How To Prevent Pool Heater Failure
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Pool heater failure - especially an early pool heater failure is something you definitely want to avoid as a pool owner. Pool heaters are generally the most expensive single component on the equipment pad so you definitely want yours to last as long as possible. So what can you do to help get the maximum service life from your heater? Quite a bit actually! Your pool heater would benefit from both regular service and maintenance as well as proper chemical balancing and management in your water. In fact poor water chemistry is the number one cause for early pool heater failure so it will pay dividends to you to invest in your understanding of how to balance your pool water. If you want a great resource to help you learn water chemistry for you pool check out the Swimming Pool Steve Pool Chemistry Crash Course page.
Chemical conditions that damage pool heaters - Of primary importance to the longevity of your pool heater will be to not let the pH get low in your pool. 7.2 to 7.8 is the acceptable pH range that be aim for in swimming pools. Letting your pH fall below these levels means the water is too acidic and can begin to damage some of the metals inside of your heater. Excessively low pH like that below 6.0 is extremely hard on heater internals and signifcant damage can happen in even a short period of time. Think days not weeks, months or years. Another common chemical problem that you will want to avoid in your pool is high sanitizer levels. Generally pools are safe up to 5ppm of chlorine for swimming, and chlorine levels in excess of this can be hard on your heater. There are some times when you must increase your chlorine levels above and beyond this and for this reason it would be a good idea to have a heater bypass installed in your plumbing system such that you can temporarily take the heater offline and avoid exposing it to high sanitizer levels during periods of time you are superchlorinating or performing breakpoint chlorination in your pool. For more infomration about pool heater bypasses you can read this page: pool heater bypass - do you need one for your heater?
Spring cleaning - Pool heaters (propane and natural gas heaters) rely on a fuel to air mixture ratio to ensure clean burning and avoiding soot buildup. When (if) your heater gets dirty from soot, leaves, rodent nests or spider webs, your fuel to air mixture will be less than optimal. This will promote more soot development and will further contribute to poor efficiency when burning fuels. A regular spring cleaning service from a gas technician would be a great idea for the longevity of your pool heater.
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Swimming Pool Steve is an award winning, second generation swimming pool specialist from Ontario Canada and one of the most trusted voices in the swimming pool industry. With over 20,000,000 views on the Swimming Pool Steve YouTube Channel, winner of the Pleatco Pool & Spa Industry Leadership award and author of hundreds of pool and spa articles both online and in print. Steve is committed to helping pool and spa owners as well as pool and spa industry workers learn more about the technical side of building, renovating, repairing and maintaining all types of swimming pools and spas. Follow Swimming Pool Steve on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
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The Swimming Pool Steve Pool Survival Guide is intended to help pool owners understand their pool and pool equipment better, understand water chemistry, water testing and chemical corrections to the water, troubleshoot the most common pool problems and have confidence in interacting and caring for their pool in the fastest possible frame of time. Also covers pool safety, things to avoid and how to operate your pool more efficiently.
Salt Water Recommendations
Are you considering upgrading to salt water in your pool? In this paid PDF Steve talks about which pools should avoid using salt water. Find out concerns about using salt in your pool but also the potential benefits of salt water. Finally hear which specific brand and model of salt chlorine generator Steve thinks is the best option currently available to pool owners and how to choose the right size salt system for your pool.
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In this guide Swimming Pool Steve will help you to better understand your heater options as well as which would be best suited for your pool. Learn about BTU output and sizing of both gas/propane heaters as well as electric heat pumps for residential swimming pools. You will also learn about which specific brands and models of currently available pool heaters Steve likes to recommend. If you are thinking of adding a new pool heater to your equipment pad this buyer's guide would be a useful resource to help you make a more informed buying decision.
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www.PoolPartsToGo.com
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