"If the swimming pool heat pump is not maintaining 83 degrees and you know it's not working right, it could be the heat pumps. Just make sure to have it serviced by a qualified service technician," Peterson says.
Peterson has his own ideas on what the best heat pumps are for your swimming pool.
"I always recommend geothermal heat pumps. To me it is the simplest and the most economical to operate. It is the most maintenance-free system that's on the market today," Peterson says.
Here are a few problems you may have to address if you have a swimming pool: Oftentimes, a swimming pool heater will not ignite, and you will be left wondering what is going on. Peterson says check if the system switch is on. Look to see if the thermostat is up to temperature. Go through this list of questions: 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.
If your pilot will not light on your swimming pool heater, 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.
If your pool heater will not 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 inadequate gas supply. You may want to install a solar cover to slow heat loss.
If you need to frequently relight your pilot, a high wind stack may be needed due to heater location. Further troubleshooting will require a service technician.
If your swimming pool heater is leaking water, the heat exchanger may be leaking because of chemical or sanitizer damage. The damage may be from winter freeze - usually leaking upon spring start-up. Contact a qualified pool service technician.
If your pool heater appears to leak only when the burner is lit, this may be caused by condensation (occurring when heating very cold water), a missing or damaged bypass, or excessive water flow through the heater from an oversized pump.
Whatever your swimming pool heat problem is, you can always do some research online or call a professional. In the end, Peterson says, before you decide to have any repair work done, make sure and check out a company's references.
