Repairing a pool heater costs $473 on average, but ranges between $166 and $791 depending on the type of heater.
Taking a dive with the Polar Bear Club was never your idea of a good time—that’s why you’ve relied on your trusty pool heater to keep the water nice and toasty. Unfortunately, pool heaters tend to malfunction over time, but this doesn’t mean you have to replace them. Repairing a pool heater costs about $473 on average, though it can range between $166 and $791. Check to see if your unit is still under the manufacturer’s warranty. If it’s not, here’s how much you could pay for repairs.
You may be able to diagnose pool heater issues by troubleshooting or checking error codes where applicable. Unfortunately, though, some problems aren’t fixable and will require you to invest in the cost of a replacement heater. If you’re stumped or just not comfortable working on things yourself, it’s wise to bring in a pro. Here’s a breakdown of what you might pay.
The type of pool heater greatly affects the costs of repair. Electric pool heater costs are typically the highest, though costs vary. In general, you can expect to pay the most for electric pool heater repairs and the least for solar, with natural gas heaters falling somewhere in between.
| Pool Heater Type | Repair Cost Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | $200–$1,200 | Great for consistent heating, slow to come to temp |
| Natural gas | $150–$750 | Faster heating, less costly repair |
| Solar | $50–$400 | Easiest maintenance and repair, slower heating |
Maintaining and repairing saltwater pool heaters can cost up to 50 percent more than chlorine pool heaters. A saltwater pool requires a saltwater-specific heater with corrosion-resistant parts. A non-saltwater heater installed in a saltwater pool will break down more often and may require replacement fairly quickly because of accumulated damage.
| Pool Type | Repair Costs |
|---|---|
| Saltwater | $500–$1,500 |
| Chlorine | $165–$790 |
Hiring a professional to handle pool heater repairs can cost an average of $80 to $120 per hour. Diagnosing issues on your own can be tricky, so it’s often worthwhile to seek out the knowledge of a pro.
Replacement parts can cost anywhere from $20 to $600. The necessary parts (and prices) will vary based on the type of pool heater, as well as its make and model.
Read through the heater’s warranty because the services and labor covered can vary.
| Heater Type | Average Warranty in Years |
|---|---|
| Electric | 1–10 |
| Solar | 5–12 |
| Gas | 2–5 |
On average, it costs $2,800 to replace a pool heater. However, the heater type, pool size, and climate all impact the final price. Installation expenses are lower for electric and gas heaters versus heat pumps and solar panels, which can cost several thousand dollars. You may also need to factor in the pool heater’s predicted life span:
Gas heaters: 5 years
Electric heaters: 5–10 years
Solar heaters: 20–25 years
Consider replacing the heater when yearly maintenance and repairs reach 50% of the cost of installing a new unit.
Your electric heat pump will often display error codes to tell you what’s failing. You can also troubleshoot certain problems with your electric heat pump yourself. Here’s what to do first:
Ensure all valves are open and the water flow is sufficient
Make sure the filter is clean
Check electrical connections and see if the breaker got tripped
Look around the heat pump for blockages around the coil, such as dirt, leaves, and debris
For other issues, replacement parts may be necessary. Keep in mind that these prices are for parts alone—hiring a professional to install them will cost around $80 to $120 per hour.
If your heat pump won’t turn on, you may need to replace the capacitor for around $20 to $75. This could also be a tripped circuit breaker, so be sure to check this before purchasing a new capacitor.
A replacement water pressure switch could run you $20 to $50. This part is often to blame if you get a “low water flow” error code when you know the pump receives enough water.
Your pool’s heat pump refrigeration components are one thing that you shouldn’t attempt to DIY. If you encounter an error code suggesting refrigerant issues, call a local pool heater repair technician.
If you’re having issues with your natural gas pool heater, start with some basic troubleshooting:
Ensure the unit’s power switch is on
Check that the thermostat is set to the proper temperature
Make sure the gas valves aren’t shut off
Clean out the skimmer baskets and pump pot if needed
If everything checks out, below are the costs to replace the most common faulty parts. Having a professional diagnose the problem and install the part will add an extra $80 to $120 per hour.
Replacing your gas pool heater’s flame sensor will cost an average of $20 to $200. If your pool heater turns on and shuts back off in a few seconds, this usually points to a bad flame sensor.
