servicing a gas pool or spa heater
What exactly is a Service on a pool or spa gas heater?
A service on a gas heater can be a minor service, or a major service. Servicing involves different things for different heaters. Each manufacturer defines this is a something different.
Annual Servicing generally involves: testing gas pressure, analysing combustion gases, inspection of bypass internals, general corrosion inspection, flame sensor cleaning, inspection of heat exchanger (where accessible), inspection of manifolds, checking for leaks.
Major Servicing involves: all of the above, along with new Hi-Limit Switches, Pressure Switch, Igniter, Flame Sensor, direct inspection of heat exchanger, and more.
Is a Service the same as a Repair?
A repair involves finding an actual fault with a heater. This is generally due to a part that has failed, or worn due to many factors. Repairs can involve a Service as well.
How Long Should a Gas Pool or Spa Heater Last?
Modern gas pool and spa heaters generally last anywhere from 5-10 years if cared for. Some last longer and some shorter. With the modern requirements for super-efficient, fan-forced combustion the lifespan of some heaters is not as long as some of the older heaters of the past.
Generally speaking, an atmospheric-burning heater will last longer than a fan-forced heater, but this comes at a cost of less efficiency in combustion.
Why does my heater have so many problems?
- There are several reasons for heaters to consistently have issues. Some of the reasons are below:
- Installation Problems - This can be due to incorrect gas pressure and flow, water chemistry issues and location. Many plumbers, and certainly "pool guys" do not know how a gas pool heater should be set up. One of the most common reasons for Warranty callouts is due to incorrect installation.
- Combustion Clearances - Heaters need a large area of clearance, as the suck in huge volumes of air, and expel huge volumes of combustion gases. All plants should be kept well away from a gas heater.
- Chemicals Stored Nearby - Pool & Spa chemicals should not be kept anywhere near a pool heater. Heaters suck in these vapours, shortening the lifespan of a heater.
- General Location - Salty Air, Moist Environments, etc can damage or shorten the lifespan of a heater.
- Vermin - rats, possums, spiders, lizards, ants and other creatures love to get in and damage equipment.
- High-efficiency Issues - Super-efficient gas heaters are far more complex than older atmospheric burning heaters. With this comes many more parts and tiny little variations. They must be tuned and checked very regularly.
- Water Quality - The absolute biggest killer of heaters is due to water quality, with low pH in particular. Low pH means the water is acidic. Common reasons for acidic water are the use of Bromine, Trichlor Tablets, and Dichlor Powder. Remember the stories of chlorine causing green hair? That's not because of chlorine, it's because of acidic water stripping the copper from a pool heater, and then it deposits into hair. Acidic water can destroy a heater in as little as a few months.