Pool Gas Heater

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SarahNJ

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Jul 26, 2023
11
NJ
When we installed an inground 18x36 kidney shaped pool many years ago. The initial installation included a 300,000 BTU Pentair gas heater. X years later, the heater broke, we never fixed it and my husband took it off. Now we are in the market for a new gas heater. The company that made the initial installation, recommended Jandy JXI260NK. Another company said don't buy Jandy and go with Pentair Master 400K BTU. I'm totally lost and I would appreciate recommendations for an efficient, reliable, quite and if possible programmable with an app (not a must) gas heater. I'm also concerned that we previously had 300BTU and now someone recommended 400K, I'm not sure if that's safe using our current gas line.
Thank you in advance for your recommendations.
 
Welcome to TFP.
First, a 400k BTU will heat more quickly than the 300k BTU however, as you noted, can your natural gas line/meter support it. There is a tag on your meter that will indicate the maximum rating. Mine states 425. You can always ask the gas company to change out the meter, it may be small cost as they know they will then supply more gas to the house.

Either Jandy or Pentair are good brands. It really depends on personal preference and if you currently have any automation system. Most heaters will connect to any automation system as it is a simply on and off with adjustable temperature control. However some of the newer heaters have more automation connections. So define what automation system is set up now.

Also show a photo of your equipment pad and we can get a better idea. I assume you do not have a spa - it is just a pool.
 
Thank you very much for the quick response. Per your suggestion, I’m attaching pictures for your reference. Since I have no knowledge about pools, I don’t have any preference other than having a warm water, efficient, reliable gas heater. Please help.
 

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Post pics of your gas meter at your house showing all the data plates on it.

I don't see the gas pipes around your pool pad in your pic. It is important to know where the gas pipe is and what size it is and condition as changing that can be expensive.

The Jandy JXI or the Pentair MasterTemp are basically the same design. Either will work fine. The Pentair is easier to work on and Pentair is friendlier to DIY owner repairs. Get whichever heater either you or your local maintenance people can best support.
 
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I added additional pics. The gas line was inside the utility pool area but, since we stopped using the gas heater years ago, my husband took it out and closed off the gas line. My husband is pretty handy so he’s planning on installing the new heater. I guess the size also matters ans I would prefer a smaller unit but, that is still good.
There are several brands and models that I see over and over again but, I don’t know which brand and model is the best for our needs - Jandy, Pentair, Ray Pack or Hayward.
 

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If your husband is doing the installation then do Pentair MasterTemp or Raypak Avia.
 
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SarahNJ said:
I would appreciate recommendations for an efficient, reliable, quite and if possible programmable with an app (not a must) gas heater.
Click to expand...
Based on your photos, you have a time clock that controls the on/off of the pump. Your heater would connect to that as well and only work when the pump is running. It will not be wireless controlled unless you change out the time clock.

Also, still need to see a picture of the gas meter and the tag to confirm if it can handle the 400K BTU heater.
See the below as an example
Gas Meter Tag.jpg
 
HermanTX said:
Based on your photos, you have a time clock that controls the on/off of the pump. Your heater would connect to that as well and only work when the pump is running. It will not be wireless controlled unless you change out the time clock.

Also, still need to see a picture of the gas meter and the tag to confirm if it can handle the 400K BTU heater.
See the below as an example
View attachment 517839
Click to expand...
The inspector from the township said that I have no restriction on the BTUs, which is great news. Now, I just need to find the the most efficient gas pool heater. Please advise. Thank you.
 
SarahNJ said:
The inspector from the township said that I have no restriction on the BTUs, which is great news. Now, I just need to find the the most efficient gas pool heater. Please advise. Thank you.
Click to expand...

Post pics of your gas meter at your house showing all the data plates on it.

All the modern gas heaters have about the same 82% efficiency.
 
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SarahNJ said:
The inspector from the township said that I have no restriction on the BTUs, which is great news. Now, I just need to find the the most efficient gas pool heater. Please advise. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Is the gas line still at the equipment pad? How large is it? Was it capped after the old heater was removed? Need to have it pressure tested if not. They can get a lot of water in them over the years and can rust from the inside.
A Master Temp or Max-E-Therm (same heater different shell) would work well. Small footprint and have been out for over 20 years.
You will want to remove the tablet feeder when a new heater is installed. A SWG would be a better option.
 

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SarahNJ said:
Thank you. How is it different from HDF400?
Click to expand...

I have no idea what that is.

H400FDN is no longer listed on the Hayward website although it is still being sold.

Heaters

Heating swimming pools is a wise investment as it increases its value and extends the swimming season. So to graduate to a higher degree of comfort and control, choose a Hayward pool heater.
hayward.com hayward.com

www.homedepot.com

HAYWARD Universal H-Series Natural Gas 400,000 BTU Low NOx Pool Heater HPPW3H400FDN - The Home Depot

The Hayward Universal H-Series gas heater is one of the most energy-efficient Pool and Spa heating solutions on the market! Its ground-breaking hydraulic design reduces pump circulation run time, giving
www.homedepot.com

 
1poolman1 said:
Quick answer, it will destroy the heater unless the pump is run 24/7. I've seen it too many times. Won't install a new heater if there is one in the system unless it is removed.
Click to expand...
Isn't that what check valves are for? I have had a CL200 installed after my heater and a check valve since 1995 with no problems and I only run the pump about 10 hours a day.
 
rjb1211 said:
Isn't that what check valves are for? I have had a CL200 installed after my heater and a check valve since 1995 with no problems and I only run the pump about 10 hours a day.
Click to expand...

Check valves are not reliable and eventually begin leaking.

You will not know your CV is leaking until after the damage is done.
 
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rjb1211 said:
Isn't that what check valves are for? I have had a CL200 installed after my heater and a check valve since 1995 with no problems and I only run the pump about 10 hours a day.
Click to expand...
The other end of the spectrum, I did the install of a new heater in December, 2020 after getting permission to remove the tab feeder. Six months later the man that man that I did the work for asked me to go look at the system as the heater was leaking. Wasn't so much leaking as water was being pumped through the heat exchanger, into the tub (Sta-Rite Max-E-Therm) and out the blower. After the heater install the customer had someone come and reinstall the tab feeder.
Extreme case, yes as the continued use of tablets only in a fiberglass pool destroyed any hope of having proper pH and alkalinity. Have seen them damage new heaters in less than a year because even the new "chemical resistant" check valve that Rainbow (now Pentair) made failed and, as has been mentioned, you don't know until it is too late.
 
1poolman1 said:
The other end of the spectrum, I did the install of a new heater in December, 2020 after getting permission to remove the tab feeder. Six months later the man that man that I did the work for asked me to go look at the system as the heater was leaking. Wasn't so much leaking as water was being pumped through the heat exchanger, into the tub (Sta-Rite Max-E-Therm) and out the blower. After the heater install the customer had someone come and reinstall the tab feeder.
Extreme case, yes as the continued use of tablets only in a fiberglass pool destroyed any hope of having proper pH and alkalinity. Have seen them damage new heaters in less than a year because even the new "chemical resistant" check valve that Rainbow (now Pentair) made failed and, as has been mentioned, you don't know until it is too late.
Click to expand...
Since mine has been trouble free for 28 years I guess they don't make them like they used to (both the heaters and the check valves.)
 

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