Who says you must hang up your swimming goggles as the mercury takes a nose dive? With a pool heater in your arsenal, you can extend your swimming season well into the frosty months or even enjoy warmer water over the spring and summer.
I’ve received numerous questions about how to turn on specific models of pool heaters so I decide to answer the question of “How to turn on a pool heater” in this guide. All major pool heater brands and popular models are covered below.
Turning on Different Types of Pool Heaters
Before we get into specific models, look at this quick guide for the pool heater type you have for basic On/Off instructions.
| Heater | Steps to Turn On |
|---|---|
| Gas Pool Heater | 1. Ensure that the gas supply is turned on. 2. Turn the heater’s thermostat to the lowest setting. 3. Switch the heater on. 4. Gradually increase the temperature setting to your desired level. |
| Electric Pool Heater | 1. Ensure the solar panels are clean and the valves are open. 2. Turn the system on. 3. The water should start circulating through the solar panels, heating up. |
| Solar Pool Heater | 1. Ensure the solar panels are clean and the valves are open. 2. Turn the system on. 3. The water should start circulating through the solar panels, heating up. |
How To Turn On Hayward Pool Heaters
Hayward is a household name in the pool heating industry, known for their efficient and innovative designs. Look at this compare chart for your model to determine the steps to turn each on.
| Hayward Model | Type of Heater | Steps to Turn On |
|---|---|---|
| H Series | Natural Gas | 1. Locate the ‘Mode’ switch on the front panel. 2. Set it to ‘Pool’ or ‘Spa’. 3. Adjust the ‘Temperature Set’ knob to your desired level. Typically associated with the LO code |
| HP21404T | Heat Pump | 1. Locate the control panel on the front. 2. Press the ‘Power’ button. 3. Set your desired temperature with the ‘Temp Set’ buttons. 4. Press ‘Mode’ to activate the heating function. |
| W3H150FDP | Propane | 1. Turn the ‘On/Off’ switch on the front panel to ‘On’. 2. Set your desired temperature using the thermostat dial. |
| H250FDN | Natural Gas | 1. Locate the ‘Mode’ switch on the front panel. 2. Set it to ‘Pool’ or ‘Spa’. 3. Adjust the ‘Temperature Set’ knob to your desired level. |
| W3HP21004T | Heat Pump | 1. Locate the control panel on the front. 2. Press the ‘Power’ button. 3. Set your desired temperature with the ‘Temp Set’ buttons. 4. Press ‘Mode’ to activate the heating function. |
| W3H400FDN | Natural Gas | 1. Locate the ‘Mode’ switch on the front panel. 2. Set it to ‘Pool’ or ‘Spa’. 3. Adjust the ‘Temperature Set’ knob to your desired level. |
| HP50TA | Heat Pump | 1. Locate the control panel. 2. Press the ‘Power’ button. 3. Adjust your desired temperature with the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ buttons. 4. Press ‘Mode’ to start the heating function. |
| W3H250FDP | Propane | 1. Turn the ‘On/Off’ switch on the control panel to ‘On’. 2. Use the thermostat dial to set your desired temperature. |
| H200FDN | Natural Gas | 1. Locate the ‘Mode’ switch on the front panel. 2. Set it to ‘Pool’ or ‘Spa’. 3. Adjust the ‘Temperature Set’ knob to your liking. |
| W3HP21104T | Heat Pump | 1. Locate the control panel. 2. Press the ‘Power’ button. 3. Set your desired temperature with the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ buttons. 4. Press ‘Mode’ to activate the heating function. |
How To Turn On Raypak Pool Heaters
Raypak is another industry leader in pool heaters, known for their robust and efficient models. Here, we’ll explore their top 10 models and give you a step-by-step guide on how to turn them on.
