How to Troubleshoot Swimming Pool Heaters
- 1). Check your pool heater's power source. If the gas or electric power is not flowing to the pool heater, it will not work. Check your main electrical power panel for the breaker dedicated to the pool heater to see if it has tripped, or your gas tank to make sure fuel is flowing to the heater.
- 2). Inspect the pool heater's burner intake ports for obstructions. Look for dirt buildup, insects and vegetation growth over and around the burner intake ports. If any of these are present, remove them immediately. Also, check the burners themselves for any corrosion or fraying. Should you find these conditions, replace the burners.
- 3). Look at the pool heater's fan and fan motor. Turn the temperature up to cycle the pool heater on and observe the fan. If the blades are obstructed, remove the obstruction. If you hear only a hum or buzz but the fan does not turn and nothing is blocking the fan blades, the motor is probably bad and needs to be replaced.
- 4). Clean your pool filter. All pool heaters need a steady flow of water arriving from the pool filter to operate properly. Without this water flow, the pool heater cannot accurately measure the pool's temperature and may run continuously or cycle often to compensate for the poor reading. In addition, make sure your pool skimmer is clean and not obstructed.
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