FAQs About Swimming Pool & Spa Equipment

To maximize the enjoyment of your pool and spa, preventative maintenance services and upgrades such as heater tune-ups, filter changes or pump tune-ups are best taken care of before the season starts.  Having your heater, filter and pump in top condition means warm crystal clear water and reduced chemical expenses.

What guidelines should be followed in heating our pool?
Taking into consideration the need to conserve energy and to minimize fuel consumption, any unnecessary pool heating should be avoided. You are the best judge of the kind of use you want out of your pool. Use of your pool for recreation, exercise, therapy or just general enjoyment obviously will require heating it. Your pool won't contribute to your health or pleasure unless it's warm enough to swim in comfortably, and when you want to swim. Actually, using your home pool can be far less wasteful of energy and cost you less in fuel than driving to distant resort and vacation areas for away from home recreation.
For pointers on saving energy and cutting fuel costs, see the list of suggestions elsewhere on this page.

How warm should I keep my pool?
That depends entirely on you, of course. The temperature recommended for recreational and competitive sports swimming by the American Red Cross and many swimming coaches is 78°F. This comfort level coincides with good fuel conservation practice, too.
Young children, the elderly and others often need 80°F or warmer water however, and hydrotherapy calls for warmer water too.
Although 78°F to 82°F takes in about everyone, how warm you should keep your pool actually depends on personal preference.

Do we need to heat our pool when the weather's hot?
Again, it depends on you and your personal pool temperature preference. It also depends on the climate in your area and whether you use a good quality cover to conserve energy and heat.
Even using a cover, you'll probably have to heat your pool a little, particularly during summer cool spells and for morning and evening swimming.
It's a good idea to rely on a heater to brighten up the cool spots and lengthen the swimming season.

My pool pump doesn’t work.  What can I do?
One possible reason is because the motor isn't receiving any power.  You can first check the fuse box/circuit breaker.   Then be sure the timer is set correctly and has the right time.   If it has oil parts, oil the motor.

How can I fix my pool pump because it will not prime?
There are several possible causes.  The impeller or motor shaft is damaged and will need repair.  There are water leaks in the suction line or the valves aren't in the right position.  This will probably require a service call from a HOT POOLS technician to check for leaks and repair the line and/or change the position of the valve.

How can I correct high water pressure in my pool filter?
When a pool filter water pressure is either too high or too low it usually due to a water leak, a dirty blocked filter, or the valves are positioned incorrectly.  The filter’s water pressure can be balanced by repairing any water leaks, backwashing the filter, and/or changing the valves positions.

My pool heater just doesn’t heat like it should. What can I do to make it heat the pool better?
Possible Reasons
•  The unit isn't receiving gas.
•  The pilot is not lighted.
•  The gas valve is on the pilot setting.
•  Pressure switch tripped due to dirty coil.
What You Can Do
•  Check to see if the gas cock is in the right position.
•  Light the pilot or call for service.
•  Turn the pilot setting to the on position.
•  Backwash filter.