My heater isn’t kicking on: Common Austin troubleshoot steps

“A broken heater is a sad sight when you’re ready for a spa night. Let’s get it fired up.”

Pool heaters are complex machines. In Austin, they face unique challenges like high-calcium scaling inside the heat exchanger and spider webs clogging the gas orifices.

Expert Troubleshooting:

1. Check the Flow: Most heaters have a pressure switch. If your filter is dirty or the pump is on a low RPM, the heater won’t fire. Try cleaning your filter first.
2. Inspect the Gas Valve: Ensure your gas line is open. If you use propane, check your tank level!
3. The “Austin Pest” Problem: Spiders and wasps love the warm, sheltered internals of a pool heater. If you hear the heater clicking but it won’t ignite, a clogged orifice is a common culprit.

Austin Detail: Liquid limestone scaling is the “silent killer” of heaters in Central Texas. If you don’t keep your pH balanced, calcium will “plate out” inside the copper heat exchanger, eventually causing it to crack or lose efficiency.

Sent from my iPhone while cleaning a heater manifold in Northwest Hills.