Hey all- I closed down the pool this week and wondering if I should cover the pool heater to protect it from falling leaves/debris getting inside of it, and inclement weather (such as snow) when not in use during the winter? If so, any cover recommendations? Thanks!
Heater cover during winter?
- Thread starter Sidemoves
- Start date
My HVAC guy was adamant that they all needed to breathe but also to not be too hospitable to creatures. If you seal it all up, you just shielded the mouse family from the elements. Great for them, sucky for you. Lol. So he reccomended covering the top to keep snow and debris out, but leaving the sides open. Some/most gas heaters have solid tops and wouldn't need anything. My HP was all grate on the top so I covered that with plastic drop cloth like stuff. Anything would work, including a good piece of an old old tarp, or plastic sheeting from the paint aisle at HD. I folded mine to overhang a couple inches and wrapped it with tape at the top of the sides.
InyoRich
In The Industry
- Oct 18, 2023
- 140
- Pool Size
- 9000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pureline Crystal Pure 40,000
What Newdude said - 110%! Do you have a Harbor Freight tool store nearby? They usually have pretty inexpensive tarps and bungee cords and they ALWAYS have coupons! Cover the very top down to the controls and, if you find that the wind blows too much snow from one side or the other, wrap up the one side that the snow accumulates on as well. Before you cover it up, open it up and check to be sure there are no openings large enough for critters to use your heater as their winter home and you should be perfect when springtime arrives.
- Jul 4, 2012
- 801
- Pool Size
- 21000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
In the past I've just put a spare piece of plywood over the top since there are some open grates.
Mice can absolutely destroy heaters so you don't want to make it too inviting. I had it happen 2 winters ago but turns out the burner tray and everything else was completely rusted so it was time for a new one anyway. Lesson learned - I now put mouse traps in the heater as part of winterizing. Last fall the traps caught about 5 mice in 7 days, but none after that.
Mice can absolutely destroy heaters so you don't want to make it too inviting. I had it happen 2 winters ago but turns out the burner tray and everything else was completely rusted so it was time for a new one anyway. Lesson learned - I now put mouse traps in the heater as part of winterizing. Last fall the traps caught about 5 mice in 7 days, but none after that.
How’d I do? See pics
