I followed the TFP recommendation and added a bypass valve for my heater when I was building my pool. In the summer, when I don't use my pool heater, I let the water bypass the heater. I am wondering if I should also drain my heater (in the summer) by removing its drain plug?
Pool with Heater bypass - Should I drain the heater?
- Thread starter tfp_fan
- Start date
DrewLG
Gold Supporter
You could. Or you could adjust the valve's stop position so that there's always at least a little water allowed to flow through the heater.
It was not clear to me why to let a little water always flow through the heater? Would you please clarify? Thank you.
DrewLG
Gold Supporter
The heater's internal piping restricts water flow and makes the pump work harder to push water through the system. The main purpose of the bypass valve is to remove this restriction while the heater isn't being used, in order to improve water circulation and save energy.
The downside of the valve is that if it completely bypasses the heater, water will be trapped inside, and that stagnant water can damage the heater. Which I presume is the reason you're considering draining the water.
If you adjust the valve so it doesn't completely bypass the heater, but instead directs ALMOST all water around the heater while allowing a small amount to continue to flow through the heater, you'll get essentially all of the water-circulation / energy-saving benefits of the complete bypass, but without the risk of trapping potentially damaging water inside.
The downside of the valve is that if it completely bypasses the heater, water will be trapped inside, and that stagnant water can damage the heater. Which I presume is the reason you're considering draining the water.
If you adjust the valve so it doesn't completely bypass the heater, but instead directs ALMOST all water around the heater while allowing a small amount to continue to flow through the heater, you'll get essentially all of the water-circulation / energy-saving benefits of the complete bypass, but without the risk of trapping potentially damaging water inside.
Thank you for the information. But won't the problem be solved if I remove the drain plug to let the trapped water in the heater get drained?
DrewLG
Gold Supporter
Oh yeah, absolutely. The only difference is that once you set the bypass to less than 100%, you never have to think about it again.