Should I be using my spa (spill-over) in DFW during the winter?

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sigmond

Member
Dec 10, 2019
13
Heath, TX
We have a 10k gallon pool/spa in the DFW area. We had the pool built in 2019. I have kept it open all year round, maintaining sanitation and LSI. We have used the spa year round (more in the winter). I have read somewhere that it is not recommended to use the spa in the winter (under some temperature threshold) - that it may damage the equipment. Is this true?

Q: Should I be using my spa (spill-over) in DFW during the winter?
 
sigmond said:
Q: Should I be using my spa (spill-over) in DFW during the winter?
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Yes, and you should invite us all over. :)

You're not going to freeze, I presume, so no worries. But do investigate tracking CSI instead of LSI. That's what we do here at TFP. There's an app for that: PoolMath
 
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ajw22 said:
Read the wiki. Pentair MasterTemp Manual warns about corrosive condensation when water temperature below 68F.
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I have read that section in the manual ... but is says "continuously" ...

"Operating this heater continuously at water temperatures below 68° F. (20° C) will cause harmful condensation and will damage
the heater and void the warranty."

It takes 25 minutes to get it from 50 to 68. I only turn it on to bring the spa up to 102 ... for a soak once or twice a week.
 
sigmond said:
I have read that section in the manual ... but is says "continuously" ...

"Operating this heater continuously at water temperatures below 68° F. (20° C) will cause harmful condensation and will damage
the heater and void the warranty."

It takes 25 minutes to get it from 50 to 68. I only turn it on to bring the spa up to 102 ... for a soak once or twice a week.
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Yeah I’d love to see somebody in Texas who had damage to their Master Temp when running it in the winter for a Spa. I mean if you can’t run the Spa in the Winter down here what’s the point?? You going to run it in the 100 degree Summer?? Lol
 
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Bvacchiano said:
Yeah I’d love to see somebody in Texas who had damage to their Master Temp when running it in the winter for a Spa. I mean if you can’t run the Spa in the Winter down here what’s the point?? You going to run it in the 100 degree Summer?? Lol
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We see those folks who ask why their heat exchanger is leaking after a few years and why their heater is not lasting longer.

Just plan that it may cost you $2000-$5000 every few years for the enjoyment of using your spa in the winter.
 
ajw22 said:
We see those folks who ask why their heat exchanger is leaking after a few years and why their heater is not lasting longer.

Just plan that it may cost you $2000-$5000 every few years for the enjoyment of using your spa in the winter.
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So, to be clear ... Your recommendation would be to only use the heater, when the water temp is > 68 ... correct?
 
sigmond said:
So, to be clear ... Your recommendation would be to only use the heater, when the water temp is > 68 ... correct?
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Use of the heater with water temperature below 68 causes corrosive condensation on the heat exchanger that is cumulative. Each cycle you run pours a bit of acid inside the heater.

Run it a few times at the beginning of the season to heat the pool and spa above 68F and the heater can take it. Run it a few times a week over many weeks and the acid you create will erode the copper heat exchanger over time. How much time is impossible to say.

There is a reason Pentair publishes that warning and says it will void the warranty.
 
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ajw22 said:
Use of the heater with water temperature below 68 causes corrosive condensation on the heat exchanger that is cumulative. Each cycle you run pours a bit of acid inside the heater.

Run it a few times at the beginning of the season to heat the pool and spa above 68F and the heater can take it. Run it a few times a week over many weeks and the acid you create will erode the copper heat exchanger over time. How much time is impossible to say.

There is a reason Pentair publishes that warning and says it will void the warranty.
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Thank u, for the prompt response.
 
I looked up my heater and it states 40F. Are the materials different in heaters?

"Do not operate the heater if the water temperature is below 40 °F (4°C)
• Short term operation of heater when temps are below 40F can continue but continuous flow must be maintained.
• Prolonged operation with water below 50F can seriously damage the heater and is not covered by warranty."
 
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mfifield01 said:
I looked up my heater and it states 40F. Are the materials different in heaters?
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Yes, there are different designs used for handing the exhaust and condensation in gas heaters.

I would still be cautious with operating your heater with cold water. Notice that Jandy puts no time on what they mean by "prolonged" when they say prolonged operation with water below 50F can seriously damage the heater and is not covered by warranty.
 
The issue with operating the heater at such cold temps is if you turn the heater off before the temp reaches above 68f (or whatever the threshold is). If the heater is turned off before the temp reaches 68f (or whatever the threshold is), this is when the problematic condensation inside the heat exchanger occurs. If the heater is turned on and left on until the water temp is way above the threshold, such as the 102f stated, there should be no issues.
 
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DavidArmenB said:
The issue with operating the heater at such cold temps is if you turn the heater off before the temp reaches above 68f (or whatever the threshold is). If the heater is turned off before the temp reaches 68f (or whatever the threshold is), this is when the problematic condensation inside the heat exchanger occurs. If the heater is turned on and left on until the water temp is way above the threshold, such as the 102f stated, there should be no issues.
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Yes I agree. I believe this issue is not very well explained. Lots of ambiguity here. I don’t think anybody knows for sure.
 
I use mine all of the time in the winter in the Dallas area. My understanding is that you are not supposed to let it cycle on/off for long periods of time. Going from a cold body of water to a warm body of water should have the heater running pretty much constantly and not cycling until it gets to your desired temp.

I have 3 years under my belt, so I guess we will see on the longevity aspect, but I'm fine if my responsible use of my heater in the winter shortens the heater life by a year or so. That sure beats paying for something you hardly use.
 
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JJ_Tex said:
I use mine all of the time in the winter in the Dallas area. My understanding is that you are not supposed to let it cycle on/off for long periods of time. Going from a cold body of water to a warm body of water should have the heater running pretty much constantly and not cycling until it gets to your desired temp.
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Since a spa is a small volume of water (usually) so it heats up quickly with a gas heater so the exposure to condensation formation is minimized. It is correct to heat continuously to reach 70+ degrees. The only drawback to enjoying the warm spa is when the wind is blowing And you step out of the spa!!!
 
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