Hi folks -
Looking for input from others with large SWG pool experience. Our 70k gal pool is used year-round in N. California. Our 42 month-old Raypak ASME 406A has died; the cupronickel exchanger has corroded from the outside and sprung a leak over the pilot. I'm looking for replacement options/suggestions.
Pool is a lap pool used for an average of 2 hrs every morning; the rest of the time it is covered with a commercial-grade cover. Pool chemistry is rock solid year-round: Cl maintained between 1.8-2.8, pH between 7.4-7.8, salt 3200, alkalinity 100, calcium hardness 400. Since we cover the pool 90% of the time, we don't uses CYA.
During the summer the heater is rarely used. For the rest of the year, the heater comes on anywhere from 1-8 hrs before we swim in the morning, to bring the temp up to 80 degrees. (Pool temp rises a bit more that 1/2 degree per hour, so worst case, we are starting with 76 degree pool water). Winter air temps can be down to high 30s, although all equipment is in a well ventilated equipment shed. Local pool guru believes that the daily cycling of the heater is leading to condensation causing corrosion leading to the leak, and since we use the pool year-round instead of only during the summer, the just over 3 year life is believable.
Options we're considering:
(1) get a new 406A and watch for any future heat exchanger leaks. If/when they occur, replace it immediately before it causes any other damage. Downside: the cupronickel exchangers are very expensive ~ $2500 plus installation. Also, our previous 406A was a 'howler', making a loud whistling or whining noise that annoyed us and the neighbors.
(2) get a high efficiency heater with a titanium exchanger. Thought being that since we spend a lot on natural gas (~$15k/yr), the 10% efficiency gains would offset the higher upfront cost over the longer lifespan. But how much longer lifespan will we see with a hi-e heater? And which heater?
(3) look at a small boiler solution? Don't know if it would make sense for our size pool and usage model.
I welcome any and all suggestions!
Looking for input from others with large SWG pool experience. Our 70k gal pool is used year-round in N. California. Our 42 month-old Raypak ASME 406A has died; the cupronickel exchanger has corroded from the outside and sprung a leak over the pilot. I'm looking for replacement options/suggestions.
Pool is a lap pool used for an average of 2 hrs every morning; the rest of the time it is covered with a commercial-grade cover. Pool chemistry is rock solid year-round: Cl maintained between 1.8-2.8, pH between 7.4-7.8, salt 3200, alkalinity 100, calcium hardness 400. Since we cover the pool 90% of the time, we don't uses CYA.
During the summer the heater is rarely used. For the rest of the year, the heater comes on anywhere from 1-8 hrs before we swim in the morning, to bring the temp up to 80 degrees. (Pool temp rises a bit more that 1/2 degree per hour, so worst case, we are starting with 76 degree pool water). Winter air temps can be down to high 30s, although all equipment is in a well ventilated equipment shed. Local pool guru believes that the daily cycling of the heater is leading to condensation causing corrosion leading to the leak, and since we use the pool year-round instead of only during the summer, the just over 3 year life is believable.
Options we're considering:
(1) get a new 406A and watch for any future heat exchanger leaks. If/when they occur, replace it immediately before it causes any other damage. Downside: the cupronickel exchangers are very expensive ~ $2500 plus installation. Also, our previous 406A was a 'howler', making a loud whistling or whining noise that annoyed us and the neighbors.
(2) get a high efficiency heater with a titanium exchanger. Thought being that since we spend a lot on natural gas (~$15k/yr), the 10% efficiency gains would offset the higher upfront cost over the longer lifespan. But how much longer lifespan will we see with a hi-e heater? And which heater?
(3) look at a small boiler solution? Don't know if it would make sense for our size pool and usage model.
I welcome any and all suggestions!
