Winter Cover for Heater

[Eilum]

The previous owner's old flimsy winter cover for the pool heater is all ripped and torn. I am ready to buy a regular bbq grill cover for the heater, as suggested by the pool store when I didnt want to shell out the $60+ for a "pool heater cover."

But I read that some people recommend not covering the heater at all because a cover will trap moisture in and that the equipment is meant to survive the elements.

What is the recommendation...to cover the heater or not?

And will a grill cover suffice?

Thanks

 

[kimkats]

No heater here but my gut says no cover for the very reasons you have heard. A cover holds in any condensation and can cause rust.If you insist on covering it I see no reason to not use a grill cover. Not much different between the two.

 

[Catanzaro]

I use a large blue tarp. Not pretty looking and do not tie the sides down. Then a few blocks are placed on top and this allows the unit to breathe as the cover flaps in the wind (a little). I have 3 sides being blocked by the home and trees. The top is raised by the intake/outtake area so there is never any damage. Where I purchased a heater, they are sending out a cover next month that supposedly breathes for this reason. You could find covers that do not trap moisture, but they will probably be very expensive.

The heater is actually plastic on the outside. The AC units are probably steel with pain on them, which could rust.

 

[AftonJeeper]

My old neighbor used to cover his AC unit until the mice moved in. I won't cover my pool heater or AC unit because of that mess.