Heater with no internal insulation?

[lvrpl]

How less efficient do you think a heater would be without all the insulation on the inside of the side panels? Specifically, we've got an old Laars 330 BTU heater and it looks like rodents scratched away all that side insulation over the last few years.

This is our first winter with the pool (we bought the house this summer) and I thought the heater was shot but after a cleaning and servicing, it's working. Just wondering how much extra gas I'll burn to use it without the insulation. Also, we plan to use the heater to heat our spa only maybe 3 or 4 times a month from now through April - we probably won't ever heat the entire pool.

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[ps0303]

You will lose alot and there is a reason why it's there. It's important to remember that the insulation inside the unit is just like the insulation in your house. Plus the entire cabinet will get very hot as well and could be a hazard. So you are taking a risk operating the unit in the condition that it's in now.

 

[JamesW]

I wouldn't use a heater if it were not in good condition. Missing insulation is a significant issue. Heaters should only be operated when everything is good.

 

[lvrpl]

Thanks for the input, we'll definitely hold off on using it until we replace it.