Tips to Keep Your Pool Heater in Good Condition

Taking an early morning or a late night swim in a warm-water pool is the perfect exercise for both your body and mind and has been used for therapeutic and physical therapy worldwide. So rather, you live in a cold northern climate or a warm southern one installing a pool heater can benefit you in several ways including health benefits.

Once you install your pool heater, and maintain proper maintenance, you can extend the length of your swimming season, in some cases by months. However, the amount and type of maintenance will depend entirely upon the type of heater you own.

The most common of pool heaters are gas heaters, which can be either natural gas or propane tanks. Insects do have a tendency to get inside gas heaters therefore, it is recommended that you regularly clean any and all debris from the heater to prevent it from clogging the burner openings. To clean your gas heaters you use a brush or vacuum.

Other maintenance includes regularly checking your gas supply, as well as checking all pipes for any leaks. The easily way to detect for leaks is to use a soap solution. You can prepare this by adding liquid dish soap and warm water in the spray bottle then carefully spray the solution on the pipe joints and look for any bubbles to form on the pipes surface. If any bubbles appear then immediately, have your pipes repaired. Do not use your heater until the pipes have been repaired or replaced by an authorized plumber.

Electrical pool heaters are the next type of heaters, which are gaining in popularity. They heat your pool with the help of heating elements, which can become coated with particular minerals that may be present in the atmosphere, which can hamper the units heating efficiency. To clean the heating unit, simple use a wire brush to clean the elements. However, be careful that you do not damage the elements. If the elements do become damaged, then the elements will have to be replaced. If you replace the element yourself, then take the old element with you to the store to ensure that you purchase the correct element.

Do not use your heater until the damaged element has been replaced. Turn off the power supply to the heater to avoid any injuries. Operating the heater with a damaged element could be hazardous and even fatal. The damaged element can inadvertently transmit current into the swimming pool. When replacing the element, open up the drainpipe and allow the water to drain. Replace the old element, with a new one, and then test the heater by filling water in the pool so that the heater can work at its full efficiency.

To enhance the performance of your swimming pool heaters you can install a time setting system. This increased the efficiency of the heater by maintaining the temperature of the water. Remember, routine preventive maintenance will increase the life of any swimming pool heater you choose.