Should I fix my pool heater or buy a new one?

Repair it when the fault is a single part and the heat exchanger is sound, and replace it when the heat exchanger is scaled or corroded, the repairs are repeating, or the cost of the repair approaches a large share of a new heater. Which side you are on is decided by what the technician finds, so ask for the diagnosis in writing before you decide.

Repair if the fault is a part

Most no-heat faults are components. Raypak's troubleshooting chart lists replacing a pressure switch, thermostat, high limit, pilot generator, PC board or gas valve as the fixes for the faults it covers.^[1] These are routine repairs on a heater that is otherwise sound. A heater that only cycles on and off because of a dirty filter, a low pool water level or a switch out of adjustment needs no parts at all; Raypak lists those among the causes.^[1]

Read what a technician checks when a pool heater will not fire to see what a diagnosis covers, and how much a pool heater repair visit costs for what to ask in a quote.

Replace if the heat exchanger has failed

The heat exchanger is where repair stops making sense. 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] Scale can sometimes be cleaned; Raypak's chart for low flow from scale says to clean the heat exchanger and check pool pH and total alkalinity.^[1] Corrosion cannot be undone. Raypak says that if the pH drops below 7.2, this will cause corrosion of the heat exchanger and severely damage the heater,^[1] and that free chlorine above 5 ppm can damage the heater.^[1]

The warranty matters here. Raypak states that heat exchanger damage resulting from chemical imbalance is not covered by the warranty.^[1] If your heater failed for that reason, a new one will fail the same way unless the water is kept balanced.

Other signs it is time

• The same fault comes back after a repair, or each visit finds a different failed part.
• The quote for a new heat exchanger, or for several parts at once, is a large part of a new heater's price.
• The heater has been run in cold water or left unprotected in freezing 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]
• The heater is the wrong size, or you want a different type, such as an electric heat pump heater.

A new gas heater is a larger job than a repair: gas piping, venting, bonding and electrical connections all have to be right. Raypak says its gas heater must be installed by a qualified installer, service agency or the gas supplier.^[1] Virginia's building code permit rule covers installations or alterations involving fuel supply systems, mechanical systems or electric wiring.^[2] Ask the business whether a replacement needs a permit and to say so in the quote.

Deciding with quotes in hand

DPOR advises getting at least three written bids or estimates using identical plans and specifications so you can compare prices and contractors.^[5] Ask for a repair quote and a replacement quote for the same heater location, each naming the model, parts, warranty and permit. 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] For a heater that is only part of a bigger pool equipment problem, is it worth fixing a pool pump motor works through the same question for the pump.

When to call a licensed pro

For both the repair and the replacement. 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 before you pay a deposit.

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To get a repair or replacement quote for your own heater, describe the pool heater job and licensed local businesses reply.