Replacing a faulty gas valve could cost $175 to $600 or more. If your heater doesn’t shut off once it reaches the target temperature, it could mean there’s an issue with the gas valve. This can result in dangerously high water temperatures, so it’s important to address it ASAP.
Getting a new pilot generator costs $60 to $140 on average. When this part fails, the whole circuit (including the pilot light) will go dark.
A new pressure switch for your gas pool heater could cost around $40 to $60. If you know there’s proper water flow in the system, but the heater still isn’t working, this may point to an issue with the pressure switch.
One of the most important things you can do for your solar pool heater is to perform routine inspections. Debris and dirt tend to build up over time, which will inevitably cause problems with the heater. Aside from that, here’s what to look for if you’re experiencing issues:
Leaking panels or plumbing
Dirty or blocked solar collectors
Dirty filters
Worn seals or collector glazing
Unplugged wires or tripped breakers
Panel valves that aren’t fully opened
Be sure to clean your collectors out regularly with warm, soapy water. For other issues, you may need these parts.
A new pump for your solar heater could cost anywhere from $200 to $500. If you spot small bubbles in the pool when your solar heater isn’t working, there might be an issue with the pump.
A new check valve typically costs $20 to $30. You may need to replace the check valve if you can hear water going through the system when it’s shut off.
For most structural issues with solar panels, you can purchase a repair kit for around $50 to $60. These contain a variety of plugs that can repair leaking riser tubes for a variety of models.
| Heater Type | DIY Repair Costs |
|---|---|
| Solar | $50–$400 |
| Gas | $150–$750 |
| Electric | $200–$500 |
The pool heater type and severity of the problem or damage greatly affect repair costs. Without the cost of labor, which can run between $80 to $120 per hour, you’re looking at the cost of parts. Solar pool heaters are the least complex and easiest to repair, with costs coming in between $50 to $400. Natural gas heaters fall into the $150 to $750 range, though somewhere between $250 to $500 tends to be more common.
Electric pool heaters are the most complex, and consequently, the repairs can skyrocket to $1,200, though most cost between $200 and $500. Keep in mind that in some cases, the heater can’t be fixed, or the cost of repairs rivals pool heater installation costs, in which case you might as well contact a local pro pool heater installer and replace the entire unit.
The pool heater might not be the only issue with the pool. Other pool repairs you might undertake at the same time could include repairing or replacing filters, adjusting water chemistry, or replacing pool tiles.
Pool inspection: $125–$250
Pool testing kits: $15–$20, plus the cost of chemicals to correct the water balance
Replacement filter: $150–$1,000
Drain pool: $180–$230
Drain repair: $400–$700
Refill pool: $55 per 5,000 gallons
Leak fix: $10–$3,500
Skimmer repair: $50–$300
Pool light replacement: $160–$730
Tile replacement: $20–$30 per tile
Some issues, like a clogged strainer basket, require little more than cleaning the basket with a hose, which costs you nothing except some time and energy.
Other pool repairs can include everything from detecting leaks and refilling the pool to beam repair and tile replacement. The price range is wide, so contacting a local pool repair service can be helpful if you’re unsure where the problem lies.
One of the best ways to avoid costly repairs is to keep up with monthly pool cleaning and maintenance. The average pool costs $230 per year to maintain, with $110 to $350 being within the normal range. Costs rise during high-use months in the spring and summer and go down when not using the pool. You may also need to factor in occasional pool inspection costs to identify problems lurking where inexperienced eyes may not see them.
However, how often you get the pool cleaned and the level of service you get can increase the price of yearly maintenance. Larger pools with more expensive heaters can also increase the yearly maintenance price. Of course, if you take a DIY approach, you may only need a professional cleaning or maintenance visit once a year.
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If you find your pool’s heater isn’t making the water hot enough, this might not be a problem with your heater—it might just be too cold outside. A solar cover for your pool for around $120 to $250 can help improve your heater’s efficiency.
Annual maintenance is the best way to avoid costly repairs and can range between $100 and $200. Watch for problems that may indicate your pool heater needs repair, such as excessive noise, increased energy bills, and problems with controls. Check your unit’s warranty for required maintenance procedures.
Lifespans vary based on the type of heater you have. Here are the averages:
Solar heaters: 10–20 years
Electric heat pumps: 5–10 years
Gas heaters: 5 years
