It’s understandable to feel confused when faced with a bevy of options while shopping for a gas pool heater to complement your in-ground swimming pool, not to mention the jargon and figures accompanying them. However, How can you possibly make sense of this? How do you know you are selecting the best choice for your pool? It’s more straightforward than it seems; keep reading to find out why. Find out Hayward Pool Heater Ignition Failure.
Before you can even begin to understand pool heaters, there is some jargon you need to learn. BTU is the first. The BTU measures the heat (energy) required to increase the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. As soon as you know how much water weight your pool can contain, you can begin calculating how much heat is needed to bring the water to a desired temperature. Although it’s not typically spelled that way, this unit of measurement is generally expressed in BTU/h.
The concept of “efficiency” is the second one to learn. This metric is based on how efficiently energy (like natural gas or propane with gas pool heaters) is converted into heat in your pool water. If everything worked perfectly, all the gas would be turned into warmth, and efficiency would be 100%. Although ideal, real-world gas pool heater efficiencies range from the low 80s (the Hayward H-Series Millivolt heater, for example, is rated at 81%) to the high 90s (the Jandy Hi-E2 heater, for example, is rated at 95%).
Do you see what I mean? Let’s examine a heater and see how it works. Let’s check out the gas pool heaters from Jandy, the LXi series. There is typically a wide range of BTU inputs available for pool heaters. The input capacity of the Jandy LXi250N heater is 250,000 BTU/h, and the efficiency is 88%. This translates to an efficiency of 88%, with 88% of the gas burned to heat the pool. To determine which pool heater is ideal for your needs, divide 250,000 by 88% to get a number, such as 220,000 BTU.
In most cases, the costlier the pool heater, the greater its efficiency. Is it worth it if the efficiency boost comes at a more excellent price? It’s likely to happen in some situations but not others. For example, the Jandy Hi-E2 boasts a 95% efficiency rating, costing three times as much as a standard 84% to 88% model. It’s also well-made, but the price may need to be lowered for the ordinary pool owner. You may expect a cost of around $1,800 and an efficiency of about 85% for an “average” pool.
Buying one with a higher capacity (BTU output) is usually a good idea if you’re shopping for a heater. In most cases, a larger unit will use the same quantity of gas to heat the pool to the same temperature in a shorter amount of time. In addition, a larger heater requires less maintenance because it does less labor to get the same outcome as a smaller heater.
The unit’s “environmental friendliness” is still another consideration. Nitrous oxide (commonly abbreviated as NOx) emissions are capped at federal levels and in some US states. A “low NOx” pool heater is required in these areas. Don’t fret; you have several options, and the cost will hardly be affected by any of them. It would be best for everyone to use low-NOx pool heaters.
Pay close attention to the warranty terms as well. Sadly, technological failure is a reality, and the more complex the technology, the more likely it is that something will go wrong. However, for an extra fee, several pool heater manufacturers provide extended warranties that may help alleviate some of your fears. A “millivolt” version, which is the less advanced version, is also available. The only difference is that this heater lacks a fancy digital screen and button controls. Instead, there is a single knob for power and a push button to start the device. One further perk is that connecting this to the main electrical supply is unnecessary.
The ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) variant is also available; it upgrades several components, such as the heat exchanger and the manifold, but at a higher cost. While this provides a higher level of security, it comes at a higher price, and the complicated electronics in the non-millivolt variants remain the same and are the most likely to fail. Replacing a “control board” can solve many issues with pool heaters.
The pool’s chemical balance, including the levels of acid, alkalinity, salt, and chlorine, must be maintained by the guidelines provided by the pool heater manufacturer to claim the warranty. Anyone who doesn’t frequently test and adjust their pool water is asking for trouble, not just from heaters but also pumps, cleaners, and even pool ladders, as practically all pool equipment requires water chemistry within similar values.
The chemical composition of the water is crucial in preventing corrosion, the primary issue in a pool. Be sure the heater you buy is compatible with your pool’s chlorination system, as specific models are not advised for use with saltwater pools.
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