Gas Heater Recommendation... please

[JWB]

Hi... new pool owner here,

We moved into this house last year and inherited a 16 year-old Purex "Tropical Isle" heater. It's badly rusted and I don't dare use it for fear of what it might cost to run. So, I need to replace it. The pool is 16'x32', approximately 26,000 gallons. I'd probably like to be able to run it during weekends only... if that's feasible. Could someone recommend a size (btu) and some brands to consider? I'm in California.

Thanks,
Jon

[StoshJ]

We installed an IG pool in October. 16x30 with 7 foot attached spa. Installer put in a Raypack 399k BTU heater (RPKPR407AENC). My experience is this. When the spa is in the 80s, it heats up to 101 in about 15 minutes. In the winter (pool temp around 65), takes about 30-45 minutes. I only heated the pool once, from 78 - 86 and it took 5-6 hours with outside temps in the 80s (October). I'm in So Cal as well. Normal gas bill is around $20. Running the heater around 15+- hours put my gas bill around $80-90.

[JWB]

Hey thanks...

Did you run the heater during the entire month of October, or just those 15 or so hours?

[mwsmith2]

I've been told that the Sta Rite Max-E-Therm is one of the best ones out on the market. Supposed to be one of the most efficient ones out there. For your size pool, it looks like you'll need a 400K BTU heater. I've got a 355K BTU heater on a 20K pool, and I'm going to put the 400K on it.

Michal

[StoshJ]

Hey thanks...

Did you run the heater during the entire month of October, or just those 15 or so hours?

Just a total of around 15 hours. Should mention I also have Solar so that helps with raising the pool temp while heating. I was paranoid with getting a $200-300 heating bill, but again, running the spa about 2 times a week for about an hour or two only cost around $60-70. My neighbor has had a couple of $300 bills, but he has an older 300K BTU heater and no solar, and it takes him a full day to heat the pool. My solar keeps the pool about 10+ degrees hotter than his. Right now he's at 63 and I'm at 78 at the end of a 6 hour cycle with solar. Same size pool and sun exposure...

[scottturner]

I've been told that the Sta Rite Max-E-Therm is one of the best ones out on the market. Supposed to be one of the most efficient ones out there. For your size pool, it looks like you'll need a 400K BTU heater. I've got a 355K BTU heater on a 20K pool, and I'm going to put the 400K on it.

Michal

How are you figuring heater sizing. I have seen charts that have a pretty wide variance. I currently have pool with roughly 650 sqr ft surface area and 26,000 gallons. I am in Michigan and use a solar cover, I want to use the heater to just extend the pool season on each end a little bit. Your numbers look high from some of the charts that I have seen, but don't get me wrong, I am not saying you are incorrect. My quest is to just find out the most accurate size and not overbuy. Thanks for the help.

[mwsmith2]

Well, the price difference between a 350K btu and 400K btu is negligible. Most folks down here have that size range on their pools, and we're down in Houston, TX area. I'm not sure if it's possible for you to "overbuy" on a heater up there in Michigan!

Michael

[JWB]

A friend of mine recommended his Pentair MiniMax 400k. Any thoughts on that product?

[rmeden]

I have a MiniMax 400k BTU in a pool I had put in last year.

Not as efficient as I'd like.. (not sure if anything is). When running, the exhaust is *very* hot.... heat I'd rather be putting into the water! It's hot even when the water is at 70 degrees. (I can understand it hot when the spa is warm). I've even thought of putting a coil loop over the exhaust!

I'm also on my 3rd control board... Keep getting fan speed errors (E04).... I'm not sure how reliable it will be.

[Katy-Texas]

I also have a Pentair Minimax model HTR 400 NT TSI NH installed in spring 2005, ie less than 1 year old, so far it's failed 3 times with error message E04 on LED screen which may be same problem as JWB's.

Not happy with this unit, rest of Pentair kit works great.