Heater bypass check valve question

[Lclark589]

Today my pool company finished plumbing in my new heat pump to my system. They plumbed it with a bypass so that I can control via 3-way valve whether flow goes A) filter>HP>pool or B) filter>propane heater>pool

I am planning to primarily use option A. I know it’s not ideal to let water sit in the propane heater and get stale. I was thinking that I could slightly adjust the 3-way valve to allow a small amount of water to pass through the propane heater while majority is diverted to the heat pump.

My question is whether I should be concerned if there is enough pressure with this approach to ensure the check valve leaving the propane heater can open, or is the placement of the HP outlet directly across the T going to potentially hold the check valve leaving the propane heater shut and create a dead head situation within my propane heater loop? Picture of the pad attached. Thank you!

 

[ajw22]

I was thinking that I could slightly adjust the 3-way valve to allow a small amount of water to pass through the propane heater while majority is diverted to the heat pump.

That will work fine leaving the bypass partially open to the HP.

If you play with the bypass valve as you watch your filter PSI you will see the point where the PSI drops. You do not need to close your HP inlet much more then that point to get the benefits of the bypass.

 

[Lclark589]

Thanks for the reply, I hadn’t considered using the filter pressure as a way to gauge the bypass. You don’t think I need to be concerned about the check valve being unable to open for the side with less flow passing through it?

 

[ajw22]

You don’t think I need to be concerned about the check valve being unable to open for the side with less flow passing through it?

Nope.