| Raypak Model | Type of Heater | Steps to Turn On |
|---|---|---|
| PR266AEN | Natural Gas | 1. Locate the control knob on the front panel. 2. Turn it to ‘On’. 3. Adjust the temperature setting using the digital control panel. |
| PR156AENC | Electric | 1. Find the control knob and switch it to ‘On’. 2. Set your desired temperature on the digital control panel. |
| 014784 | Natural Gas | 1. Turn the control knob on the front panel to ‘On’. 2. Adjust the temperature setting via the digital control panel. |
| P-R406A | Propane | 1. Locate the control knob and turn it to ‘On’. 2. Use the digital control panel to set your desired temperature. |
| 009217 | Electric | 1. Find the control knob and switch it to ‘On’. 2. Adjust your preferred temperature on the digital control panel. |
| P-M336A | Natural Gas | 1. Locate the control knob and turn it to ‘On’. 2. Adjust the temperature setting via the digital control panel. |
| PR336AEN | Natural Gas | 1. Find the control knob and switch it to ‘On’. 2. Set your desired temperature on the digital control panel. |
| P-R266A | Natural Gas | 1. Locate the control knob and turn it to ‘On’. 2. Use the digital control panel to set your desired temperature. |
| P-M406A | Propane | 1. Find the control knob and switch it to ‘On’. 2. Adjust your preferred temperature on the digital control panel. |
| PR206AEN | Natural Gas | 1. Locate the control knob and turn it to ‘On’. 2. Adjust the temperature setting via the digital control panel. |
How To Turn on Jandy Pool Heaters
Jandy is another brand of pool heaters, not as popular as Hayward but these are quality heaters and I’ve included the setup instructions for Jandy models below:
| Jandy Model | Type of Heater | Steps to Turn On |
|---|---|---|
| JXi 400 | Natural Gas | 1. Locate the ‘Mode’ switch on the front panel. 2. Turn it to ‘On’. 3. Set your desired temperature with the ‘Temp Set’ buttons. |
| LRZ 325EN | Natural Gas | 1. Find the control knob and switch it to ‘On’. 2. Adjust your preferred temperature on the digital control panel. |
| LXi 400N | Natural Gas | 1. Locate the ‘Mode’ switch on the front panel. 2. Turn it to ‘On’. 3. Set your desired temperature with the ‘Temp Set’ buttons. |
| Legacy LRZ250EN | Natural Gas | 1. Find the control knob and switch it to ‘On’. 2. Adjust your preferred temperature on the digital control panel. |
| LXi 250N | Natural Gas | 1. Locate the ‘Mode’ switch on the front panel. 2. Turn it to ‘On’. 3. Set your desired temperature with the ‘Temp Set’ buttons. |
How To Turn on Pentair Pool Heaters
I like Pentair pool heaters. If I can’t get a Hayward for a job I’m installing then I usually go with a Pentair model. Here is how to turn on Pentair heaters:
| Pentair Model | Type of Heater | Steps to Turn On |
|---|---|---|
| MasterTemp 400 | Natural Gas | 1. Locate the control panel on the front. 2. Turn the ‘Mode’ switch to ‘On’. 3. Set your desired temperature with the ‘Temp Set’ buttons. |
| UltraTemp 140 | Heat Pump | 1. Find the control panel. 2. Press the ‘Power’ button. 3. Set your desired temperature with the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ buttons. 4. Press ‘Mode’ to start the heating function. |
| Max-E-Therm 400 | Natural Gas | 1. Locate the control panel on the front. 2. Turn the ‘Mode’ switch to ‘On’. 3. Set your desired temperature with the ‘Temp Set’ buttons. |
| ThermoFlo II | Heat Pump | 1. Find the control panel. 2. Press the ‘Power’ button. 3. Set your desired temperature with the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ buttons. 4. Press ‘Mode’ to start the heating function. |
| MasterTemp 125 | Natural Gas | 1. Locate the control panel on the front. 2. Turn the ‘Mode’ switch to ‘On’. 3. Set your desired temperature with the ‘Temp Set’ buttons. |
How To Turn on EcoSmart Pool Heaters
EcoSmart pool heaters are revered for their energy efficiency and ease of use. They offer an intuitive digital interface that makes temperature control a breeze, contributing to their popularity among homeowners looking for a practical and eco-friendly pool heating solution.
| EcoSmart Model | Type of Heater | Steps to Turn On |
|---|---|---|
| SMART POOL 18 | Electric | 1. Find the control panel. 2. Press the ‘Power’ button. 3. Set your desired temperature with the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ buttons. 4. Press ‘Mode’ to start the heating function. |
| SMART POOL 27 | Electric | 1. Locate the control panel. 2. Press the ‘Power’ button. 3. Adjust your preferred temperature with the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ buttons. 4. Press ‘Mode’ to start the heating function. |
| ECO 11 | Electric | 1. Find the control panel. 2. Press the ‘Power’ button. 3. Set your desired temperature with the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ buttons. 4. Press ‘Mode’ to start the heating function. |
| ECO 18 | Electric | 1. Locate the control panel. 2. Press the ‘Power’ button. 3. Adjust your preferred temperature with the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ buttons. 4. Press ‘Mode’ to start the heating function. |
| ECO 27 | Electric | 1. Find the control panel. 2. Press the ‘Power’ button. 3. Set your desired temperature with the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ buttons. 4. Press ‘Mode’ to start the heating function. |
FAQ’s
How long does it take for a pool heater to heat up the pool?
It typically takes between 24 to 72 hours, depending on the size of the pool and the type of heater.
Is it expensive to run a pool heater?
Running a pool heater can be costly, especially gas heaters. However, energy-efficient options like solar and electric heaters can help save on energy costs.
Can I leave my pool heater on overnight?
Yes, you can. However, it’s more energy-efficient to turn it off when the pool is not in use.
How often should I service my pool heater?
It’s recommended to service your pool heater at least once a year to ensure it’s in good working condition.
Should I cover my pool when the heater is on?
Yes, covering your pool can help retain heat, reducing the workload for your heater.
