Depending on where you live, you may or may not have a heat pump for your pool. For people who live in temperate climates, a pool heater is a great way to help keep your pool temperature stable and to keep the water warm, even during those fun nighttime swims. Many pool owners have a heat pump installed in their pool during the initial construction and these are a great way to keep your water comfortable at all times. However, heat pumps are not without their issues. It is highly frustrating to jump into what you think is a warm pool only to be shocked that it is ice cold.
Even the most well-maintained pump can have issues sometimes, and it is incredibly helpful for pool owners to have a basic understanding of the common issues that pool heater pumps may experience. Here, we will discuss the most common heater pump problems and how to address them. Many heater pump problems are fairly simple fixes, but sometimes, even our best efforts to troubleshoot cannot find the problem. When this is the case, it is time to call in a professional. But before you pick up the phone, let’s take a look at common heater pump issues.
Most Common Pool & Spa Heater Pump Problems
Low water flow
One of the most common issues with heater pumps is low water flow. If you notice issues with your heat pump, this is the first thing you will want to check. Most pool systems have some sort of flow meter which tells you what your current water flow is. If your flow is lower than it should be, you should check to make sure that all your valves are properly open.
If the valves are all open, you might be dealing with a clogged filter issue. Check the filter baskets and the filter itself to see if it is clogged or caked with debris. If so, you will want to clean your filter.
Loss of power
It is also common for heat pumps to lose power. Heat pumps can suck a lot of juice, which can cause a breaker to trip at your power source. If the breaker has been tripped, you can simply turn it back on. If this isn’t the issue, but there is still no power, you are probably dealing with a wiring issue. Unless you know what you are doing and can work on it safely, you will want to call an electrician to deal with this problem.
Condensation or leak
Pumps can and often will leak. This is the likely problem with your heat pump if you notice water around your pump. It might be difficult to tell the difference between natural condensation and a leak. A trick is to use a pool testing strip on the water in question. If you get readings, you know it is pool water, if not, you are dealing with condensation.
Condensation often happens due to a clogged pump. If this is your problem, you will want to check your pump and the lines to ensure that there is not a clog in the system. If the pump itself is leaking, you can try tightening all connections. Chances are though, you will need to call in a professional to fix your heat pump.
Freon pressure issues
Sometimes heat pumps experience what is called low freon pressure. This usually means that you have either a low or high-pressure error. Too low of freon pressure is often the result of trying to run the pump when it is too cold. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about this except to wait for the weather to warm up. When the pressure is too high, it often indicates a water flow issue, so you will want to check the filter and all the lines for clogs or debris build-up.
Evaporator coil blockage
Another common problem for pool heat pumps is issues with the evaporator coil. A heater pump essentially works by using a fan to draw warm air over a large evaporator coil. This causes a refrigerant (often freon) to heat up inside the coil and turn into gas. This is the initial start of the process of heating the water. A common problem is a reduction of the required airflow over the coil, which will reduce the efficiency of the heater, making it difficult or impossible for the heater to keep the water warm.
Over time, debris, leaves, twigs, dirt, and other things can get trapped in the heat pump and settle on the coil, blocking proper airflow. It is advised to check your evaporator coil to make sure there is no debris covering it and to remove anything you find.
Temperatures too cold
This might come as a surprise, but there is such a thing as too cold for a pool heat pump. When outside temperatures are below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the heat pump may not be able to run. The refrigerant used in heat pumps is close to freezing at these temperatures. This can cause frozen refrigerant to clog the pump which will keep it from running. Only try to run your heat pump when it is warmer than 50 degrees Fahrenheit outside.
Thermostat trouble
The heat pump needs to be set to a temperature higher than that of the outside air. This might seem like common sense, but if you are having issues, you should check to see what the heat pump is set at to make sure that it is above the current air temperature. It can also be helpful to use a different thermometer to manually test the water temperature to make sure that the water and the heater are in agreement. Thermostats can malfunction and they can “go bad” and stop working properly. Sometimes the fix is simply to replace your thermostat.
If All Else Fails, Call in a Pro (Maybe)
In most cases, you will be dealing with one of these problems and the solution is often one that you can handle yourself.
Whenever possible, we will show you how to manage your pool without the need for calling in expensive techs, but sometimes it is unavoidable. If you ever feel uncomfortable or think it might be something you can’t handle – don’t take any chances!
In the event of a wiring issue or a broken pump, unless you are an electrician or a pool tech, you probably shouldn’t try to fix it yourself and will want to call in a professional. If you have tried everything here and are still having problems, this too might be a time to call in the professionals.