any source of electricity. This way, the heater cannot accidentally restart should the wrong wires touch during the trouble-shooting process. In addition, make certain that the unit is properly cooled down before touching hot components. Remember that this is a piece of equipment that generates a tremendous amount of energy, which can transfer over to the metal components and remain hot long after firing.
Veteran heater trouble-shooters know that the first place to look at when a heater is not firing properly is often not the heater itself. The culprits are far more likely to be dirty filters and restricted water gas flow.
If the filter is dirty, simply backwash and fire up. A blockage somewhere along the water system calls for a check for clearance in the main drain and skimmer, the pump lint pot, the pump impeller and the valves. Gas lines should be checked for obstructions from the source to the equipment.
And never overlook the obvious. The system may not be set to run for long enough cycles, which may just be a simple matter of resetting the time clock. Or the thermostat may need to be set higher. The basic, step-by-step trouble-shooting process could prove that a faulty thermostat or one that is out of adjustment is the cause. In that case, test the unit and replace the thermostat as needed. Analysis may uncover that the pressure switch is inoperative. Given a clean filter, test the switch and replace it if necessary.
Since service professionals should also heed some lawyerly advice: it is far better from a liability standpoint to replace faulty components rather than attempt to repair them. Tinkering with components may well violate the manufacturer's warranty and limit the manufacturer's liability.
Of course, if a component has failed, professionals in the field should try to pinpoint the reason for the failure. Otherwise, when the component is replaced, it may well fail again. If all systems appear to be functioning properly, the heater could well be just too small to do the job. In that case, consult a heater-sizing chart, and advise the customer that the unit should be up sized. If the heater is sized correctly, the fault could rest with an undersized gas system. Check the gas-pipe-sizing charts, and upsize the plumbing. Also, check the gas meter and the supply shut-off valve for proper sizing as well. Sometimes, it may be necessary to contact the local natural gas company to determine flow problems at the homeowner's supply source.
