A major consideration before purchasing a swimming pool heater is the life expectancy. A heat pump or pool heater doesn’t come cheap, so homeowners often want to know how long their investment will last. The good news is that a well-maintained system will be well worth your investment, so stay tuned and find out how long pool heaters last, how to extend their life expectancy, and more.
Average Life Expectancy of a Pool Heater
The lifespan of swimming pool heaters can vary pretty drastically based on their energy source, how frequently the heater is used, the strain you put on your heater, and how well its maintained. Several factors influence pool heater life expectancy, including:
Type of pool heater
There are a few types of pool heaters, which all have pros and cons. An important factor to look at between them is the lifespan.
Solar pool heaters
Solar pool equipment tends to have the longest life expectancy and lowest monthly cost to operate, but you will need a higher initial investment. While the money you save will make solar worth it in the long run, these pool heaters have the highest initial cost. In addition to that, your pool will lose heat at night because there’s no power being generated.
Gas pool heaters
Propane or natural gas pool heaters offer powerful, cost-effective heating but their lifespan is bit lacking. You can expect to get 10 years or so with a gas heater, giving it the shortest lifespan of the three.
Electric Pool Heaters
Electric pool heaters are quite effective but they can be expensive to run. Depending on the draw of electricity, you could have a noticable difference in your electric bill. Thankfully, newer models are more energy efficient and their lifespan is not lacking. Customers can expect to have their electric pool heater for 15-20 years with proper maintenance.
Maintenance Prevents Repairs
Proper maintenance plays a crucial role in keeping your pool heater healthy. After installing a new pool heater, it’s important to keep the components cleaned, maintained, and functioning with regular maintenance intervals.
Water Temperature Plays A Role
Raising the temperature of your pool water always strains the heat pump, but too much stress can affect how long your pool heater lasts. Expecting the system to constantly perform without rest will shorten the lifespan of your equipment and cause components to break.
Avoid Excess Calcium
Too much calcium can quickly turn into an issue for your swimming pool heater, causing deposits inside your equipment and lowering the effectiveness of heat exchangers. Draining and replacing some or all of the pool water is the best way to lower calcium levels (water hardness), but you can also purchase a calcium hardness reducer.
Check Your Connections
Check all the components of your pool heater to ensure everything’s tight, secure, and no leaks are present. The severity of a loose connection varies based on the type of system you have, but it can be detrimental to any pool heater. Loose gas valves or electrical connections can further strain the system, cause a short, or even lead to gas inhalation.
Remove Debris Build Up
Removing debris is an important part of pool heater maintenance. Periodically, remove the heat exchanger from the heater and clear any debris that has accumulated. While the heat exchanger is disassembled, check the electrical connections, wiring, mounting hardware, and clear any corrosion with a wire brush.
How Long Does A Pool Heater Last?
The average life of a pool heater is between 15 and 25 years with regular usage and proper maintenance, but there are various factors that impact that projection. To make your pool heat pump last as long as possible, stick to proper usage and emphasize maintaining the system. If pool maintenance isn’t your thing, call Blue Utopia Pools for timely, affordable maintenance and repairs.
Can I leave my pool heater on all the time?
Modern heat pump systems have a built-in temperature controller, which keeps the system at your desired temperature and prevents the heat pump from overheating. However, in most cases, you will want to turn off the pool heater shortly before the pool pump becomes inactive. This prevents wasted electricity and gas while ensuring the heat exchanger has plenty of time to rest.
Do pool heaters require maintenance?
Just like the pool pump or any other piece of swimming pool equipment, the heat pump requires regular maintenance and care. Properly maintaining the heat pump and ensuring adequate water flow will directly impact how long your equipment lasts.
How much does a new pool heater cost?
If you’re looking for a new heat pump or a repair can’t be made on your current one, contact Blue Utopia to see how much it would cost to have our experts replace it! Our experts have unmatched experience with pool heater service and repair, removing the worry and headache from your experience. Call today and let our professionals quote a new unit for your home.