Pool Heater Chemical Damage
Heat pump pool heaters are a great way to improve comfort and extend
your swimming season.
But improper installation and plumbing failure can shorten the life of
the heater. Good performance and long, efficient heater life begins with proper
installation of the equipment. Do-it-yourselfers can err on the details of an
installation, and mistakes with a heat pump pool heater can cost you more money
than you lose. Heat pump pool heaters should be respected and installed by
someone who knows what they are doing. Installation and maintenance of heat
pump water heaters is a profession that requires training and experience.
However, even a perfectly installed heater can be damaged by poor water
chemistry. Water imbalances are the cause of pool heater leaks and
malfunctions; chief among them is low pH! Anytime the pH gets low - which means
your water has gone from fairly neutral to acidic - it starts to eat away at
the copper tube bundles in the heat exchanger. Eventually it will cause
pinholes in the copper and then leak inside the heater, eventually destroying
it.
Low pH makes chlorine more aggressive. Your water may look clear, but low
pH levels can only be detected with proper water testing. Other issues include
high chlorine levels, high TDS and salt, and high calcium. These conditions can
also wreak havoc on the heater.
Swimming pools that fail to follow basic water care will have problems
with clogged heaters and leaks. Good water chemistry is critical to the
longevity of the heater.
If you have other problems with your pool heat pump, please contact us.