How much does a pool heater repair visit cost in Virginia?

What drives the price

Diagnosis. The first charge is the time to find the fault. A heater that will not fire can have a flow problem, a tripped safety switch, no spark, a blocked pilot or a failed gas valve, and the order a technician works in is described in what a technician checks when a pool heater will not fire. Ask whether the diagnostic fee is credited if you go ahead with the repair.

Which part failed. Raypak's troubleshooting chart lists parts for replacement that range from a pressure switch, thermostat or high limit to a pilot generator, PC board or gas valve.^[1] They are not the same price, and a part for an older model may need ordering. Ask for the part named on the quote and its warranty.

Whether the cause is outside the heater. Raypak lists a dirty filter, low pool water level, an external bypass out of adjustment and a pressure switch out of adjustment among the reasons a heater cycles on and off continuously.^[1] Cleaning the filter or raising the water level is cheaper than a part, and a good technician rules these out first.

The heat exchanger. This is the expensive component. Raypak says that if the mineral content and dissolved solids in the water become too high, scale forms inside the heat exchanger tubes, reducing heater efficiency and damaging the heater.^[1] It also says that if the pH drops below 7.2, this will cause corrosion of the heat exchanger and severely damage the heater.^[1] Raypak states that heat exchanger damage resulting from chemical imbalance is not covered by the warranty,^[1] so a repair that traces back to water chemistry usually comes out of your pocket even on a young heater.

Cold weather. Raypak says prolonged operation with water temperatures below 50°F can seriously damage the heater and is not covered by the warranty, and that the heater is not warranted against freeze-ups.^[1] In Virginia, where pools are opened and closed with the seasons, an opening-season visit for a heater that was not winterized properly can be a larger job.

Gas and permit. Work on gas supply and mechanical equipment follows Virginia's building code, whose permit rule covers installations or alterations involving fuel supply systems, mechanical systems or electric wiring.^[2] Whether a like-for-like repair needs a permit is for your building department to say. Ask whether any permit fee is in the quote.

Timing and access. Spring opening is the busiest time, and a heater in a tight enclosure or a long way from the shut-offs takes longer.

What to get in writing

DPOR advises getting at least three written bids or estimates using identical plans and specifications so you can compare prices and contractors,^[5] and warns that a bid substantially lower than the others probably signals a problem.^[5] For a repair visit, ask each business to put in writing:

• the diagnosis, and exactly which part is being replaced or adjusted
• the make, model and part number, and the parts and labor warranty
• the service-call or diagnostic fee, and whether it is credited if you go ahead
• whether the pressure switch, flow and gas supply checks are included
• whether a permit and inspection are included, if one applies
• the business's DPOR licence number and class

DPOR's guide says a good rule of thumb is an initial deposit of no more than 10% of the total price or $1,000, whichever is less.^[5] A repair visit rarely needs more than that, so be cautious about a large deposit.

When to call a licensed pro

For the repair itself. In Virginia no individual may engage in work as a liquefied petroleum gas fitter or natural gas fitter provider unless licensed under the same article of the Code.^[4] The definition of a liquefied petroleum gas fitter excludes hot water heaters, boilers and central heating systems, which require a heating, ventilation and air conditioning or plumbing certification.^[3] Ask the business which DPOR licence it holds for your heater. DPOR also says that if the work is valued at $1,000 or more, a valid Virginia contractor's licence is required for the licence category in which the contractor is to work.^[5] Check the licence in DPOR's lookup before you agree to a price.

If the quote is climbing, read should I fix my pool heater or buy a new one. For a comparable price page, see how much pool pump repair costs in Virginia. You can also browse pool and spa equipment answers or find pool and spa businesses.

To get prices for your own heater, describe the pool heater job and licensed local businesses quote it.