K-Star Electric Pool/Spa Heater (2024)

FAQs

Why is my pool heater not heating enough? ›

You pool heater is potentially not heating enough due to the following reasons: Clogged or dirty filter. Faulty safety switch or gas valve. Thermostat set too low.

The electric heater pass water over the element, heats it, and exits the assembly housing warm and back into the pool or hot tub until the desired temperature is reached.

If your spa heater won't heat, remove and clean the filter(s) to rule out a pressure or flow rate problem. Low water level, a clogged pump impeller, closed valves, clogged pipes, or blocked spa drain covers can also cause flow issues.

So, how much electricity does a pool heat pump use? About 5 kilowatts per hour per 100,000 BTU heat pump. For a general 100,000 BTU pool heat pump, the power you`ll utilize is approximately 5,000 Watts per hour. Typically, the National average for power stands at 13 cents for every kilowatt-hour.

We do not recommend leaving a pool heater on overnight for most property owners, even ones with advanced solar heating systems. The massive power draw will negate any savings they gain from using solar cells and receiving renewable credits from the government.

How long Does it Take to Heat Your Pool. As a general rule of thumb, it can take anywhere from 8-48 hours to increase the temperature of an average size pool (around 15,000-20,000 gallons) by 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pool water temperatures typically range from 78ºF to 82ºF. The American Red Cross recommends a temperature of 78ºF for competitive swimming. This coincides with good fuel savings. However, this may be too cool for young children and the elderly, who may require a temperature of 80ºF or higher.

My hot tub isn't heating up properly

More often than not, there are two possible causes: a fault with the heater element or an issue with the water flow. The heater can fail for a few reasons, but one of the most common is when the water's pH is low, so the heater has been subject to corrosion.

How to tell if a spa heater is bad? ›

Test for voltage by using the amp meter, and use those test leads to measure the amp draw. If there is an excessive amp draw, that means that the heating element is in fact bad. If there is no draw from the amp, that means no power is reaching the terminals.

If you notice that the water stays cool even with the heater switched on, try checking the filter and the pressure gauge. If the pump runs, but the pressure metre reads zero or any value close to zero, you know there's something wrong. If the filter isn't the cause of the problem, it might be the heater's size.

Deciding whether to leave your electric or gas pool heater on or off overnight depends on your usages and plans. It is advisable to turn off the heater if you will be gone for a couple of days or if you only plan to swim during weekends.

Safety and Comfort

For example, Mayo Clinic suggests that younger children and the elderly will generally need warmer temperatures ranging from 84°F to 94°F, while a comfortable pool temperature for adults is 85°F to 89°F. If you are swimming for fitness, cooler temperatures of 78°F to 84°F are recommended.

Gas pool heaters are more popular, because they cost less to run than electric heaters. Additionally, they can heat the pool more quickly, allowing you to run them when you want to take a dip instead of all the time or hours before you're ready to swim.

The initial temperature of the water also plays a huge role in determining the amount of time it takes for the pool to heat up, completely: if the starting temperature of your swimming pool water is pretty low, it's going to take longer for the water to heat up.

You'll probably need to tune up your pool heater annually. Also, scaling in the burner or heat exchanger may decrease efficiency over a period of time.

The filter is a large cartridge that has the actual filtering material inside. As with the screen trap, the filter can clog up and block water flow.